MassVoter.com← AshlandMunicipal votes · 2023–2024 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 June 7, 2023 the board chose Rob Scherer as Chair, Yolanda Greaves as Vice Chair and Joe Magnani as Clerk. Rob Scherer’s last meeting was May 15, 2024; Makeda Keegan joined the board after the May 21, 2024 town election (her first meeting was May 24, 2024). Covers 29 meetings, June 7 to May 24, 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 budgetBoard 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)
- Art. 1 Hear reports of town committees No action “There was no vote required so the meeting moved on.”
- Art. 2 Transfer $1,640,256 from the General Stabilization Fund to support the FY2027 budget Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 2: Motion passed overwhelmingly by the required two-thirds majority.”
- Art. 3 Transfer $300,000 from the Special Education Stabilization Fund to the General Fund Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 3: Motion passed overwhelmingly by the required two-thirds majority.”
- Art. 4 Adopt FY2027 budget: raise $85,243,865 for the General Fund plus water, sewer, trash and other enterprise budgets Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 4: Passed”
- Art. 5 Transfer $375,000 to the OPEB (retiree health) Trust Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 5: Passed”
- Art. 6 Annual consent article: grants, road contracts, multi-year contracts, lease-purchase, revolving fund limits and more Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 6: The Moderator declared a 2/3 vote”
- Art. 7 Community Preservation Act consent article: FY2027 CPA appropriations Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 7: Passed”
- Art. 8 Buy or take by eminent domain 11.4 acres at 41 Lincoln Road for the Town Forest (up to $845,000 plus $40,000 in CPA funds) Failed “The motion failed to achieve a majority and therefore failed. · Yes: 140 No: 157”
- Art. 9 Add Secondary Suite rules to the Building Construction bylaw (Chapter 98) Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 9: Passed”
- Art. 10 Amend zoning section 9.6 Design Plan Review (committee makeup and where review applies) Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 10: The Moderator declared a 2/3 majority”
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
- Art. 17 Citizen petition: resolution against town business with Musk-owned companies (petitioners asked to withdraw) Withdrawn “VOTE ON ARTICLE 17: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 1 Transfer $3,022,461 from free cash to stabilization, OPEB, special education stabilization and capital accounts Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 1: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 2 Amend FY2026 budget: net increase of $154,236 (schools, conservation, inspections, treasurer; Keefe Tech reduced) Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 2: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 3 Set senior property tax exemption (Clause 41C1/2) at 12% for FY2026 Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 3: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 4 Appropriate CPA funds to create Nature’s Edge at MetroWest YMCA Withdrawn “WITHDRAWN: No action required.”
- Art. 5 Appropriate up to $40,000 in CPA funds for Town Forest survey work and appraisals Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 5: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 6 Appropriate CPA funds to buy 11 acres for the Town Forest Withdrawn “WITHDRAWN: No action required.”
- Art. 7 Appropriate up to $50,000 in CPA funds for invasive plant management at Beaverdam Brook conservation area Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 7: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 8 Appropriate up to $25,000 in CPA funds to replace the high school softball field surface Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 8: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 9 Accept MGL c. 272 s. 73A to allow removal of gravestones for repair by approved teams Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 9: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 10 Accept MGL c. 138 s. 12D to allow trading wine and malt licenses for all-alcohol licenses Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 10: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 11 Update In-law bylaw Withdrawn “WITHDRAWN: No action required.”
- Art. 12 Amend Dog Kennel and animal control bylaw (Chapter 87) Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 12: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 13 Add Municipal Tax Payment Agreement bylaw (MGL c. 60 s. 62A) Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 13: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 14 Accept Donnelly gift parcel (moved to STM2 because of a drafting error) Withdrawn “WITHDRAWN: No action required.”
- Art. 15 Allow a conservation restriction with The Trustees of Reservations on up to 27 acres gifted near Pond Street Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 15: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 16 Resolution endorsing the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, Envision Ashland Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 16: Passed unanimously”
Special Town Meeting (STM2) · November 19, 2025 1 votes: 1 passed
Sessions: November 19, 2025 (one-article warrant, held the same night as STM1)
- Art. 1 Acquire 14.26 acres at 0 Oregon Road (Donnelly gift parcel) to expand the Town Forest Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 1: Passed unanimously”
Annual Town Meeting · May 7, 2025 20 votes: 16 passed, 1 failed, 2 withdrawn, 1 no action
- Art. 1 Hear reports of town committees No action “There was no vote required so the meeting moved on.”
- Art. 3 Transfer $300,000 from the Special Education Stabilization Fund to the General Fund Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 3: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 4 Adopt FY2026 budget: raise $79,331,386 for the General Fund plus water, sewer, trash and other enterprise budgets Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 4: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 2 Transfer $2,256,720 from the General Stabilization Fund to support the FY2026 budget Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 2: The Moderator declared a 2/3 vote.”
- Art. 5 Transfer $375,000 to the OPEB (retiree health) Trust Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 5: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 6 Annual consent article: grants, road contracts, multi-year contracts, lease-purchase, revolving fund limits and more Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 6: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 7 Community Preservation Act consent article: FY2026 CPA appropriations and bond payments Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 7: Passed”
- Art. 8 Appropriate $500,000 in CPA funds to create the Ashland Arboretum Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 8: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 9 Appropriate up to $110,000 in CPA funds to digitize town records for historic preservation Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 9: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 10 Appropriate up to $60,000 in CPA funds for Ashland Bark Park (dog park) improvements Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 10: Passed”
- Art. 11 Accept Sec. 40 of Ch. 653 of the Acts of 1989 to tax new construction finished Jan. 1-June 30 in the current year Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 11: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 12 Borrow $2,000,000 more for the water treatment plant ozone system replacement Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 12: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 13 Borrow $3,000,000 more for water main replacement projects Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 13: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 14 Borrow $1,214,000 for sewer infiltration and inflow improvements (MWRA program) Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 14: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 15 Create a Local Historic District (Ashland Centre) and Historic District Commission bylaw Failed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 15: Failed (111-66) · 111-66”
- Art. 16 Buy or take land at 81 and 0 Pond Street for a multi-modal trail Withdrawn “WITHDRAWN: No action required.”
- Art. 17 Replace zoning section 7.6 with a new Accessory Dwelling Unit bylaw Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 17: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 18 Replace zoning section 8.1 Floodplain Overlay District Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 18: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 19 Amend site plan review procedures (zoning section 9.4.5.3) to require a public hearing Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 19: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 20 Amend Dog Kennel bylaw (Chapter 87) Withdrawn “WITHDRAWN: No action needed.”
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
- Art. 1 Transfer $2,792,803 from free cash to stabilization, OPEB, special education stabilization and capital accounts Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 1: Article 1 passed unanimously”
- Art. 2 Raise FY2025 capital outlay budget by $1,033,925 to $3,723,925 Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 2: Article 2 passed unanimously”
- Art. 3 Set senior property tax exemption (Clause 41C1/2) at 12% Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 3: Article 3 passed unanimously”
- Art. 4 Correct a lot number in the May 2024 vote accepting a gift of land (Map 18 to Map 27 Lot 0100) Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 4: Article 4 passed unanimously”
- Art. 5 Borrow $1,000,000 for water main replacement projects Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 5: Article 5 passed unanimously”
- Art. 6 Appropriate up to $18,750 in CPA funds for a Waushakum Pond restoration study with Framingham Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 6: Article 6 passed unanimously”
- Art. 7 Add a new Blight bylaw (Chapter 266) Withdrawn “VOTE ON ARTICLE 7: Withdrawn”
- Art. 8 Add MBTA Communities Multi-family Overlay District to zoning bylaw and map Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 8: Article 8 passed”
- Art. 9 Buy or take about 52 acres at 0 Winter Street for the Town Forest, paid from the capital account Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 9: Article 9 passed unanimously”
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
- Art. 1 Hear reports of town committees No action “There was no vote required so the meeting moved on to Article 2.”
- Art. 2 Adopt the FY2025 balanced budget of $94,027,947 Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 2: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 3 Transfer $350,000 to the OPEB (retiree health) Trust Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 3: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 4 Transfer $250,000 from the Special Education Stabilization Fund to the General Fund Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 4: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 5 Annual consent article: grants, road contracts, multi-year contracts, lease-purchase, revolving fund limits, easements Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 5: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 6 Community Preservation Act consent article: FY2025 CPA appropriations and CPA bond payments Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 6: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 14 Zoning bylaw for MBTA Communities multi-family housing No action “Town Meeting can’t consider the article and no action will be taken on it.”
- Art. 7 Appropriate $40,000 in CPA funds to paint and preserve the Library interior Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 7: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 8 Accept gift of land from the Hopkinton Land Trust (Map 18 lots) for conservation and municipal use Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 8: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 9 Raise 2022 borrowing for Middle School locker rooms and fire tower truck by $264,092.27 to $1,964,092.27 Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 9: The Moderator declared a 2/3 majority.”
- Art. 10 Reauthorize Public Safety Building borrowing to include land acquisition Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 10: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 11 Borrow $4,000,000 to replace the ozone system at the Howe Street water treatment plant Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 11: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 12 Amend Demolition Delay bylaw for historically or architecturally significant buildings Passed as amended “VOTE ON ARTICLE 12: Passed”
- Art. 13 Adopt the Specialized Energy Code in the General Bylaws (effective January 1, 2025) Passed “VOTE ON ARTICLE 13: Passed”
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
Vice-ChairYolanda GreavesVice Chair · At-large · at 27 of 29 meetings
Claudia BennettMember · At-large · at 27 of 29 meetings
Makeda KeeganMember · At-large · at 1 of 1 meetings · from May 2024
Brandi KinsmanMember · At-large · at 28 of 29 meetings
Joseph MagnaniClerk · At-large · at 28 of 29 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.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
May 24Approve the letter that Mr. Herbert has drafted with…Motion: Ms. Greaves motion to approve the letter that Mr. Herbert has…Passed 4–0 · see note
May 24, 2024: Approve the letter that Mr. Herbert has drafted with some updating and wordsmithing to be sent to Mass Housing by May 29, 2024
Ms. Greaves motion to approve the letter that Mr. Herbert has drafted with some updating and wordsmithing to be sent to Mass Housing by May 29, 2024. Motion was seconded by Ms. Bennett roll-call vote Ms. Kinsman- aye, Ms. Keegan-aye, Ms. Bennett-aye, Mr. Magnani-aye and Ms. Greaves.
Yes: Bennett, Keegan, Kinsman, MagnaniThe roll call names Yolanda Greaves but records no vote for that member, so that member is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Ms. Greaves motion to approve the letter that Mr. Herbert has drafted with some updating and wordsmithing to be sent to Mass Housing by May 29, 2024. Motion was seconded by Ms. Bennett roll-call vote Ms. Kinsman- aye, Ms. Keegan-aye, Ms. Bennett-aye, Mr. Magnani-aye and Ms. Greaves..” (Motion: Greaves, second: Bennett)
Apr 3Support Ms. Iacaponi's original proposal with a change to…Motion: Motion: Ms. Kinsman motioned to support Ms. Iacaponi's original proposal with…Passed 4–1 · No: Scherer
April 3, 2024: Support Ms. Iacaponi's original proposal with a change to make the flat trash fee a 15% increase across, for both regular and seniors, for a total average increase of approximately…
Motion: Ms. Kinsman motioned to support Ms. Iacaponi's original proposal with a change to make the flat trash fee a 15% increase across, for both regular and seniors, for a total average increase of approximately $108. Ms. Greaves seconded the motion. Vote: 4-1-0. Motion approved (Mr. Scherer opposed).
Yes: Bennett, Greaves, Kinsman, MagnaniNo: Scherer
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Kinsman motioned to support Ms. Iacaponi's original proposal with a change to make the flat trash fee a 15% increase across, for both regular and seniors, for a total average increase of approximately $108. Ms. Greaves seconded the motion. Vote: 4-1-0. Motion approved (Mr. Scherer opposed)..” (Motion: Kinsman, second: Greaves)
Mar 6Take the recommendations from our Animal Control Officer and…Motion: Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion that the Board take the…Passed 4–1 · No: Magnani
March 6, 2024: Take the recommendations from our Animal Control Officer and impose restrictions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7
Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion that the Board take the recommendations from our Animal Control Officer and impose restrictions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. Ms. Kinsman seconded the motion. Ms. Bennett complimented the civility; she noted this is a huge commitment and if at some point Ms. Roskum feels she cannot go forward with the restrictions in place, that she will do the right thing for everybody. Mr. Scherer understands the trauma involved, and agreed he would rather take these measures rather than euthanizing the dog. The Board discussed the restriction pertaining to children having care or custody of the dog. Vote: 4-1-0. Motion approved (J. Magnani, opposed).
Yes: Bennett, Greaves, Kinsman, SchererNo: Magnani
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion that the Board take the recommendations from our Animal Control Officer and impose restrictions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. Ms. Kinsman seconded the motion. Ms. Bennett complimented the civility; she noted this is a huge commitment and if at some point Ms. Roskum feels she cannot go forward with the restrictions in place, that she will do the right thing for everybody. Mr. Scherer understands the trauma involved, and agreed he would rather take these measures rather than euthanizing the dog. The Board discussed the restriction pertaining to children having care or custody of the dog. Vote: 4-1-0. Motion approved (J. Magnani, opposed)..” (Motion: Greaves, second: Kinsman)
Jan 24Appoint Marcy Culverwell to the School CommitteeMotion: Mr. Kendall made a motion to appoint Marcy Culverwell to the…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
January 24, 2024 (Joint meeting): Appoint Marcy Culverwell to the School Committee
Mr. Kendall made a motion to appoint Marcy Culverwell to the School Committee. Ms. Fitanides seconded the motion. Vote: Bennett: Yes Kinsman: Yes Magnani: Yes Fitanides: Yes Kendall: Yes Tosti: Yes Ms. Tosti thanked all the candidates for their time and participation.
Joint vote of the Select Board and the other board at this joint meeting; only the Select Board members’ votes are shown. The motion was made by Mr. Kendall, who is not a member of the Select Board. It was seconded by Ms. Fitanides, who is not a member of the Select Board.
From the minutes
“Mr. Kendall made a motion to appoint Marcy Culverwell to the School Committee. Ms. Fitanides seconded the motion. Vote: Bennett: Yes Kinsman: Yes Magnani: Yes Fitanides: Yes Kendall: Yes Tosti: Yes Ms. Tosti thanked all the candidates for their time and participation..”
Nov 15Dissolve the Project Management TeamMotion: Motion: Ms. Kinsman made a motion to dissolve the Project Management…Failed · see note
November 15, 2023: Dissolve the Project Management Team
Motion: Ms. Kinsman made a motion to dissolve the Project Management Team, which was seconded by Ms. Bennett. Discussion continued; Deepa Venkat, Planning Board, suggested having the Consultant weigh in; Ms. Kendall agreed and does not believe the current Project Management Team can function together. Ms. Tesmenitsky feels they are a strong team, and can work well together, that she and Ms. Jurezyk play a vital role. Ms. Greaves noted the Project Management Team has gotten to some good points but it has been difficult; she noted she is tom on dissolving the Team. We have a good product, there is a benefit; there should be further discussion. Mr. Magnani agreed that they should wait to discuss this with the Consultant, unless it needs to be resolved now. Vote: The Motion did not pass. 3-7-0.
A joint vote of the Planning Board and the Select Board: “Vote: The Motion did not pass. 3-7-0.” The count covers both boards and the minutes do not say who voted which way, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Kinsman made a motion to dissolve the Project Management Team, which was seconded by Ms. Bennett. Discussion continued; Deepa Venkat, Planning Board, suggested having the Consultant weigh in; Ms. Kendall agreed and does not believe the current Project Management Team can function together. Ms. Tesmenitsky feels they are a strong team, and can work well together, that she and Ms. Jurezyk play a vital role. Ms. Greaves noted the Project Management Team has gotten to some good points but it has been difficult; she noted she is tom on dissolving the Team. We have a good product, there is a benefit; there should be further discussion. Mr. Magnani agreed that they should wait to discuss this with the Consultant, unless it needs to be resolved now. Vote: The Motion did not pass. 3-7-0..” (Motion: Kinsman, second: Bennett)
Nov 15Maintain the document originally drafted, as the driving guiding…Motion: Motion: Mr. Arjona made a motion to maintain the document originally…Passed 2–2 · No: Bennett, Kinsman · Abstained: Magnani
November 15, 2023: Maintain the document originally drafted, as the driving guiding document to resolve any current and future impasses
Motion: Mr. Arjona made a motion to maintain the document originally drafted, as the driving guiding document to resolve any current and future impasses, which was seconded by Ms. Tesmenitsky. Discussion continued as to the content of the document. Vote: Motion approved. 7-2-1. (Kinsman, Bennett-opposed. Magnani-abstained) The Planning Board adjourned at 10:15 PM; Mr. Scherer thanked the Planning Board for the discussion and is certain that all will continue to do their great work.
Yes: Greaves, SchererNo: Bennett, KinsmanAbstained: MagnaniA joint vote of the Planning Board and the Select Board on a Planning Board member’s motion: “Vote: Motion approved. 7-2-1. (Kinsman, Bennett-opposed. Magnani-abstained)”. The count covers all ten members of both boards present, and the minutes name the two who voted no and the one who abstained, so Robert Scherer and Yolanda Greaves are shown voting yes. The motion passed on the combined count. The motion was made by Mr. Arjona, who is not a member of the Select Board. It was seconded by Ms. Tesmenitsky, who is not a member of the Select Board.
From the minutes
“Motion: Mr. Arjona made a motion to maintain the document originally drafted, as the driving guiding document to resolve any current and future impasses, which was seconded by Ms. Tesmenitsky. Discussion continued as to the content of the document. Vote: Motion approved. 7-2-1. (Kinsman, Bennett-opposed. Magnani-abstained) The Planning Board adjourned at 10:15 PM; Mr. Scherer thanked the Planning Board for the discussion and is certain that all will continue to do their great work..”
Oct 4Approve the sale of $17,588,103 in bond anticipation notes…Motion: Mr. Magnani, as Clerk read the following: Motion: I, the Clerk…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
October 4, 2023: Approve the sale of $17,588,103 in bond anticipation notes for the Mindess School (Clerk’s certificate of the votes)
Mr. Magnani, as Clerk read the following: Motion: I, the Clerk of the Select Board of the Town of Ashland, Massachusetts, certify that at a meeting of the Board held October 4, 2023, of which meeting all Members of the Board were duly notified and at which a quorum was present, the following votes were unanimously passed, all of which appear upon the official record of the Board in my custody: Voted: We hereby determine, in accordance with G.L. c. 70B, that the cost of the of the David Mindess Elementary school construction project authorized by vote of the Town passed on January 23, 2021 (Article 2) being financed with proceeds of a portion of the Notes defined below, together with all other bonds and notes of the Town previously issued to pay costs of this project, does not exceed the portion of the total cost of the project that is not being paid by the school facilities grant and we hereby approve the issuance of notes and bonds to finance this project under G.L. c. 70B. Further Voted: to approve the sale of a $17,588,103 at 5.00 percent General Obligation Bond Anticipation Notes (the "Notes") of the Town dated October 10, 2023, and payable October 10, 2024, to TD Securities (USA) LLC at par and accrued interest, if any, plus a premium of $196,107.35. Further Voted: that in connection with the marketing and sale of the Notes, the preparation and distribution of a Notice of Sale and Preliminary Official Statement dated September 19, 2023, and a final Official Statement dat
Mr. Magnani, as Clerk, read the votes into the record; the minutes do not name a mover. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Mr. Magnani, as Clerk read the following: Motion: I, the Clerk of the Select Board of the Town of Ashland, Massachusetts, certify that at a meeting of the Board held October 4, 2023, of which meeting all Members of the Board were duly notified and at which a quorum was present, the following votes were unanimously passed, all of which appear upon the official record of the Board in my custody: Voted: We hereby determine, in accordance with G.L. c. 70B, that the cost of the of the David Mindess Elementary school construction project authorized by vote of the Town passed on January 23, 2021 (Article 2) being financed with proceeds of a portion of the Notes defined below, together with all other bonds and notes of the Town previously issued to pay costs of this project, does not exceed the portion of the total cost of the project that is not being paid by the school facilities grant and we hereby approve the issuance of notes and bonds to finance this project under G.L. c. 70B. Further Voted: to approve the sale of a $17,588,103 at 5.00 percent General Obligation Bond Anticipation Notes (the "Notes") of the Town dated October 10, 2023, and payable October 10, 2024, to TD Securities (USA) LLC at par and accrued interest, if any, plus a premium of $196,107.35. Further Voted: that in connection with the marketing and sale of the Notes, the preparation and distribution of a Notice of Sale and Preliminary Official Statement dated September 19, 2023, and a final Official Statement dated September 26, 2023, each in such form as may be approved by the Town Treasurer, be and hereby are ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted. Further Voted: that the Town Treasurer and the Select Board be, and hereby are, authorized to execute and deliver a significant events disclosure undertaking in compliance with SEC Rule 15c2-12 in such form as may be approved by bond counsel to the Town, which undertaking shall be incorporated by reference in the Notes for the benefit of the holders of the Notes from time to time. Further Voted: that we authorize and direct the Town Treasurer to establish post issuance federal tax compliance procedures and continuing disclosure procedures in such forms as the Town Treasurer and bond counsel deem sufficient, or if such procedures are currently in place, to review and update said procedures, in order to monitor and maintain the tax-exempt status of the Notes and to comply with relevant securities laws. Further Voted: that any certificates or documents relating to the Notes (collectively, the "Documents"), may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be regarded as an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same document; delivery of an executed counterpart ofa signature page to a Document by electronic mail in a "pdf" file or by other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart signature page to such Document; and electronic signatures on any of the Documents shall be deemed original signatures for the purposes of the Documents and all matters relating thereto, having the same legal effect as original signatures. Further Voted: that each member of the Select Board, the Town Clerk and the Town Treasurer be and hereby are, authorized to take any and all such actions, and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts or other documents as may be determined by them, or any of them, to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the foregoing votes. L further certify that the votes were taken at a meeting open to the public, that no vote was taken by secret ballot, that a notice stating the place, date, time and agenda for the meeting (which agenda included the adoption of the above votes) was filed with the Town Clerk and a copy thereof posted in a manner conspicuously visible to the public at all hours in or on the municipal building that the office of the Town Clerk is located or, if applicable, in accordance with an alternative method of notice prescribed or approved by the Attorney General as set forth in 940 CMR 29.03(2)(b), at least 48 hours, not including Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, prior to the time of the meeting and remained so posted at the time of the meeting, that no deliberations or decision in connection with the sale of the Notes were taken in executive session, all in accordance with G.L. c.30A, §§18-25 as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Kinsman. Vote: 4-0-0. Motion approved..” (second: Kinsman)
Sep 14Appoint Ms. Hayes as an associate member of the…Motion: Mr. Kinsman motioned to appoint Ms. Hayes as an associate member…Passed 4–1 · No: Scherer
September 14, 2023 (Joint meeting): Appoint Ms. Hayes as an associate member of the Planning Board for a three-year term ending June 30, 2026
Mr. Kinsman motioned to appoint Ms. Hayes as an associate member of the Planning Board for a three-year term ending June 30, 2026. Venkat-aye, Jurczyk-aye, Tesmenitsky-aye, and Kendall-aye, with a vote of 4-0-0. Bennett-aye, Magnani-aye, Kinsman-aye, Greaves-aye, and Scherer-no, with a vote of 4-1-0.
Yes: Bennett, Greaves, Kinsman, MagnaniNo: SchererA joint appointment by the Planning Board and the Select Board, each voting by roll call (Select Board: “Bennett-aye, Magnani-aye, Kinsman-aye, Greaves-aye, and Scherer-no, with a vote of 4-1-0”). The Planning Board’s minutes say “Mr. Kinsman motioned”; the board member named Kinsman is Ms. Brandi Kinsman, so no mover is shown.
From the minutes
“Mr. Kinsman motioned to appoint Ms. Hayes as an associate member of the Planning Board for a three-year term ending June 30, 2026. Venkat-aye, Jurczyk-aye, Tesmenitsky-aye, and Kendall-aye, with a vote of 4-0-0. Bennett-aye, Magnani-aye, Kinsman-aye, Greaves-aye, and Scherer-no, with a vote of 4-1-0..”
Aug 16Authorize the Chair to sign the Cedar Street Cell…Motion: Motion: Ms. Kinsman made a motion to authorize the Chair to…Passed 4–0 · see note
August 16, 2023: Authorize the Chair to sign the Cedar Street Cell Tower Contract between T- Mobile Northeast LLC and Town of Ashl
Motion: Ms. Kinsman made a motion to authorize the Chair to sign the Cedar Street Cell Tower Contract between T- Mobile Northeast LLC and Town of Ashland. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bennett. Vote: 4-0-1(Greaves absent (temporarily)). b.
Yes: Bennett, Kinsman, Magnani, SchererThe minutes say Yolanda Greaves was not present for this vote, so that member is not shown voting. The count (4-0-1) gives Yolanda Greaves, who was not present for the vote, as the third number; the other 4 members present are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Kinsman made a motion to authorize the Chair to sign the Cedar Street Cell Tower Contract between T- Mobile Northeast LLC and Town of Ashland. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bennett. Vote: 4-0-1(Greaves absent (temporarily)). b..” (Motion: Kinsman, second: Bennett)
Jul 12Appoint Ron Etskovitz as the new Member of the…Motion: Motion: Ms. Sekesogundu Simon made a motion to appoint Ron Etskovitz…Passed · see note
July 12, 2023: Appoint Ron Etskovitz as the new Member of the Board of Health until the next election
Motion: Ms. Sekesogundu Simon made a motion to appoint Ron Etskovitz as the new Member of the Board of Health until the next election. Mr. Magnani seconded the motion. Vote: 9-0-0. Motion approved.
A joint vote of the Select Board and the Board of Health to fill a Board of Health vacancy (“Vote: 9-0-0”); the minutes give one count for both boards, so the result only is shown. The motion was made by Sekesogundu Simon, who is not a member of the Select Board.
From the minutes
“Motion: Ms. Sekesogundu Simon made a motion to appoint Ron Etskovitz as the new Member of the Board of Health until the next election. Mr. Magnani seconded the motion. Vote: 9-0-0. Motion approved..” (second: Magnani)
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.
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