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Abington Select Board
How the Abington Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Suzanne Djusberg and Kevin R. Donovan joined the board after the 2023 town election; Alex Bezanson and Mike Kolodziej left. The reorganization minutes (May 8, 2023) are not posted; Alex Hagerty was Chair. Mr. Hagerty resigned in January 2024, and on January 22, 2024 the board chose Kevin R. Donovan as Chair and Tim Chapin as Vice Chair (both unanimous); the seat stayed empty until the 2024 election. No minutes are posted for August 2023 or April 2024. Covers 13 meetings, May 22 to March 25, 2024.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetYour Abington ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
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Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Abington’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
What Town Meeting decided
In Abington, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.
Annual Town Meeting · April 7, 2025 26 votes: 22 passed, 2 failed, 2 no action
- Art. 1 Raise $17,490 for out-of-district vocational school transportation, 2025-2026 (consent agenda) Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 2 Raise $5,000 for the Health Imperative violence prevention program, FY2026 (consent agenda) Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 3 Raise $2,500 for the Arc of the South Shore, FY2026 (consent agenda) Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 4 Transfer $25,000 from free cash for grant matching funds, FY2026 (consent agenda) Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 5 Transfer $20,000 from free cash for public safety overtime and details at the St. Patrick's Day Parade Passed “Passes”
- Art. 6 Create a residential waste hauling enterprise fund and provide $1.2 million for its start-up Failed “Does Not Pass as Proposed · In favor (Yes) of the Article 124 / Apposed (No)to the Article 141”
- Art. 7 FY2026 operating budget, $71,847,803, plus $1,200,000 from free cash for waste collection Passed “Passes”
- Art. 8 Fund the capital plan, total $2,343,321.99 Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 9 FY2026 Community Preservation budget: $871,552 in projects and reserves plus a $150,000 Memorial Field bond payment Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 10 Transfer $50,000 from water retained earnings for sick leave buy back for two retiring Water Department employees Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 11 Transfer $106,161.85 from free cash for uses consistent with the FY23 opioid settlement Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 12 Transfer $1,000 to care for the abandoned Hillside Cemetery on Randolph Street Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 13 Accept a gift of about 20 acres on Ashland Street from the Trufant family for open space, agriculture and recreation Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 14 Transfer $125,000 from golf course retained earnings to demolish the building at 22 Bedford Street Passed “Passes”
- Art. 15 Acquire land and easements for the Hancock/Chestnut Street intersection improvement project Passed “Passes”
- Art. 16 Approve the amended South Shore Regional Vocational School District agreement Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 17 Create a revolving fund (limit $10,000) for maintenance of town EV charging stations Passed “Passes”
- Art. 18 Add a general bylaw on security alarm systems and false alarm penalties Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 19 Lower the Town Meeting quorum from 150 to 75 registered voters Failed “Does Not Pass”
- Art. 20 Replace the zoning section on accessory apartments with rules for protected-use accessory dwelling units (ADUs) Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 21 Remove "accessory apartments" from the zoning use table and change some single-family uses to "N" Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 22 Fix a typographical error for two-family/duplex use in the Transitional Commercial zoning district Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 23 Change abutter notice wording for Board of Appeals public hearings to match state law Passed “Unanimous”
- Art. 24 Amend zoning rules for small-scale ground-mounted solar No action “Passed Over”
- Art. 25 Require structures to be at least 10 feet from any easement (zoning) No action “Passed Over”
- Art. 26 Transfer $200,000 from free cash to cover the FY2025 snow and ice deficit Passed “Unanimous”
Source: Town Clerk's certified record in the 2025 Annual Town Report.
Not here yet: the April 1, 2024 Annual Town Meeting, the November 25, 2024 Special Town Meeting and the May 4, 2026 Annual Town Meeting (the Town posts only warrants for these, and no 2024 Annual Town Report is online).
Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).
Members
"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: every Select Board meeting (called the Board of Selectmen until 2025) with minutes posted on the town website: 2019, 2020 and January 2022 through July 20, 2026. Not here: anything from 2021 (the website has no 2021 minutes folder), meetings whose minutes the town has not posted (the board meets about twice a month, but only 10 to 16 sets of minutes are posted for each year), executive-session minutes, and minutes after July 20, 2026. Abington's minutes are typed by the Town Manager's office and usually give the mover, the seconder and the result in one line ("motion by Mr. X ..., seconded by Ms. Y, unanimous"); remote and Zoom-era votes are often roll calls by name. 57 of the 97 files are scans (every file from 2019 through September 2023 and nine later ones), which we read by computer text recognition. When the minutes say a vote was unanimous we show every member present as voting yes; when they give a roll call, or a count with the members who voted no or abstained named, we show each member's vote as recorded. Abington writes three-number counts as for-abstain-against (for example "4-1-0 (Mr. Bunker abstained)"). When the minutes record an action with no count, no names and no mention of a unanimous vote, we show the result only and never assume it was unanimous. Where the minutes give only a count without names, or the names and the count do not match, we show the count only and add a note. Members who had not yet arrived, had left, or stepped aside (recused) are left out of that vote. At joint meetings (Board of Assessors, Water and Sewer Commissioners) only the Select Board members' votes are shown, and a "choice" vote where each member named a candidate shows the result only. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Feb 12Approve (Request for Rt 123 Auto Brokers' Class II…Motion: To approvePassed 3–0 · see note
February 12, 2024: Approve (Request for Rt 123 Auto Brokers' Class II license to increase from six to fourteen vehicles for sale, at 308 Brockton Av)
To approve
Yes: Chapin, DiMarzio, DjusbergThe roll call lists Mr. Donovan without a vote, so his vote is not shown.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve made by Mr. Chapin, seconded by Ms. Djusberg. Roll call vote: Mr. DiMarzio, yes; Ms. Djusberg, yes; Mr. Chapin, yes; Mr. Donovan..” (Motion: Chapin, second: Djusberg)
Jan 22Deny the requestMotion: To deny the requestFailed 2–2 · see note
January 22, 2024: Deny the request
To deny the request
The minutes say "2-2 with Mr. Chapin and Mr. DiMarzio against and Ms. Djusberg and Mr. Donovan for," but Mr. Chapin and Mr. DiMarzio made and seconded this motion to deny, so it is not clear whether "against" means against the motion or against the request. Showing the count only; a tie vote does not pass.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Chapin to deny the request, seconded by Mr. DiMarzio. Vote was 2-2 with Mr. Chapin and Mr. DiMarzio against and Ms. Djusberg and Mr. Donovan for..” (Motion: Chapin, second: DiMarzio)
Jan 8Appoint Alex Bezanson to the Conservation Commission as a…Motion: To appoint Mr. BezansonPassed 3–2 · No: Djusberg, Hagerty
January 8, 2024: Appoint Alex Bezanson to the Conservation Commission as a voting member
To appoint Mr. Bezanson
Yes: Chapin, DiMarzio, DonovanNo: Djusberg, HagertyMs. Djusberg also moved to appoint Mr. Benson (seconded by Mr. Chapin); the roll call was taken on Mr. Bezanson.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. DiMarzio to appoint Mr. Bezanson, seconded by Mr. Donovan. Motion by Ms. Djusberg to appoint Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Chapin. Discussion followed. Ms. Djusberg - It is hard to get volunteers, itis a thankless job. Mr. Chapin was very disappointed with how the whole process went tonight. Mr. Hagerty responded, and Mr. Donovan suggested they call for the vote. Roll call vote for Alex Bezanson: Mr. DiMarzio, yes; Mr. Donovan, yes; Ms. Djusberg, no; Mr. Chapin, yes; Mr. Hagerty, no. Alex Bezanson is appointed to the Conservation Commission as a voting member..” (Motion: DiMarzio, second: Donovan)
Dec 11Appoint Joseph Shea to fill the vacancy on the…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
December 11, 2023 (Joint meeting): Appoint Joseph Shea to fill the vacancy on the Board of Assessors until the April election (joint vote)
Joint vote with the Board of Assessors; only the Select Board members' votes are shown.
From the minutes
“Roll call vote: Larry Keough, aye; Kevin Donovan, aye; Suzanne Djusberg, aye; Tim Chapin, aye; Alex Hagerty, aye; unanimous..”
Oct 23Approve the complete eminent domain taking, as read by…Motion: To approve the complete eminent domain taking, as read by Mr.…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
October 23, 2023: Approve the complete eminent domain taking, as read by Mr. Hagerty
To approve the complete eminent domain taking, as read by Mr. Hagerty
The minutes write "Mr. DiMarzio voted to approve ..., seconded by Mr. Donovan, unanimous"; we read this as Mr. DiMarzio's motion.
From the minutes
“Mr. DiMarzio voted to approve the complete eminent domain taking, as read by Mr. Hagerty, seconded by Mr. Donovan, unanimous..” (Motion: DiMarzio, second: Donovan)
Jul 10Approve pending Police and Fire approvalMotion: To approve pending Police and Fire approvalFailed 2–3 · No: Djusberg, Donovan, Hagerty
July 10, 2023: Approve pending Police and Fire approval
To approve pending Police and Fire approval
Yes: Chapin, DiMarzioNo: Djusberg, Donovan, Hagerty
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Chapin to approve pending Police and Fire approval, seconded by Mr. DiMarzio. Roll call vote: Mr. Chapin, aye; Mr. DiMarzio, aye; Mr. Donovan, no; Ms. Djusberg, no; Mr. Hagerty, no..” (Motion: Chapin, second: DiMarzio)
Jul 10Post a meeting for July 17" pending Fire and…Motion: To post a meeting for July 17" pending Fire and Police…Passed 4–1 · No: DiMarzio
July 10, 2023: Post a meeting for July 17" pending Fire and Police opinion
To post a meeting for July 17" pending Fire and Police opinion
Yes: Chapin, Djusberg, Donovan, HagertyNo: DiMarzio
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Donovan to post a meeting for July 17" pending Fire and Police opinion, seconded by Ms. Djusberg. Roll call vote: Mr. Donovan, aye; Ms. Djusberg, aye; Mr. Hagerty, aye; Mr. DiMarzio, no; Mr. Chapin, aye..” (Motion: Donovan, second: Djusberg)
Jun 12Appoint David Nisby, Sr. as Sewer Commissioner (joint vote…Motion: Mr. Jamieson to appoint David Nisby, Sr., to the position, Sewer…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
June 12, 2023: Appoint David Nisby, Sr. as Sewer Commissioner (joint vote with the Sewer Commissioners)
Mr. Jamieson to appoint David Nisby, Sr., to the position, Sewer Commissioners
Joint vote with the Sewer Commissioners; the motion was made by Sewer Commissioner Jamieson. Only the Select Board members' roll call is shown.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Jamieson to appoint David Nisby, Sr., to the position, seconded by Mr. Donovan, Sewer Commissioners unanimous, Selectmen roll call vote: Ms. Djusberg, aye; Mr. Donovan, aye; Mr. Hagerty, aye; Mr. DiMarzio, aye; Mr. Chapin, aye..” (second: Donovan)
Jun 12Appoint Bill Cormier as Water Commissioner (joint vote with…Motion: To appoint Mr. Cormier, seconded by Mr. TassinariFailed 2–3 · No: Djusberg, Donovan, Hagerty
June 12, 2023: Appoint Bill Cormier as Water Commissioner (joint vote with the Water Commissioners)
To appoint Mr. Cormier, seconded by Mr. Tassinari
Yes: Chapin, DiMarzioNo: Djusberg, Donovan, HagertyJoint vote with the Water Commissioners (seconded by Commissioner Tassinari). The joint vote failed 3-4; only the Select Board members' roll call is shown.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. DiMarzio to appoint Mr. Cormier, seconded by Mr. Tassinari. Motion by Mr. Dion to appoint Mr. Mollica, seconded by Mr. Donovan. Nicole Emery, 16 Pond Street, asked if there was an ethics question with Mr. Mollica helping Mr. Dion's campaign. Mr. Dion - there was no conflict - Mr. Mollica only helped with passing out literature. A letter was received from John Tassinari and Rockland Commissioners and was read into the minutes in favor of Mr. Cormier. Vote: 3-4 the vote fails Mr. Cormier: Mr. Tassinari - aye; Mr. Dion - no Ms. Djusberg - no; Mr. Donovan - no; Mr. Hagerty ~ no; Mr. DiMarzio - aye; Mr. Chapin - aye.” (Motion: DiMarzio)
Jun 12Appoint Paul Mollica as Water Commissioner (joint vote with…Motion: Mr. Dion to appoint Mr. MollicaPassed 4–1 · No: DiMarzio
June 12, 2023: Appoint Paul Mollica as Water Commissioner (joint vote with the Water Commissioners)
Mr. Dion to appoint Mr. Mollica
Yes: Chapin, Djusberg, Donovan, HagertyNo: DiMarzioJoint vote with the Water Commissioners; the motion was made by Commissioner Dion. The joint vote passed 5-2; only the Select Board members' roll call is shown.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Dion to appoint Mr. Mollica, seconded by Mr. Donovan. Nicole Emery, 16 Pond Street, asked if there was an ethics question with Mr. Mollica helping Mr. Dion's campaign. Mr. Dion - there was no conflict - Mr. Mollica only helped with passing out literature. A letter was received from John Tassinari and Rockland Commissioners and was read into the minutes in favor of Mr. Cormier. Vote: 3-4 the vote fails Mr. Cormier: Mr. Tassinari - aye; Mr. Dion - no Ms. Djusberg - no; Mr. Donovan - no; Mr. Hagerty ~ no; Mr. DiMarzio - aye; Mr. Chapin - aye Vote: 5-2 the vote is approved for Mr. Mollica Mr. Mollica: Mr. Tassinari - no; Mr. Dion - aye Ms. Djusberg - aye; Mr. Donovan - aye; Mr. Hagerty - aye; Mr. DiMarzio - no; Mr. Chapin - aye.” (second: Donovan)
From the Abington Select Board’s (formerly Board of Selectmen) official minutes, posted in the Select Board minutes folders on the town website. We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos of current members: Abington News candidate articles (Emery, Eddy, Cormier) and Abington CAM candidate videos (Bunker, Coyle). Former members show initials.
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