Wrentham Select Board makes four appointments and approves three special events in July session

WRENTHAM -- July 15, 2026, Wrentham Select Board fills four committee vacancies and flags a Rice Complex pavilion budget shortfall at its July 15 remote meeting. The board voted 5-0 on all actions, appointing Kathleen Hallett to the Cable Advisory Committee as the Verizon subscriber representative through June 30, 2029, at a critical moment, Town Manager Mike King noted the committee has only two of its five seats filled and is actively negotiating a Verizon cable license set to expire in December. The board also appointed Finance Director Christine Dupress to the Roderick School Building Committee as the town budget official representative, accepted with regrets the resignation of Jean Lightbody from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and introduced new Director of Planning and Economic Development Shane O'Brien, formerly of Bridgewater. Three special event permits were approved unanimously: a hot tub and swim spa blowout sale at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets July 23 through August 5, an annual fireworks display at Lake Pearl on August 8, and Republic Services' fourth annual Truck Rodeo on August 29. King's town manager report disclosed that all bids for a new pavilion at the Rice Complex exceeded the $208,000 Community Preservation Act appropriation, with the lowest bid totaling approximately $383,000; staff are evaluating procurement options. The board also authorized $13,932 in Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Fund expenditures for tree treatment and removal at Center Cemetery.