← Ashland

Municipal votes · 2020–2021 Board

Ashland Select Board

How the Ashland Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. On July 1, 2020 the board chose Yolanda Greaves as Chair, Joe Magnani as Vice Chair and Brandi Kinsman as Clerk. Meetings were remote, with roll-call votes naming each member. Covers 28 meetings, July 1 to May 19, 2021.

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 budget
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

Your Ashland ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.

Start my ballot →

Board years

Coming up

No upcoming meeting is posted yet. Check the official calendar →

Under the state Open Meeting Law, boards post notice at least 48 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays.

What Town Meeting decided

In Ashland, 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 · May 6, 2026 10 votes: 8 passed, 1 failed, 1 no action

Sessions: May 6, 2026; adjourned to June 3, 2026 (dissolved, no further votes)

Source: Town Clerk: Annual Town Meeting minutes, May 6, 2026 (Agenda Center PDF).

Special Town Meeting (STM1) · November 19, 2025 17 votes: 12 passed, 5 withdrawn

Source: Town Clerk: Special Town Meeting minutes, November 19, 2025 - STM1 section (Agenda Center PDF; covers STM1 and STM2).

Special Town Meeting (STM2) · November 19, 2025 1 votes: 1 passed

Sessions: November 19, 2025 (one-article warrant, held the same night as STM1)

Source: Town Clerk: Special Town Meeting minutes, November 19, 2025 - STM2 section (Agenda Center PDF; covers STM1 and STM2).

Annual Town Meeting · May 7, 2025 20 votes: 16 passed, 1 failed, 2 withdrawn, 1 no action

Source: Town Clerk: Annual Town Meeting minutes, May 7, 2025, True Copy Attest (Agenda Center PDF).

Special Town Meeting · November 19, 2024 9 votes: 8 passed, 1 withdrawn

Source: Town Clerk: Special Town Meeting minutes, November 19, 2024, True Copy Attest (Agenda Center PDF).

Annual Town Meeting · May 1, 2024 14 votes: 11 passed, 1 passed as amended, 2 no action

Source: Town Clerk: Annual Town Meeting minutes, May 1, 2024, True Copy Attest (Agenda Center PDF).

Not here yet: The November 10, 2026 Special Town Meeting has not happened yet.

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

Brandi KinsmanClerk · At-large · at 26 of 28 meetingsSteve MitchellMember · At-large · at 28 of 28 meetingsRobert SchererMember · At-large · at 26 of 28 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: Ashland Select Board minutes from January 3, 2018 through September 23, 2026: 240 meetings and 1,669 votes. The town’s Agenda Center has the board’s minutes from 2008 on; MassVoter loaded 2018 on. The board was the Board of Selectmen until June 5, 2019, when it voted 3-2 to call itself the Select Board; its minutes are headed “Select Board” from June 19, 2019. Nearly all minutes are posted as scanned images, usually together with the meeting packet; MassVoter read the minutes pages with text recognition and checked names and counts against the page images where they were unclear. Not here: executive-session minutes (including released executive-session minutes posted on separate rows); the board’s sub-committees (Scholarship, BAA and community grant review, Valentine Property, Upper Charles Trail); cancelled meetings and public forums where no votes were taken; votes of the Planning Board, Board of Health, School Committee and Finance Committee at joint and Tri-Board meetings (only the Select Board members’ votes are shown, and joint votes with one combined count show the result only); the file posted as the November 28, 2018 minutes, which is another meeting’s minutes; and meetings with an agenda but no posted minutes (August 9, 2018; December 10, 2018; June 29, 2020; January 4, 2022; September 23, 2024; the March 1 and April 5, 2025 Tri-Board meetings; September 30, 2025; the October 23, 2025 joint meeting with the Planning Board, whose minutes the board approved on December 3, 2025; November 19, 2025; the February 2, 2026 budget workshop; the March 10, 2026 Tri-Board meeting; May 28, 2026; and the August 5, 2026 budget workshop). Minutes after September 23, 2026 are not posted yet. Ashland’s minutes name the mover and seconder and end each motion with a count (“Vote: 5-0-0. Motion approved.”); a count that equals the members present, with no one voting no or abstaining, is shown as each of them voting yes. When members take part remotely, and at every 2020–2021 remote meeting, votes are roll calls naming each member (“Greaves-aye, Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye ...”), shown by name. Members who vote no or abstain are named: from 2018 to 2022 in brackets after the count (“with a vote of 4-1-0 (Magnani)”, the minority side), and since 2023 with a label (“Vote: 4-1-0. Motion approved (J. Magnani, opposed)”). Members out of the room, recused or not yet arrived are not shown in those votes. Where the count and the members present or named do not match, we show the count only (15 votes); where the minutes give the result alone, we show the result only (6 votes). A motion with no recorded outcome is not counted as a vote. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 · Regular meeting13 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentWednesday, May 5, 2021 · Regular meeting8 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentWednesday, April 21, 2021 · Regular meeting10 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAbsent: Brandi KinsmanSaturday, April 10, 2021 · Special meeting1 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentWednesday, April 7, 2021 · Regular meeting5 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members present

Votes where members disagreed

Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.

Jan 20Joint appointment with the Board of Health: Barbara Sekesogundu-Simon…Motion: KG made a recommendation to have Barbara fill the interim Board…Passed 4–1 · No: Scherer

January 20, 2021: Joint appointment with the Board of Health: Barbara Sekesogundu-Simon to fill the interim Board of Health seat until the May 18, 2021 election

AppointPassed · 4–1

KG made a recommendation to have Barbara fill the interim Board of Health position until the election in on May 18, 2021. This nomination was seconded by Diane with a vote of Kinsman-ayc, Magnani-ayc, Mitchell-aye, Scherer-no, Greaves-aye, Mortensen-aye, Etskovitz-no, Narayana-aye; 6-2-0.

Yes: Greaves, Kinsman, Magnani, MitchellNo: SchererA joint vote of the Select Board and the Board of Health, by roll call naming each member (“Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, Scherer-no, Greaves-aye, Mortensen-aye, Etskovitz-no, Narayana-aye; 6-2-0”); only the Select Board members’ votes are shown. Board of Health members made and seconded the nomination.

From the minutes

“KG made a recommendation to have Barbara fill the interim Board of Health position until the election in on May 18, 2021. This nomination was seconded by Diane with a vote of Kinsman-ayc, Magnani-ayc, Mitchell-aye, Scherer-no, Greaves-aye, Mortensen-aye, Etskovitz-no, Narayana-aye; 6-2-0..”

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

Jan 20(the minutes do not state the motion)Motion: Steve read into record that the attached votes taken on January…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

January 20, 2021: (the minutes do not state the motion)

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Steve read into record that the attached votes taken on January 6, 2021, approving the sale of (i) the $11,130,000 General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2021 Bonds of the Town dated January 21, 2021 (the "Bonds") and (ii) the $3,999,000 1.00 percent General Obligation Bond Anticipation Note of the Town dated January 21, 2021, and payable January 21, 2022 (the "Notes"), and approving the terms and details of the Bonds and Notes, are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed. This motion was seconded by Brandi, with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, Scherer-aye, and Greaves-aye; 5-0-0.

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“Steve read into record that the attached votes taken on January 6, 2021, approving the sale of (i) the $11,130,000 General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2021 Bonds of the Town dated January 21, 2021 (the "Bonds") and (ii) the $3,999,000 1.00 percent General Obligation Bond Anticipation Note of the Town dated January 21, 2021, and payable January 21, 2022 (the "Notes"), and approving the terms and details of the Bonds and Notes, are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed. This motion was seconded by Brandi, with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, Scherer-aye, and Greaves-aye; 5-0-0..” (second: Kinsman)

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

Dec 11Close the Tax Classification HearingMotion: Steve made a motion to close the Tax Classification Hearing. Motion…Passed 4–0 · see note

December 11, 2020: Close the Tax Classification Hearing

ApprovePassed · 4–0

Steve made a motion to close the Tax Classification Hearing. Motion was seconded by Brandi, with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, and Greaves-aye; 4-0-0.

Yes: Greaves, Kinsman, Magnani, MitchellThe minutes say Robert Scherer arrived after the meeting began; the count (4-0-0) matches the 4 other members present, so Robert Scherer is not shown in this vote.

From the minutes

“Steve made a motion to close the Tax Classification Hearing. Motion was seconded by Brandi, with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, and Greaves-aye; 4-0-0..” (Motion: Mitchell, second: Kinsman)

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

Oct 7Deny the request for Columbus Day workMotion: Rob made a motion to deny the request for Columbus Day…Passed 4–1 · No: Greaves

October 7, 2020: Deny the request for Columbus Day work

DenyPassed · 4–1

Rob made a motion to deny the request for Columbus Day work. This motion was seconded by Joe with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, Scherer-aye, and Greaves-no; 4-1-0.

Yes: Kinsman, Magnani, Mitchell, SchererNo: Greaves

From the minutes

“Rob made a motion to deny the request for Columbus Day work. This motion was seconded by Joe with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, Scherer-aye, and Greaves-no; 4-1-0..” (Motion: Scherer, second: Magnani)

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

Oct 7Approve the request from the Ashland Garden Club in…Motion: Steve made a motion to approve the request from the Ashland…Passed 4–0 · see note

October 7, 2020: Approve the request from the Ashland Garden Club in the amount of $2,500.00

ApprovePassed · 4–0

Steve made a motion to approve the request from the Ashland Garden Club in the amount of $2,500.00. This motion was seconded by Rob with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, and Scherer-aye; 4-0-

Yes: Kinsman, Magnani, Mitchell, SchererThe roll call does not list Yolanda Greaves, who was at the meeting, so that member is left out of this vote.

From the minutes

“Steve made a motion to approve the request from the Ashland Garden Club in the amount of $2,500.00. This motion was seconded by Rob with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, and Scherer-aye; 4-0-.” (Motion: Mitchell, second: Scherer)

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

Aug 13Appoint Deepa Venkat to the Planning Board to fill…Motion: Yolanda Greaves made a motion to appoint Deepa Venkat to the…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note

August 13, 2020 (Joint meeting): Appoint Deepa Venkat to the Planning Board to fill the position vacated by Philip Williams, with the appointment to expire at the next annual Municipal Election

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 4 present

Yolanda Greaves made a motion to appoint Deepa Venkat to the Planning Board to fill the position vacated by Philip Williams, with the appointment to expire at the next annual Municipal Election. The motion was seconded by Dale Buchanan; Mitchell-aye, Magnani-aye, Scherer-aye, Greaves-aye; with a vote of 4-0-0.

Joint vote of the Select Board and the other board at this joint meeting; only the Select Board members’ votes are shown. It was seconded by Dale Buchanan, who is not a member of the Select Board.

From the minutes

“Yolanda Greaves made a motion to appoint Deepa Venkat to the Planning Board to fill the position vacated by Philip Williams, with the appointment to expire at the next annual Municipal Election. The motion was seconded by Dale Buchanan; Mitchell-aye, Magnani-aye, Scherer-aye, Greaves-aye; with a vote of 4-0-0..” (Motion: Greaves)

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

Jul 15Approve the request from VFW for outside dining expiring…Motion: Joe made a motion to approve the request from VFW for…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

July 15, 2020: Approve the request from VFW for outside dining expiring on November *

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Joe made a motion to approve the request from VFW for outside dining expiring on November *. This motion was seconded by Joe with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, Scherer-aye, and Greaves-aye; 5-0-0.

The minutes name Joseph Magnani as both the mover and the seconder, so no seconder is shown.

From the minutes

“Joe made a motion to approve the request from VFW for outside dining expiring on November *. This motion was seconded by Joe with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, Scherer-aye, and Greaves-aye; 5-0-0..” (Motion: Magnani)

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

Jul 15Support the Chapter 90 bond billMotion: Rob made a motion to support the Chapter 90 bond bill.…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

July 15, 2020: Support the Chapter 90 bond bill

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Rob made a motion to support the Chapter 90 bond bill. This motion was seconded by Rob with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, Scherer-aye, and Greaves-aye: 5-0-0.

The minutes name Robert Scherer as both the mover and the seconder, so no seconder is shown.

From the minutes

“Rob made a motion to support the Chapter 90 bond bill. This motion was seconded by Rob with a vote of Kinsman-aye, Magnani-aye, Mitchell-aye, Scherer-aye, and Greaves-aye: 5-0-0..” (Motion: Scherer)

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

From the Ashland Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (Select Board). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): WACA-TV Ashland videos — Brandi Kinsman (July 2026), Makeda Keegan (September 2026), Joseph Magnani (May 2026), Yolanda Greaves (May 2025) and Claudia Bennett (March 2025). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.

How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →
Get an email when new quizzes open

MassVoter.com · nonpartisan match quiz · About · How the Legislature voted · Local Votes · Privacy · Support MassVoter

Report an error on this page

See something wrong? A wrong vote, name, date or number? Tell us and we’ll check it against the source and fix it. Fixes are listed on our corrections page.