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Acton Select Board
How the Acton Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. Dean A. Charter and David D. Martin joined the board after the spring 2019 town election (first meeting April 8, 2019); Janet K. Adachi and Katie Green left it (their last meeting was April 1, 2019). On April 8, 2019 the board chose Joan Gardner as Chair and Jon Benson as Vice Chair (each 5-0); Dean A. Charter was nominated as Clerk (the minutes record no vote). Because of COVID-19 the 2020 town election was held June 2, 2020, and this board served until August 2020; most meetings from April 2020 on were held remotely. Covers 55 meetings, April 8 to July 20, 2020.
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 budgetBoard years
Coming up
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Members
Dean A. CharterClerk · At-large · at 53 of 55 meetings
David D. MartinMember · At-large · at 53 of 55 meetings"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: Acton Select Board minutes (the board was called the Board of Selectmen until April 2021) from January 8, 2018 through September 14, 2026: 290 meetings and 2,028 votes. The town’s Archive Center holds the board’s minutes back to 1994; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. All the minutes loaded are typed documents with searchable text. Where the town posted more than one version of a meeting’s minutes (originals and amended versions), we use the latest version. Not here: executive-session minutes; meetings whose files say “Meeting Canceled” (May 1, 2024 and January 26, 2026); meetings with an agenda but no posted minutes, among them the regular meetings of July 6, 2020, April 3, May 8 and May 22, 2023, and February 23, 2026, several workshops and short sessions, and executive-session-only meetings; and meetings after September 14, 2026 (the September 28 and October 5, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Acton’s minutes give the mover, the seconder and the count (“Mr. Martin moved, seconded by Ms. Nicol … and approved 4-1-0 (Arsenault)”), and name in brackets the member who voted no or abstained; in 2020 and 2021, when the board met remotely, most votes were roll calls by name. When the count and the names add up to the members present, each member is shown voting as recorded; “approved unanimously” and “All Ayes” are shown as every member present voting yes. Where the count does not match the members present, a split count names no one, or a roll call has a typing slip, we show the count only, with a note (60 votes); 6 votes record the result only. At the March 2, March 16 and April 6, 2026 meetings a name in brackets after a Town Meeting article marks the member assigned to present it, not a dissenter; split votes there show the count only. When members chose between two nominees for an office, we show the result only and quote who chose whom. Members who stepped aside (recused) are not shown as voting. Eight sets of minutes (mid-2022 and mid-2023) have no attendance list; all five members are named taking part, so all five are shown present. At joint meetings (Finance Committee budget workshops, Library Trustees, other boards) only the Select Board’s own votes are shown. 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.
Jul 20Approve the request to withdraw site plan application without…Motion: Ms. Gardner moves to approve the request to withdraw site plan…Passed 5–0 · see note
July 20, 2020: Approve the request to withdraw site plan application without prejudice
Ms. Gardner moves to approve the request to withdraw site plan application without prejudice, Mr. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin
The roll call lists Jim Snyder-Grant, who was not on the attendance list or on the board at this meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to approve the request to withdraw site plan application without prejudice, Mr. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin called roll: Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)
Jul 20Approve SPSP #05/21/2020-479 with the statutory recommendations of condition…Motion: Ms. Gardner moves to approve SPSP #05/21/2020-479 with the statutory recommendations…Passed 5–0 · see note
July 20, 2020: Approve SPSP #05/21/2020-479 with the statutory recommendations of condition 3.2.2
Ms. Gardner moves to approve SPSP #05/21/2020-479 with the statutory recommendations of condition 3.2.2, Mr. Charter seconds. Mr. Martin
The roll call lists Jim Snyder-Grant, who was not on the attendance list or on the board at this meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to approve SPSP #05/21/2020-479 with the statutory recommendations of condition 3.2.2, Mr. Charter seconds. Mr. Martin called roll: Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Charter)
Jul 20Accept the withdrawal of the application without prejudice and…Motion: Mr. Benson moves to accept the withdrawal of the application without…Passed 5–0 · see note
July 20, 2020: Accept the withdrawal of the application without prejudice and returning $2200 of the application fee and refund the unused portion of the peer review
Mr. Benson moves to accept the withdrawal of the application without prejudice and returning $2200 of the application fee and refund the unused portion of the peer review, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin
The roll call lists Jim Snyder-Grant, who was not on the attendance list or on the board at this meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Benson moves to accept the withdrawal of the application without prejudice and returning $2200 of the application fee and refund the unused portion of the peer review, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin called role; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Benson, second: Gardner)
Jul 20Approve the 25% reduction in current liquor licenseMotion: Ms. Gardner moves to approve the 25% reduction in current liquor…Passed 5–0 · see note
July 20, 2020: Approve the 25% reduction in current liquor license
Ms. Gardner moves to approve the 25% reduction in current liquor license, Mr. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin
The roll call lists Jim Snyder-Grant, who was not on the attendance list or on the board at this meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to approve the 25% reduction in current liquor license, Mr. Martin seconds. Mr. Martin called the roll: Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)
Jul 20Adopt the single polling location for the September 1st…Motion: Ms. Gardner moves to adopt the single polling location for the…Passed 5–0 · see note
July 20, 2020: Adopt the single polling location for the September 1st primary and November 3rd Presidential elections
Ms. Gardner moves to adopt the single polling location for the September 1st primary and November 3rd Presidential elections, Mr. Charter seconds. Mr. Martin
The roll call lists Jim Snyder-Grant, who was not on the attendance list or on the board at this meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to adopt the single polling location for the September 1st primary and November 3rd Presidential elections, Mr. Charter seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Charter)
Jul 20Authorize the Town Manager to execute the lease as…Motion: Mr. Charter moves to authorize the Town Manager to execute the…Passed 5–0 · see note
July 20, 2020: Authorize the Town Manager to execute the lease as discussed
Mr. Charter moves to authorize the Town Manager to execute the lease as discussed, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin
The roll call lists Jim Snyder-Grant, who was not on the attendance list or on the board at this meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter moves to authorize the Town Manager to execute the lease as discussed, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Charter, second: Gardner)
Jul 20Approve the option agreement as writtenMotion: Mr. Charter moves to approve the option agreement as written, Ms.…Passed 5–0 · see note
July 20, 2020: Approve the option agreement as written
Mr. Charter moves to approve the option agreement as written, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin
The roll call lists Jim Snyder-Grant, who was not on the attendance list or on the board at this meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter moves to approve the option agreement as written, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Charter, second: Gardner)
Jul 20Approve and sign the contractMotion: Mr. Charter moves to approve and sign the contract, Ms. Gardner…Passed 5–0 · see note
July 20, 2020: Approve and sign the contract
Mr. Charter moves to approve and sign the contract, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin
The roll call lists Jim Snyder-Grant, who was not on the attendance list or on the board at this meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Charter moves to approve and sign the contract, Ms. Gardner seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Charter, second: Gardner)
Jul 20Approve consent items 16-27Motion: Ms. Gardner moves to approve consent items 16-27, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds.…Passed 5–0 · see note
July 20, 2020: Approve consent items 16-27
Ms. Gardner moves to approve consent items 16-27, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin
The roll call lists Jim Snyder-Grant, who was not on the attendance list or on the board at this meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Ms. Gardner moves to approve consent items 16-27, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin called roll; Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 5-0, the motion carries.” (Motion: Gardner)
Jun 26Discuss the Property Located at 4 Piper Lane, 4…Motion: Board to Discuss the Property Located at 4 Piper Lane, 4…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
June 26, 2020: Discuss the Property Located at 4 Piper Lane, 4 Piper Lane Rear, and 6 Piper Lane, Acton, MA
Board to Discuss the Property Located at 4 Piper Lane, 4 Piper Lane Rear, and 6 Piper Lane, Acton, MA
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Board to Discuss the Property Located at 4 Piper Lane, 4 Piper Lane Rear, and 6 Piper Lane, Acton, MA The Board voted unanimously.”
From the Acton Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Archive Center (Select Board Minutes). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: The Acton Exchange candidate profiles (Francesca Arsenault, April 2024, photo courtesy of Barrett Sotheby’s Realty; David D. Martin, April 2025; Alissa Nicol, April 2026; Pam Nourse, April 2026, photo by Maddie Freeman); Dean A. Charter from the Town of Acton’s Select Board group photo (May 11, 2026).
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