The Raynham Channel

Raynham
  • 0.0 (0)
  • ARTS

Welcome to Raynham Community Access & Media (RAYCAM), where we engage, learn, and create community access media. We are dedicated to providing a platform for all voices to be heard and shared. Join us in creating a vibrant and inclusive media community.

  1. DEC 15

    Conservation Commission 12/03/2025

    (Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy) A full room, a tight riverbank, and a developer citing a prior waiver set the tone for a detailed, grounded conversation about how growth meets wetlands. We walk through the Lockwood River Walk modification, compare plans to what’s actually in the field, and push for clear erosion controls, intact wetland flags, and verified dewatering practices before any new work proceeds. The design team explains the choice to use retaining walls near sensitive edges, while we press on distances, signage to prevent backyard creep, and who holds the bag on long-term compliance once units turn over to an HOA. Not everything is a battle. Two single-family homes at 40 Spruce Street and 20 Cypress Way move forward with orders of conditions after DEP numbers arrive and erosion controls are staked. A separate RDA for 59 New State Highway stays on existing pavement to replace concrete pads and restripe, earning a fast negative determination thanks to tight scope and clear silt protection. These quick, clean filings highlight how right-sized work with predictable impacts can move efficiently through conservation review. Community concerns keep us honest. A neighbor hauling trash from the riverbank asks how to remove a car engine lodged near the water; we discuss practical limits and commit to consult the DPW. Trail stewards report a year of clearing, wildlife observations, and a suggestion for a simple kiosk to orient visitors and share conservation tips. We also clarify jurisdiction on beaver flooding—MassWildlife handles nuisance wildlife—and share a spotted lanternfly alert that matters to anyone with grapes, hops, or maples. If you care about wetlands protection, stormwater, and keeping town processes fair and workable for both residents and builders, this meeting is a case study in drawing lines you can defend. Subscribe, share with a neighbor who cares about local rivers, and tell us: how would you balance housing and habitat where you live? Support the show https://www.raynhaminfo.com/ Copyright RAYCAM INC. 2025

    50 min

  2. DEC 15

    Parks and Recreation 12/02/2025

    (Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy) Ever wonder how community traditions, parks, and youth programs actually get built? We walk you through a full meeting where small votes and big ambitions meet: from a smooth rental property update to the glow of next Saturday’s tree lighting and the final scheduling puzzle for Santa’s Calling. Along the way, the Lions Club earns a one-day liquor license for its Super Bowl social, and we set our path for 2026 meeting dates with an eye on flexibility around the Fourth. The heart of the conversation is a dog park that just won’t quit. We unspool the history—multiple public hearings, site concerns near a gun range, and the perennial challenge of finding a location the town can support. The solution is clear: a resident-led committee willing to form a board, pursue grants like the Stanton Foundation, and present a site that can win Town Meeting approval. If you’ve wanted a dog park, this is your cue to step forward and help carry the torch. We also get real about youth basketball—great sign-ups, not enough coaches—explaining why practices were pushed a week while we recruited volunteers. On facilities, we outline plans to gather quotes for resurfacing tennis courts and adding pickleball lines at two locations, with a potential funding article for spring Town Meeting. There’s community fun in the mix too: limited Bruins and Celtics tickets, plus an umpire group booking our meeting room, turning public space into a hub for local activity. If you care about parks, courts, or kids’ sports, you’ll hear how decisions get made and how much depends on neighbors who step up. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves local projects, and leave a review telling us which community improvement you’d support next. Support the show https://www.raynhaminfo.com/ Copyright RAYCAM INC. 2025

    19 min

  3. DEC 15

    Planning Board 12/04/2025

    (Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy) A tired mid-century plaza gets a second act—and the details matter. We walk through the full approval to bring Tractor Supply into 59 New State Highway, transforming the former Big Lots with a new facade, a relocated entrance, and carefully planned outdoor sales and trailer display areas that preserve sight lines and protect pedestrians. The conversation digs into the nuts and bolts of good site planning: right-turn-only traffic control at a busy exit, stone replacing mulch to reduce fire risk, bollards around propane, enclosed dumpsters with black metal screening, and consistent black-coated fencing that looks clean and keeps visibility high. You’ll hear how each department’s input tightened the plan without slowing it down. Conservation signs off on a stormwater operation and maintenance plan due to the nearby river. Police get safer movements and clearer markings. Fire safety drives material choices and offsets. The landlord commits to improved lighting quality on existing poles, while we set a condition that lighting stays on-site and turns off soon after closing. We also confirm hours, address pedestrian walkways with driver-facing signage, and require crosswalks and circulation arrows to be in place before occupancy. We then zoom out to what’s next for the town’s growth. Accessory dwelling units are accelerating, with 17 on record since February, and we’re refining the ADU bylaw to align with state guidance so projects move faster and cleaner. Meanwhile, we plan to restart work on the Route 138 mixed-use bylaw with regional support, aiming to unlock flexible, walkable development where it makes the most sense. If you care about practical planning, retail reuse, and the small design choices that add up to safer streets, this one’s for you. Enjoy the episode, share it with a neighbor who follows local development, and subscribe so you don’t miss future updates on the ADU bylaw and Route 138 mixed-use progress. Got thoughts on fencing, lighting, or traffic flow at older plazas? Leave a review with your ideas—we read every one. Support the show https://www.raynhaminfo.com/ Copyright RAYCAM INC. 2025

    28 min

  4. DEC 15

    Raynham Select Board 12/09/2025

    (Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy) Budgets don’t balance themselves, and neither do expectations. We sat down to hash out the choices that keep Raynham moving: a record pace for fire and EMS calls, a Santa ride that delivered more toys than ever, and the quiet grind of winter prep that keeps roads safe and services reliable. Each update carried the same theme—costs are rising, needs are real, and small levers can make a big difference. We dug into the numbers that shape your bill. After more than 20 years, transfer station permits are going up, paired with a senior discount and a practical tweak that reduces bag weight limits to align $2 tags with actual disposal costs. On the operations side, our highway team secured recycling funds, closed the brush site for the season, tuned up snow equipment, and shared a promising timeline for the Garden 3 Bridge once final permits clear. We also adjusted snow removal pay rates and set a higher starting wage for CDL hires to compete in a tight labor market. The heart of the meeting centered on tax classification. We reviewed levy limits, new growth, and the impact of debt exclusions, then took a hard look at the residential–commercial split. With regional business confidence down and local vacancies still visible, we voted 2–1 to keep the 1.26 shift—aiming for predictability, competitiveness, and a fair balance between homeowners and employers. Public comment helped ground the tradeoffs, and we closed with updates on the Elderly and Disabled Tax Fund reference on upcoming bills, plus community events and senior programs that keep Rainham connected. If you value clear explanations and straight answers about where your dollars go, tune in and share your take. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell a neighbor what you think we should prioritize next. Support the show https://www.raynhaminfo.com/ Copyright RAYCAM INC. 2025

    36 min

  5. DEC 9

    Council On Aging 12/02/2025

    (Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy) A budget check turned into a blueprint for winter: we moved quickly from routine reports to the urgent questions seniors are asking right now—How do I get fuel help when funding is unclear? Where can I set up a will without paying thousands? Which programs can I count on through the holidays? We lay out what’s working, what’s delayed, and the practical steps you can take this month to stay safe, informed, and connected. We share a major win: a new partnership with South Coast Legal Services bringing free estate planning and will preparation to income-qualified seniors. It starts with a December info session, then rolls into a January clinic with scheduled time slots. We also preview a full slate of seasonal programming—luncheons, a stroke-awareness talk with our public health nurse, and a festive holiday party—plus a push for Cultural Council grants to fund a 2024 music lineup that lifts spirits and fills the room. Behind the scenes, we’re tightening the safety net. A one-page resource guide will point you to fuel assistance, vaccinations, Meals on Wheels, SNAP, elder watch protocols, transportation, and veterans’ services—designed to live on your fridge for fast decisions. Facility lighting upgrades are underway to brighten common areas during the shortest days of the year. We address scam calls targeting landlines, offer trip ideas that avoid long bus rides, and weigh how to keep the Friends group alive for fundraising and community momentum. The meeting closes with both continuity and change: an associate member steps into a voting role, and our chair retires after 15 years of service with gratitude and resolve. Subscribe for more community updates, share this with a neighbor who needs winter resources, and leave a review to help others find these practical, local insights. Support the show https://www.raynhaminfo.com/ Copyright RAYCAM INC. 2025

    34 min

  6. DEC 5

    Planning Board 12/04/2025

    (Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy) A long-empty big-box space is about to get smarter, safer, and far more useful. We walk through the approval of an abbreviated site plan that transforms 59 New State Highway into a Tractor Supply, and we focus on what actually changes for drivers, pedestrians, and neighbors. From a fresh facade and relocated entrance to a fully restriped parking lot, the upgrade blends practical engineering with clear conditions that protect sight lines, keep lighting on site, and reduce fire risk where it matters most. The details matter here. Conservation signed off with a stormwater operations and maintenance plan given the site’s proximity to the river. Fire requested the removal of combustible mulch and added bollards around propane storage, and those are now locked in. Police pushed for a right-turn-only at the east exit, which appears with circulation arrows and signage. We also add crosswalk signage to guide drivers who’ve used the plaza for years, helping them adapt to pedestrian routes that will now be more visible and better protected. Outside sales areas get a firm framework: see-through black chain-link fencing, no slats, no barbed wire, and a minimum ten-foot set back from the curb to preserve the line of sight along Route 44. Operations get clarity too. Tractor Supply’s typical hours run from early morning to evening, with store lights shutting down within 30 to 45 minutes after closing. Parking lot lighting is enhanced using existing poles and conditioned to prevent spillover onto adjacent properties. Snow storage is kept away from the building and fenced zones, dumpsters are enclosed with black metal screening, and building-adjacent parking receives protective bollards. These are simple, measurable steps that lift safety and curb appeal without slowing the project. After the vote to approve and refund an unused peer review fee, we pivot to policy: tuning our accessory dwelling unit bylaw to align with state guidance and preparing to restart the mixed-use bylaw work with SERPED after the holidays. It’s a through-line from site design to long-range planning—get the conditions right today, and set the code to support better projects tomorrow. If you care about practical planning, retail revitalization, and the small rules that deliver big public benefits, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who follows local development, and leave a review with the one condition you’d add next time. Support the show https://www.raynhaminfo.com/ Copyright RAYCAM INC. 2025

    28 min

  7. DEC 5

    Raynham Select Board 11/17/2025

    (Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy) Tight timelines don’t have to mean thin decisions. We convened on a rare Monday to clear critical items before the Fall Town Meeting and ended up advancing public safety, fiscal discipline, and transparency in one swift session. From the fire chief’s October snapshot to new holiday giving drives, the human side of town service took center stage—complete with a recent house fire where no residents were hurt and even a few pets were rescued. We also finalized two important labor agreements. The three-year contract with the patrolmen’s union includes 2 percent annual increases, a new step seven, and a stipend aligned with POST requirements while avoiding the costs and uncertainty of binding arbitration. Structural gains like a 70–30 health split for new hires and potential bi-weekly payroll streamline operations and protect budgets. For our 9-1-1 signal operators, a targeted one-year agreement delivers compensation updates and secures bi-weekly payroll and health care terms, setting a clean base for future years. These negotiated outcomes balance fair pay, recruitment, and long-term financial health. Transparency was more than a talking point. We reviewed and authorized a broad release of executive session minutes, partial release where appropriate, and continued withholding where confidentiality still applies. This response to a records request provides clarity on past negotiations and reinforces open government. We also scheduled a public hearing for a joint utility pole request on Pine Street to keep infrastructure changes visible and accountable. With Town Meeting on deck, the administrator flagged three article amendments tied to the newly settled contracts and an increase to Raynham’s community media funding thanks to additional cable revenues. Want the full picture in minutes, not hours? Catch this concise briefing, bring a toy for Secret Santa during the Santa ride or Stuff a Truck events, and join us at Town Meeting. If this kind of practical, people-first local governance matters to you, subscribe, share the show, and leave a review to help more neighbors find it. Support the show https://www.raynhaminfo.com/ Copyright RAYCAM INC. 2025

    13 min

  8. NOV 14

    Sewer Commission 11/12/2025

    (Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy) A quiet sewer system hides a lot of moving parts. We pull back the curtain on a month of fixes, planning, and hard numbers: five new hookups, jetting stubborn mains, and the mystery of a foaming supermarket wet well that kept pumps from priming until crews dosed anti-foam and fished out shrink-wrap-like debris. It’s a small drama with big implications—what flows into a station determines what fails, what it costs, and how quickly the team can restore service. From there, we move into long-horizon work. The Route 44 control upgrade cleared submittals and the off-site control panel build is underway, with mobilization slated for early January when the last VFD arrives. On the streets, Mill Street paving wrapped, Elm Street East cleaning continues, and a future Pine Street culvert replacement will reroute a sewer main for resiliency. We also prep for a special town meeting with three sewer articles and a correction transfer, while subdivision acceptances trigger careful easement reviews to ensure the town only takes on assets with clear rights and obligations. Even housing policy enters the chat, as ongoing 40B hearings intersect with infrastructure planning in a town ranked among the state’s leaders in subsidized housing share. Then the ledger opens. A final payment closes a decades-long IMA obligation, a quarterly treatment bill lands with an overcharge credit after staff challenged unrelated costs, and we frame the FY27 budget at $3.184 million, a 2.5 percent rise. Health insurance, pensions, and Taunton treatment charges are the swing factors, which is why we’ve been building stabilization and earmarked reserves to absorb the eventual hit from regional plant upgrades. We lay out four rate options—from no change to a $24 annual increase—showing how each affects revenue, reserves, and the ability to handle late collections without risking service. It’s a clear look at what reliable wastewater service truly costs and how to fund it responsibly. If you value transparent infrastructure talk and want a say in how we fund essential services, tune in and share your take. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: which rate path best balances fairness and reliability? Support the show https://www.raynhaminfo.com/ Copyright RAYCAM INC. 2025

    31 min
See All (129)

About

Welcome to Raynham Community Access & Media (RAYCAM), where we engage, learn, and create community access media. We are dedicated to providing a platform for all voices to be heard and shared. Join us in creating a vibrant and inclusive media community.

Information

  • Creator
    Raynham
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Raynham Channel
  • Show Website
    The Raynham Channel

You Might Also Like