Raynham Select Board Address School Funding Uncertainty as Overrides Fail
Regional School Committee faces budget deadline after override vote failures leaves district without certified fiscal 2026 spending plan
RAYNHAM - June 24 - The Raynham Board of Selectmen discussed the uncertain future of regional school funding at their Tuesday meeting, following Bridgewater voters' rejection of a Proposition 2½ override that leaves the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District without a certified budget for fiscal year 2026. Raynham voters similarly rejected their proposed override, with results being finalized after the Select Board’s June 24th meeting.
Chairman Pat Riley addressed the override issue during her Select Board report, acknowledging community concerns about what happens next the results.
"I know there are a lot of questions from the override issue and what happens next since Bridgewater voters in the account election on Saturday rejected the override," Riley said. "Of course a lot will depend on yourself to go out here in Raynham regardless of the results."
The Regional School Committee and towns face a tight deadline to resolve the budget crisis, with the new fiscal year beginning July 1.
"The next step is that the Regional School Committee will meet tomorrow night (June 25th) beginning at 7 o'clock at the Raynham Middle School," Riley said. "And because of Bridgewater's no votes, they don't currently have a certified budget for fiscal year 2026, which they must have by June 30 since the new fiscal year begins on July 1." As noted, Raynham also rejected their override measure later on June 24th.
The selectmen approved several financial contracts during the meeting, including a $100,000 general engineering consulting services agreement with Green and Peterson Incorporated for the highway department. Town Administrator Gregory Barnes recommended the year-long contract for as-needed engineering services.
The board also approved a $5,400 contract with Water and Wetlands for the Johnson Pond management program, which Barnes explained involves using herbicides to remove weeds from the pond. The Select Board had previously voted on a line item transfer with the Finance Committee to fund this project.
Additional contract approvals included fiscal year 2026 DPW supply contracts through the Southeastern Regional Service Group covering manholes and related municipal items, as well as paper and office supply contracts for the coming fiscal years.
The board voted to award the highway department's 2025-2026 fertilizer, weeds and insect control services contract to TruGreen Commercial, based on recommendations from both Barnes and Highway Superintendent Norm Sturtevant.
In personnel matters, the selectmen approved a 1% merit pay increase for Police Chief David LaPlante, effective July 1, following a performance evaluation conducted by Riley and Barnes.
"Based on the board's vote at our last meeting, I did come up with an evaluation form and represent the board in conducting that evaluation along with our town administrator," Riley said. "Mr. Barnes and I will sit down with Chief LaPlant and review the details of that. And I can report to you that based on our findings, Mr. Barnes and I recommend the merit pay for Chief LaPlant effective July 1st."
In emergency business, the board appointed Barnes as interim tree warden following the unexpected retirement of longtime tree warden Brian Gladman as of June 30. The appointment allows completion of a permit for utility line clearing by TMLP contractors.
"Unexpectedly he was approached by a contractor yesterday. About every five years the TMLP clears along the utility lines," Barnes said. "It turns out they have plans to do that now, but that had never been conveyed to the town until literally yesterday."
**Other Business Conducted:**
• Health Director Paula Rossi-Clapp reported all 24 permitted tobacco businesses have been inspected under new regulations, with five receiving verbal warnings and one receiving a fine
• Library Director Karen O'Brien announced federal funding cuts affecting public libraries, including loss of 15 databases and talking books for the blind as of July 1
• The board approved the annual Raynham Community Day celebration at Borden Colony for Sunday, Sept. 28, with a rain date of Oct. 5
• Multiple reappointments were approved for various town boards and committees with terms extending through 2026-2028
• Tag day requests were approved for Full Force All Star Cheer and Cub Scout Pack 49
• A public hearing was held for Ryan Family Amusements LLC's corporate name structure change at 115 New State Highway
• The board referred a letter of interest from Ted Hutchinson for the Historical Commission to that body for consideration
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of the Raynham Channel.
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