Acton Former Select Board member

Joan Gardner

At-large · 4 terms in this record

A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.

Board years

2020–2021 Board 2019–2020 Board 2018–2019 Board 2017–2018 Board

Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2020–2021 Board

32 of 32meetings attended (100%) · whole board 99%

180votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)

4no votes (2% of votes cast) · whole board 2%

2 of 10split votes where Gardner was in the minority (20%) · whole board 28%

0abstained

4terms in this record

On split votes, Gardner voted the same way as…

Dean A. Charter80% (8 of 10)
Jon Benson70% (7 of 10)
Jim Snyder-Grant50% (5 of 10)
David D. Martin40% (4 of 10)

How these numbers work

Counted from the official minutes, for 2020–2021 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Gardner as present or absent at the start.
Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
“Whole board” combines every member’s record for the same term.

These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.

Attendance

At the start of 32 of 32 Select Board meetings in 2020–2021 Board.

Missed none.

Every meeting (32)

Jun 21, 2021 · Regular: Present
Jun 14, 2021 · Regular: Present
Jun 7, 2021 · Regular: Present
Jun 1, 2021 · Regular: Present
May 24, 2021 · Regular: Present
May 17, 2021 · Regular: Present
May 3, 2021 · Regular: Present
Apr 26, 2021 · Regular: Present
Apr 12, 2021 · Regular: Present
Apr 6, 2021 · Joint: Present
Apr 5, 2021 · Regular: Present
Mar 29, 2021 · Regular: Present
Mar 15, 2021 · Regular: Present
Mar 1, 2021 · Regular: Present
Feb 22, 2021 · Regular: Present
Feb 1, 2021 · Regular: Present
Jan 25, 2021 · Regular: Present
Jan 11, 2021 · Special: Present
Jan 4, 2021 · Regular: Present
Dec 21, 2020 · Regular: Present
Dec 18, 2020 · Special: Present
Dec 14, 2020 · Regular: Present
Dec 7, 2020 · Regular: Present
Nov 16, 2020 · Regular: Present
Nov 12, 2020 · Regular: Present
Nov 2, 2020 · Regular: Present
Oct 19, 2020 · Regular: Present
Oct 5, 2020 · Regular: Present
Sep 14, 2020 · Regular: Present
Sep 3, 2020 · Regular: Present
Aug 24, 2020 · Regular: Present
Aug 10, 2020 · Regular: Present

Votes where members disagreed · 2020–2021 Board

May 17Amend the minutes from April 5, 2021Motion: Ms. Gardner moved, seconded by Mr. Martin to amend the minutes…Passed 3–0 · Gardner: Not recorded

May 17, 2021: Amend the minutes from April 5, 2021

Approve minutesPassed · 3–0

Ms. Gardner moved, seconded by Mr. Martin to amend the minutes from April 5, 2021

The minutes give the count as 3-0-2 but do not say who voted no or abstained. Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“Ms. Gardner moved, seconded by Mr. Martin to amend the minutes from April 5, 2021and voted 3-0-2 by roll call.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Martin)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Apr 26Elect Dean Charter as Select Board ChairMotion: Mr. Martin moved to elect Dean Charter as Select Board Chair,…Failed 2–3 · Gardner: No

April 26, 2021: Elect Dean Charter as Select Board Chair

AppointFailed · 2–3

Mr. Martin moved to elect Dean Charter as Select Board Chair, seconded by Mr. Snyder-Grant, and failed to pass

Voted: No

Yes: Martin, Snyder-GrantNo: Benson, Charter, Gardner

From the minutes

“Mr. Martin moved to elect Dean Charter as Select Board Chair, seconded by Mr. Snyder-Grant, and failed to pass by roll call vote: (Nay: Mr. Benson, Mr. Charter and Ms. Gardner; Aye: Mr. Martin, Mr. Snyder-Grant).” (Motion: Martin, second: Snyder-Grant)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Feb 1Ask Town Manager to work with town staff and…Motion: Mr. Snyder-Grant moved to ask Town Manager to work with town…Passed 3–2 · Gardner: No

February 1, 2021: Ask Town Manager to work with town staff and town counsel to bring back to the Board a more formal warrant article for the Home Rule Petition

ApprovePassed · 3–2

Mr. Snyder-Grant moved to ask Town Manager to work with town staff and town counsel to bring back to the Board a more formal warrant article for the Home Rule Petition, seconded by Mr. Martin. Mr. Martin

Voted: No

Yes: Benson, Martin, Snyder-GrantNo: Charter, Gardner

From the minutes

“Mr. Snyder-Grant moved to ask Town Manager to work with town staff and town counsel to bring back to the Board a more formal warrant article for the Home Rule Petition, seconded by Mr. Martin. Mr. Martin called roll: Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - nay Mr. Charter - nay Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 3-2, the motion carries.” (Motion: Snyder-Grant, second: Martin)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Dec 14Discuss 2021 Restaurant Liquor License Fee WaiverMotion: Discuss 2021 Restaurant Liquor License Fee WaiverPassed Unanimous, 5 present · Gardner: Yes

December 14, 2020: Discuss 2021 Restaurant Liquor License Fee Waiver

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Discuss 2021 Restaurant Liquor License Fee Waiver

Voted: Yes

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“Discuss 2021 Restaurant Liquor License Fee Waiver The Board voted unanimously.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Nov 16Approve the dog park location at 348 Main StreetMotion: Ms. Gardner moved to approve the dog park location at 348…Passed 4–1 · Gardner: Yes

November 16, 2020: Approve the dog park location at 348 Main Street

ApprovePassed · 4–1

Ms. Gardner moved to approve the dog park location at 348 Main Street, seconded by Mr. Snyder-Grant. Mr. Martin

Voted: Yes

Yes: Charter, Gardner, Martin, Snyder-GrantNo: Benson

From the minutes

“Ms. Gardner moved to approve the dog park location at 348 Main Street, seconded by Mr. Snyder-Grant. Mr. Martin called roll: Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - nay Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 4-1, the motion carried.” (Motion: Gardner, second: Snyder-Grant)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Oct 19Rescind it's October 5th statements and for the DEIC…Motion: Mr. Snyder-Grant moved that the Board rescind it's October 5th statements…Passed 4–1 · Gardner: Yes

October 19, 2020: Rescind it's October 5th statements and for the DEIC to draft a statement on racial disparity for the Board's consideration

ApprovePassed · 4–1

Mr. Snyder-Grant moved that the Board rescind it's October 5th statements and for the DEIC to draft a statement on racial disparity for the Board's consideration, seconded by Ms. Gardner. Mr. Martin

Voted: Yes

Yes: Benson, Charter, Gardner, Snyder-GrantNo: MartinThe roll call lists “Mr. Mr. Benson - aye” (a typing slip); the five votes match the count (4-1).

From the minutes

“Mr. Snyder-Grant moved that the Board rescind it's October 5th statements and for the DEIC to draft a statement on racial disparity for the Board's consideration, seconded by Ms. Gardner. Mr. Martin called roll: Mr. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Martin - nay The Board voted 4-1, the motion carried.” (Motion: Snyder-Grant, second: Gardner)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Oct 5Express their opinion to the school committee to be…Motion: Mr. Charter moved that the Board of Selectmen express their opinion…Passed 3–2 · Gardner: Yes

October 5, 2020: Express their opinion to the school committee to be in support of the continuation of the mascot of the Acton-Boxborough Colonials

ApprovePassed · 3–2

Mr. Charter moved that the Board of Selectmen express their opinion to the school committee to be in support of the continuation of the mascot of the Acton-Boxborough Colonials, seconded by Ms. Gardner. Mr. Martin

Voted: Yes

Yes: Benson, Charter, GardnerNo: Martin, Snyder-Grant

From the minutes

“Mr. Charter moved that the Board of Selectmen express their opinion to the school committee to be in support of the continuation of the mascot of the Acton-Boxborough Colonials, seconded by Ms. Gardner. Mr. Martin called roll: Mr. Snyder-Grant - nay Ms. Gardner - aye Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - nay The Board voted 3-2, the motion carried.” (Motion: Charter, second: Gardner)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Sep 14Declare "Yeagher" a dangerous dogMotion: Mr. Charter moved to declare "Yeagher" a dangerous dog, seconded by…Failed 1–4 · Gardner: No

September 14, 2020: Declare "Yeagher" a dangerous dog

ApproveFailed · 1–4

Mr. Charter moved to declare "Yeagher" a dangerous dog, seconded by Mr. Snyder-Grant. Mr. Martin

Voted: No

Yes: CharterNo: Benson, Gardner, Martin, Snyder-Grant

From the minutes

“Mr. Charter moved to declare "Yeagher" a dangerous dog, seconded by Mr. Snyder-Grant. Mr. Martin called roll: Mr. Snyder-Grant - nay Ms. Gardner - nay Mr. Charter - aye Mr. Benson - nay Mr. Martin - nay The Board voted 1-4, the motion failed.” (Motion: Charter, second: Snyder-Grant)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Sep 14Review Funding Proposal for New Sustainability DirectorMotion: Review Funding Proposal for New Sustainability DirectorPassed Unanimous, 5 present · Gardner: Yes

September 14, 2020: Review Funding Proposal for New Sustainability Director

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Review Funding Proposal for New Sustainability Director

Voted: Yes

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“The Board approved unanimously.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Aug 24Recommend (Discuss and Take Positions on the Warrant Articles…Motion: Mr. Charter moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. MartinPassed 3–2 · Gardner: No

August 24, 2020: Recommend (Discuss and Take Positions on the Warrant Articles for September 8, 2020 Special Town)

ApprovePassed · 3–2

Mr. Charter moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin

Voted: No

Yes: Benson, Martin, Snyder-GrantNo: Charter, Gardner

From the minutes

“Mr. Charter moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin called roll: MR. Snyder-Grant - aye Ms. Gardner - nay Mr. Charter - nay Mr. Benson - aye Mr. Martin - aye The Board voted 3-2, to motion carries.” (Motion: Charter, second: Snyder-Grant)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (168)

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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