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Newton selectmen approve firefighter hire, two police officers and a slate of abatements
Summary
The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved hiring a new firefighter and two full‑time police officers, granted and denied recommended tax abatements as listed by the assessor, approved the consent agenda and unsealed one set of minutes (with one abstention).
The Newton Board of Selectmen on June 16 approved a series of routine personnel hires and financial items, including a temporary firefighter hire, two police‑department hires and multiple tax‑abatement decisions.
The board moved to hire Jocelyn McCarville as a pro firefighter/EMT at an hourly rate of $24 pending required qualifications. Joe moved the motion and it was seconded; the board voted in favor.
During the police‑department portion of the meeting the police chief presented May activity statistics and asked the board to make two police officers permanent full‑time staff members. The board approved hires for Julio Velasquez and Bryce Eckstein after the chief said both candidates had completed background checks, polygraphs, psych and medical exams.
The board also approved a group of tax abatements recommended by the assessor for several parcels and separately approved denials for another listed set of abatement requests. The selectmen approved the consent agenda and voted to unseal the nonpublic minutes from Aug. 20, 2024; the record shows Ashley abstained from the motion to unseal.
Why it matters: The hires fill staffing positions in public safety and the abatements reflect routine fiscal administration; the unsealing of minutes makes previously private deliberations public and clarifies background on a pending land‑purchase issue discussed later in the meeting.
The board adjourned following the listed votes. The town clerk will publish the updated minutes and the administrator will distribute materials submitted by residents earlier in the meeting.
