MassVoter.com← Acton Select BoardActon Former Select Board member
Jon Benson
At-large · 4 terms in this record
Jonathan Benson
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2020–2021 Board
On split votes, Benson voted the same way as…
- Joan Gardner70% (7 of 10)
- Jim Snyder-Grant60% (6 of 10)
- Dean A. Charter50% (5 of 10)
- David D. Martin50% (5 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 Benson 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 · Benson: Not recorded
May 17, 2021: Amend the minutes from April 5, 2021
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)
Apr 26Elect Dean Charter as Select Board ChairMotion: Mr. Martin moved to elect Dean Charter as Select Board Chair,…Failed 2–3 · Benson: No
April 26, 2021: Elect Dean Charter as Select Board Chair
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)
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 · Benson: Yes
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
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: Yes
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)
Dec 14Discuss 2021 Restaurant Liquor License Fee WaiverMotion: Discuss 2021 Restaurant Liquor License Fee WaiverPassed Unanimous, 5 present · Benson: Yes
December 14, 2020: Discuss 2021 Restaurant Liquor License Fee Waiver
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.”
Nov 16Approve the dog park location at 348 Main StreetMotion: Ms. Gardner moved to approve the dog park location at 348…Passed 4–1 · Benson: No
November 16, 2020: Approve the dog park location at 348 Main Street
Ms. Gardner moved to approve the dog park location at 348 Main Street, seconded by Mr. Snyder-Grant. Mr. Martin
Voted: No
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)
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 · Benson: 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
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)
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 · Benson: 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
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)
Sep 14Declare "Yeagher" a dangerous dogMotion: Mr. Charter moved to declare "Yeagher" a dangerous dog, seconded by…Failed 1–4 · Benson: No
September 14, 2020: Declare "Yeagher" a dangerous dog
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)
Sep 14Review Funding Proposal for New Sustainability DirectorMotion: Review Funding Proposal for New Sustainability DirectorPassed Unanimous, 5 present · Benson: Yes
September 14, 2020: Review Funding Proposal for New Sustainability Director
Review Funding Proposal for New Sustainability Director
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
Aug 24Recommend (Discuss and Take Positions on the Warrant Articles…Motion: Mr. Charter moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. MartinPassed 3–2 · Benson: Yes
August 24, 2020: Recommend (Discuss and Take Positions on the Warrant Articles for September 8, 2020 Special Town)
Mr. Charter moves to recommend, Mr. Snyder-Grant seconds. Mr. Martin
Voted: Yes
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)
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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