north brookfield board of selectmen

They serve as the town's Chief Executive Officers. Matt Grimes, former chair of the Brookfield Republican Town Committee, filed in March torun for the Republican nomination for first selectman. We're telling them they can't put on a show that exhibits the flaunting of human sexuality in an exaggerated manner. Her work has also been published on ConnecticutHistory.org. Their decision, to instill the First Annual Independence Day Festival, in the middle of a pandemic that has claimed more than 128,000 lives, disrespects the concept of patriotism being used to justify the event. "The dialogue happening is not positive and that makes me sad in North Brookfield," said Susan Lyons. Four other people seek a seat on the three-member Board of Selectmen this November. The pandemic has killed over 8,000 people in Massachusetts. Music, food, and drinks. The Board of Selectman, in their capacity as elected officials, having the Ultimate Authority,' are responsible for any and all consequences of such an event along with the Sponsors of said event.. When asked if he thought the town may be ready for a potential lawsuit over the matter, Petraitis said, "I do. Canada said she has attended Pride events with drag performers in the past and never found them inappropriate. For now, the selectmen will only say they're consulting with their own legal counsel. Heres a look at the latest coronavirus numbers in Massachusetts, including case numbers, deaths, demographics, and more. Were going to really just try to keep moving forward in a positive way and figure out ways we can bring everybody together, Marie said. As for the content of the show itself, Bovenzi said it wasn't being planned as the vulgar picture some opponents have painted. Join the one in a thousand users that support us financiallyif our library is useful to you, please pitch in. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Home Boards & Committees Board of Selectmen Click Here to contact the Board of Selectmen The Board of Selectmen is a three member board elected for staggered three year terms. 100 Pocono Road, Brookfield, CT 06804 Since drag is considered adult entertainment, he said, it would have to go to a private establishment and have that establishment apply for a special permit. Last week, they voted to exclude the drag show from the permit, while keeping the rest of the event intact. "If you dont want to see it, dont want to experience this joy, dont want your children to experience the joy and knowledge that in America, even people who are different can be accepted, then dont go.. Phone: (203) 775-7301. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our, North Brookfield pride organizers wont do event unless drag performers allowed, JetBlue to end flights to New York from Worcester airport, WRTA to extend free fares through June 2024 following board vote. He said the caucus will then make the party endorsement, and a primary will be held if a prospective candidate challenges the endorsement. Boards & Committees Agricultural Commission Board of Assessors Board of Health Board of Selectmen Cemetery Commission Conservation Commission Council on Aging Cultural Council Downtown Development Committee After voting to rescind its initial approval, the Select Board voted again, 2-1 the only "no" vote coming from Canada to approve the event with the caveat that any kind of drag performance be excluded. He said that all events, including dance performances, would have to undergo a review to ensure they were family friendly. We are seeking clarification from the Town about some of the details of its latest decision. In North Brookfield, the Board of Selectmen is plowing ahead with plans for its 1st annual Fourth of July extravaganza one they say could attract around 250 revelers decked out in red, white, and blue. Belden who was previously a Republican but is currently unaffiliated seeks a spot on the Board of Selectmen, according to the Brookfield Democrats. The boards decision comes at a time when Tennessee lawmakers are looking to restrict public drag performances and other states are taking similar measures, according to Borquin the ACLU is tracking 467 anti-LGBTQ bills in the United States. NORTH BROOKFIELD - A battle is brewing in the town of North Brookfield over a Pride event and whether a drag show should be allowed as part of the celebration on the town common June 24. My decisions will continue to be based on what is morally and ethically correct, and what will make Brookfields future as bright and steady as we can.. See the latest COVID-19 data from Mass. ", In the ACLU letter, the group alleged that at a meeting on Tuesday, Petraitis described drag performances as "vulgar and rude.". I am not condemning it, he said, but there was no uproar about that happening., Fitzgerald Pucci, who helped organize the Black Lives Matter demonstration, said the selectmens choice to use the march as an argument for a July Fourth parade shows how reactionary and short-sighted the culture still is., When we marched, we intended to begin an uncomfortable conversation, Pucci said in an e-mail. "The decision was based on the majoritys conclusion that a drag show is not 'family friendly' and is 'wrong,' " the ACLU said. "I'm not restricting free speech," Petraitis said. Water Department Wiring Inspector Click Here for all Departments. Learn More. Phone: 508-867-0200. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. However, Chairman Jason Petraitis said the boards permission isnt necessary to hold an event on the common, which he said is open to the public. United States. North Brookfield Board of Selectmen Meeting July 6th, 2021 by North Brookfield Local Public Access Cable Publication date 2021-07-07 Topics North Brookfield, Massachusetts, North Brookfield Local Public Access Cable, NB LPAC, Public Access TV, Community Media, PEG, Youtube, 2021, North Brookfield Board of Selectmen, Government Meeting Language Please enter valid email address to continue. North Brookfield Board of Selectmen denies drag show during Pride event on town common. Were still kind of waiting for clarification, Marie said. "We're not telling people they can't dress a certain way. N ORTH BROOKFIELD - A battle is brewing in the town of North Brookfield over a Pride event and whether a . A parade up Main Street. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2013 with a bachelors degree in journalism and a minor in psychology. The North Brookfield Town Common is a traditional public forum where protection for free expression rights is at its height. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In North Brookfield, the Board of Selectmen is plowing ahead with plans for its , The plan has widened an apparent rift between elected officials there, with members of the three-person Board of Selectmen arguing that if people were allowed to gather for. John Hauser I was saddened and disappointed that at this day and age, people are still attacking the LGBTQIA+ community, especially the drag entertainers and the trans people in our community," Bovenzi said. I dont think its adult entertainment its freedom of expression, Canada said. "The majority of shows include sexual innuendo and include behavior that exaggerates all aspects of individual sexuality," said chairman Jason Petraitis. I've never seen anything that's been unsavory to anybody and I trust that our police force would enforce anything that's unlawful or adult in nature.". This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. They said the event could go on without the drag show. Were still in limbo.. BROOKFIELD Republican Harry Shaker plans to seek a fourth two-year term on the Board of Selectmen in this November's election. The North Brookfield select board voted Tuesday night to rescind a previous vote to deny a permit for the Rural Justice Network's "Small Town Pride Day" on the town common in June because it. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. "We are pleased that the explicit ban on drag performance has been removed," the group said in a statement Wednesday. At a time when other states are seeing a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases, Borowski said, its not the time to take the foot off the brake here in Massachusetts. Annual Town Meeting: May 5, 2023 May, Friday following Election Municipal Election: May 1, 2023 Republican Harry Shaker is sworn in for a third term as a Brookfield selectman in December 2021. He went on to say that North Brookfield has a prohibition on all adult entertainment except by special permit and only in the industrial zones. Assistance is available for eligible CT Homeowners who have experienced a COVID-19 related financial hardship. 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"If they want to have it anywhere else on private property, we can't stop that, we wouldn't have a problem then I would protest by not going," Branciforte said. "Last year, I was there as a protest standout.. The organizers of a Small Town Pride event in North Brookfield are pretty positive they can go forward with their event, but they said there are a few details that need to be worked out. Were hoping that if we continue to play our cards right, we will be able to have the best outcome for everyone, Orpilla said. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. "But that does not mean they can't still have the event on their own. 123 views Streamed 5 days ago New North Brookfield Board of Selectmen Meeting April 25th, 2023 Streamed 1 month ago Streamed 3 weeks ago Streamed 3 weeks ago 5 years ago It's cable reimagined No. The video of the meeting, which saw a larger crowd compared to the March meeting, shows Petraitis and Tripp raising concerns about the event and whether it would be "family friendly.". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. They were presenting it as a gay pride event, and I had gone to the one in West Brookfield last year, so it is 100% drag queen, and theyre very lewd, very inappropriate thing to do in front of children," said Joanne Carey. They said they equated it to cabaret," he said. A flag wet from the rain hung on a fence in North Brookfield, where selectmen are planning a July Fourth celebration despite the Board of Health's warnings. But according to board Chair Jason Petraitis, one of the two members who abstained and who has in the past expressed opposition to a drag show, the organizers of the event don't need town permission. The North Brookfield select board voted Tuesday night to rescind a previous vote to deny a permit for the Rural Justice Network's "Small Town Pride Day" on the town common in June because it included a drag show, which two members of the three-member board said violated restrictions on "adult entertainment.". Coalition for the Homeless v. Republican Harry Shaker, pictured in October 2017, announced Tuesday that hes seeking a fourth term as a Brookfield selectman. North Brookfield Board of Selectmen Meeting September 15th, 2020 It implicates the First Amendment right to freely assemble, he said, though a lawsuit challenging a similar ban on gatherings in New Hampshire on those grounds was swiftly rejected. They do not have the right to retroactively disguise themselves as a protest. Address: 100 Pocono Road . North Brookfield Board of Selectmen Meeting August 3rd . After more than a decade on the towns school board, Shaker joined the Board of Selectmen after a run for first selectman in 2017. Pressed on what he meant by "exaggerated view of human sexuality," Petraitis said he didn't think it needed to be expanded upon. The Selectmen's decision is a slap in the face to the concept of patriotism that serves a personal desire for gratification. "I. The North Brookfield Board of Selectmen failed to approve requested permitting for a Pride event, but then said their approval wasn't necessary for the event to be held. He plans to run for reelection this November. But Tripp said he could not see how it would not be inappropriate, or considered adult entertainment. Search the history of over 821 billion My focus right now is on being reelected, he said. "The Small Town Pride event is not a commercial or industrial use. Im not sure if this no vote shuts down our communication with the town if its still open, its just a piece of paper that were missing and in that case its fine, Marie said. - Jason Patraitis, chair of the North Brookfield Board of Selectmen, read a statement earlier this month on why the town rescinded the permit for a local drag show. A public gathering of this size with the attractions described . Board of Selectmen Meeting Videos; FY 2022-2023 BOS Budget presented to BOF; Contact Info . All rights reserved. Mass. Im just completing my sixth year, and I believe its the position where I would be most effective, he told Hearst Connecticut Media on Wednesday. Their civil rights are being violated, but pushing this on us, our civil rights are being violated.. Childrens activities on the common. The Board of Health disclaims any and all liability which may be incurred from attendance at such an event, said the statement, which recommended people wear masks and practice social distancing. The Board does not have the right to change their rules when the please. A lot of us feel opposed to the selectmens choice to roll the dice with the towns public health. All rights reserved (About Us). But without compromising our morals and our values and our existence.. And the cited provisions are not applicable to use of the traditional public forum of the Town Common.". Though the group is trying to stay positive, Marie said she was very disappointed by some of the comments the board has made in reference to the event. NORTH BROOKFIELD, Mass. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. In the video of the meeting, the crowd attending began to push back against Canada, requiring Petraitis to step in and calm the crowd. "Even the ACLU said it in their letter. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023). web pages In the meantime, the group is focusing on its upcoming Queer Prom. This deeply disrespects the work of actual organizers who congregated to protect black lives, and defrauds the movement. All rights reserved (About Us). The group is not exactly sure what they will be allowed to do, since the board did not grant them those permits but said they dont need permission to use the common. Im not sure if Im interested in any of their personal beliefs, I just want them to uphold what the rules are for our community.. North Brookfield denies drag show during Pride event on town common. The Queer Prom is scheduled at Timberyard Brewing Company in East Brookfield on May 13 and is an 18-and-older event. Three days after the June 23 meeting, the Board of Health posted a message to its Facebook page reiterating its objection to the Fourth of July party. Petraitis said the town has never approved or been asked to approve flying . The Massachusetts ACLU sent a letter to the board on Tuesday urging members to rescind the decision because it is a violation of free speech, the ACLU said in a press release Wednesday. The Tuesday vote is the latest in aback-and-forthover the event. She then asked if the Select Board should put restrictions on other events after categorizing drag performances as "adult entertainment," despite not giving a clear definition of how it would fully under that category. Steve Annear can be reached at steve.annear@globe.com. Together, I believe we will be able to get the town of Brookfield moving forward again in the right direction., In addition to a lack of cooperation among town boards, Shaker said other issues that led to his decision to run for reelection include the delayed opening of Brookfields new elementary school, a need for additional oversight and clarification when it comes to open-ended policies and concerns regarding special education in our school system and the need for a comprehensive plan for the police station., Shaker said he hopes to be reelected to the Board of Selectmen so he can continue serving the town and work with its leaders on a better way forward.. A patriotic laser light show. "Three of us were filming with NBC News about the pride . Shaker has not yet endorsed a candidate for first selectman and told Hearst Connecticut Media on Wednesday that he plans to do so sometime soon. The North Brookfield Board of Selectmen, which has three members, voted unanimously to hold a July 4 event on Saturday. The group has also received incredible waves of support from several organizations following the publicity around the boards previous decision not to allow drag in the common. Jason Petraitis. North Brookfield Board of Selectmen Meeting April 11th, 2023 2023 The Associated Press. "It's freedom of expression. ", Canada disputed that characterization, but Tripp said that "whatever they're doing is wrong in my mind.". Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The ACLU of Massachusetts sent the board a letter on April 18 urging the board to reverse its decision blocking drag, calling it unconstitutional, a form of censorship and unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex. Anthony Bovenzi is president of Northern Worcester County Pride, and was also supposed to be the emcee at the drag show. The Board of Selectmen noted that they felt they had the "ultimate authority" to make the decision. 642 confirmed cases and 10 deaths in a week. The select board at a meeting in March at first approved Rural Justice Network's request. In a letter to the board dated April 18, Bourquin wrote that not allowing the drag show is a plainly unconstitutional content-based and indeed viewpoint-based restriction on free expression, a form of censorship and unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex. He said he has no plans to attend the July Fourth event, and believes selectmen have mischaracterized the Black Lives Matter rally, which he went to. "We are seeking clarification from the town about some of the details of its latest decision," the civil rights organization said. "Because it's clearly something that is for adults.". Susan Lyons with the group believes it's been blown out of proportion. Ive been to these events. NORTH BROOKFIELD - A battle is brewing in the town of North Brookfield over a Pride event and whether a drag show should be allowed as part of the celebration on the town common June 24. 100 Pocono Road, Brookfield, CT 06804Phone: (203) 775-7300Government Websites by CivicPlus , Get DirectionsBrookfield is a Recovery Friendly Community, WESTCO -Western Connecticut Council of Goverments, *** NEW TOWN HALL HOURS BEGIN JUNE 2ND ***, Brookfield Farmers Market - June 16th to October 20th, Brookfield Residential Yard Refuse Center - Opening April 15, 2023.

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