Acushnet board imposes temporary hiring freeze, appoints assistant town accountant

The Acushnet Board of Selectmen voted Feb. 25 to impose a temporary hiring freeze for vacant positions effective Feb. 26, 2025, while exempting finance roles and other necessary appointments. The board said the freeze is intended to require a critical review before filling positions amid fiscal scrutiny.

The move came as the board discussed staffing pressures and a desire to consolidate functions where feasible. "Before we fill a position we have a conversation and do a critical review of that function," a selectman said during debate, urging savings and operational creativity.

Immediately following the vote, the board appointed Jamie Lynn Velasquez to the assistant town accountant position, "subject to any recruitment negotiations," and discussed onboarding steps. Velasquez, who introduced herself to the board, said she lives locally and has extensive municipal experience: "I've worked multiple areas so I have great experience and thorough knowledge of all the laws and know how they all work and I look forward to working with everybody in town." The board recorded a salary figure for the appointment in the meeting materials as $60,000.

Board members noted that the hiring freeze will not apply to openings that directly affect town operations or livelihoods. They also emphasized the need to follow union protocols for positions subject to collective-bargaining agreements and to provide written offers and notifications to affected unions where required.

The board instructed staff to consolidate guidance on how the freeze will be applied and to proceed with necessary onboarding for approved appointments.