← Ashland Select Board

Ashland Former Select Board member

Robert Scherer

At-large · 8 terms in this record

Rob Scherer

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Board years

Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2023–2024 Board

27 of 28meetings attended (96%) · whole board 95%
135votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
2no votes (1% of votes cast) · whole board 1%
3 of 5split votes where Scherer was in the minority · whole board 21%
0abstained
8terms in this record

On split votes, Scherer voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2023–2024 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Scherer 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 27 of 28 Select Board meetings in 2023–2024 Board.

Missed

Every meeting (28)

Votes where members disagreed · 2023–2024 Board

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 · Scherer: No

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…

ApprovePassed · 4–1

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).

Voted: No

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)

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

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 · Scherer: Yes

March 6, 2024: Take the recommendations from our Animal Control Officer and impose restrictions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7

ApprovePassed · 4–1

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).

Voted: Yes

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)

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

Jan 24Appoint Marcy Culverwell to the School CommitteeMotion: Mr. Kendall made a motion to appoint Marcy Culverwell to the…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Scherer: Not recorded

January 24, 2024 (Joint meeting): Appoint Marcy Culverwell to the School Committee

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 3 present

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..”

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

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 · Scherer: Yes

November 15, 2023: Maintain the document originally drafted, as the driving guiding document to resolve any current and future impasses

ApprovePassed · 2–2

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.

Voted: Yes

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..”

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

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 · Scherer: Yes

October 4, 2023: Approve the sale of $17,588,103 in bond anticipation notes for the Mindess School (Clerk’s certificate of the votes)

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 4 present

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

Voted: Yes

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)

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

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 · Scherer: No

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

AppointPassed · 4–1

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.

Voted: No

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..”

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

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 · Scherer: Yes

August 16, 2023: Authorize the Chair to sign the Cedar Street Cell Tower Contract between T- Mobile Northeast LLC and Town of Ashl

ApprovePassed · 4–0

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.

Voted: Yes

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)

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

Jul 12Add a Spencer statue at the Community CenterMotion: Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to add a Spencer statue…Failed 2–3 · Scherer: Yes

July 12, 2023: Add a Spencer statue at the Community Center

ApproveFailed · 2–3

Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to add a Spencer statue at the Community Center which was seconded by Mr. Scherer. Vote: The motion failed. 2-3-0 (Greaves-Aye, Scherer-Aye, Bennett-Nay, Kinsman-Nay, Magnani-Nay).

Voted: Yes

Yes: Greaves, SchererNo: Bennett, Kinsman, Magnani

From the minutes

“Motion: Ms. Greaves made a motion to add a Spencer statue at the Community Center which was seconded by Mr. Scherer. Vote: The motion failed. 2-3-0 (Greaves-Aye, Scherer-Aye, Bennett-Nay, Kinsman-Nay, Magnani-Nay)..” (Motion: Greaves, second: Scherer)

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

Jun 7Nominate Greaves as Vice ChairMotion: Magnani nominated Greaves as Vice Chair seconded by Magnani unanimous vote…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · Scherer: Yes

June 7, 2023: Nominate Greaves as Vice Chair

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Magnani nominated Greaves as Vice Chair seconded by Magnani unanimous vote of 5-0-0.

Voted: Yes

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

From the minutes

“Magnani nominated Greaves as Vice Chair seconded by Magnani unanimous vote of 5-0-0..” (Motion: Magnani)

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

Jun 7Special ElectionMotion: Motion made by Select Board Member Bennett seconded Clerk, Magnani 5-0-0.Passed Unanimous, 5 present · Scherer: Yes

June 7, 2023: Special Election

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Motion made by Select Board Member Bennett seconded Clerk, Magnani 5-0-0.

Voted: Yes

The minutes name Claudia Bennett as both the mover and the seconder, so no seconder is shown.

From the minutes

“Motion made by Select Board Member Bennett seconded Clerk, Magnani 5-0-0..” (Motion: Bennett)

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

Votes with no disagreement (126)

    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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