MassVoter.com← BellinghamMunicipal votes · 2024–2025 Board
Bellingham Select Board
How the Bellingham Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. Don Martinis and Jennifer Altomonte joined the board after the June 2024 town election (Ann Odabashian re-elected); Michael Connor was not re-elected. On June 17, 2024 the board chose Sahan Sahin as Chairman and Mike Hennessy as Vice Chairman (all members voting in favor). Covers 25 meetings, June 17 to June 2, 2025.
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 budgetYour Bellingham ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
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Under the state Open Meeting Law, boards post notice at least 48 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays.
Members
Jennifer AltomonteMember · Elected townwide · at 25 of 25 meetings
Don MartinisMember · Elected townwide · at 24 of 25 meetingsAnn OdabashianMember · Elected townwide · at 24 of 25 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: Bellingham Select Board (the town writes “Selectboard”; earlier called the Board of Selectmen) minutes from January 25, 2021 through August 24, 2026, from the town’s Agenda Center, which holds the board’s minutes from 2021 on, plus six meetings from January 22 to April 23, 2018 kept in an archived copy of the town’s old website. Not here: minutes from May 2018 through December 2020 and for January 2021 before January 25, which are not online (MassVoter is asking the town for them); the April 11, 2023 meeting (the file posted for it is a copy of the April 11, 2022 minutes); the February 16, 2022 and May 15, 2023 meetings (agenda only); and meetings after August 24, 2026 (the town usually posts minutes about six weeks after a meeting). Most minutes from 2021 to early 2026 (128 files) are scanned images, which MassVoter read with text recognition and checked by hand; 17 are typed files. Bellingham’s minutes give the mover and seconder of each motion (“On a Spencer/Altomonte motion”) and usually a count (“the Board unanimously voted 5-0”), naming any member who votes no or abstains (“voted 3-1 with Mr. Martinis opposing”); some votes are roll calls by name. When the count matches the members present, each member is shown voting as recorded; when the minutes say “unanimously” without a count, every member present is shown voting yes. Where a count does not match the members present, or a split count does not say who voted which way, we show the count only and add a note; where the minutes give no count at all, we show the result only. Joint votes with the Planning Board, Housing Authority or Library Trustees show only the Select Board members’ votes. 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.
Apr 28Appoint Elizabeth "Liz" Berthelette to the Planning Board until…Motion: On a Martinis/Hennessy motion the Selectboard and Planning Board members were…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
April 28, 2025: Appoint Elizabeth "Liz" Berthelette to the Planning Board until the 2026 town election (joint vote with the Planning Board)
On a Martinis/Hennessy motion the Selectboard and Planning Board members were polled and all voted unanimously in favor of appointing Elizabeth "Liz" Berthelette as a member to the Planning Board until the 2026 Municipal Town Election at which time Mrs. Berthelette would need to run to fill the unexpired term ending in 2027.
A joint vote of the Select Board and the Planning Board ("all voted unanimously in favor").
From the minutes
“On a Martinis/Hennessy motion the Selectboard and Planning Board members were polled and all voted unanimously in favor of appointing Elizabeth "Liz" Berthelette as a member to the Planning Board until the 2026 Municipal Town Election at which time Mrs. Berthelette would need to run to fill the unexpired term ending in 2027..” (Motion: Martinis)
Apr 7Allow voting by mail, but not in-person early voting,…Motion: Mrs. Odabashian made a motion to approve voting by mail but…Passed 4–1 · No: Hennessy
April 7, 2025: Allow voting by mail, but not in-person early voting, for the annual town election
Mrs. Odabashian made a motion to approve voting by mail but not in-person early voting for the annual municipal election. The motion was seconded by Mr. Martinis. The Board was polled, and the roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Martinis aye Mrs. Altomonte aye Mr. Hennessy no Mr. Sahin aye Mrs. Odabashian aye
Yes: Altomonte, Martinis, Odabashian, SahinNo: Hennessy
From the minutes
“Mrs. Odabashian made a motion to approve voting by mail but not in-person early voting for the annual municipal election. The motion was seconded by Mr. Martinis. The Board was polled, and the roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Martinis aye Mrs. Altomonte aye Mr. Hennessy no Mr. Sahin aye Mrs. Odabashian aye.” (Motion: Odabashian, second: Martinis)
Apr 7Keep the original five-member Town Administrator screening committeeMotion: Mr. Martinis made a motion to stay with the original five-member…Passed 3–2 · No: Altomonte, Sahin
April 7, 2025: Keep the original five-member Town Administrator screening committee
Mr. Martinis made a motion to stay with the original five-member screening committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hennessy. The Board was polled, and the roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Martinis aye Mrs. Altomonte no Mr. Hennessy aye Mr. Sahin no Mrs. Odabashian aye
Yes: Hennessy, Martinis, OdabashianNo: Altomonte, Sahin
From the minutes
“Mr. Martinis made a motion to stay with the original five-member screening committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hennessy. The Board was polled, and the roll call vote was as follows: Mr. Martinis aye Mrs. Altomonte no Mr. Hennessy aye Mr. Sahin no Mrs. Odabashian aye.” (Motion: Martinis, second: Hennessy)
Mar 3Support placing the zoning article changing the definition of…Motion: On a motion the Board unanimously voted 5-0 to support and…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
March 3, 2025: Support placing the zoning article changing the definition of livestock on the Annual Town Meeting warrant
On a motion the Board unanimously voted 5-0 to support and recommend the Zoning Article be placed on the Annual Town Meeting warrant.
The minutes do not say who made or seconded this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion the Board unanimously voted 5-0 to support and recommend the Zoning Article be placed on the Annual Town Meeting warrant..”
Jan 27Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of…Motion: On an Odabashian/Martinis motion the Board voted 3 in favor with…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Altomonte
January 27, 2025: Approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Bellingham and the Bellingham Permanent Firefighters Association Local 2071, IAFF, AFL-CIO as presented
On an Odabashian/Martinis motion the Board voted 3 in favor with Mrs. Altomonte abstaining to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Bellingham and the Bellingham Permanent Firefighters Association Local 2071, IAFF, AFL-CIO as presented.
Yes: Martinis, Odabashian, SahinAbstained: Altomonte
From the minutes
“On an Odabashian/Martinis motion the Board voted 3 in favor with Mrs. Altomonte abstaining to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Bellingham and the Bellingham Permanent Firefighters Association Local 2071, IAFF, AFL-CIO as presented..” (Motion: Odabashian, second: Martinis)
Dec 9Appoint John Coderre as Bellingham's next Town AdministratorMotion: Mr. Martinis made a motion to appoint Mr. John Coderre as…Failed 2–3 · No: Altomonte, Hennessy, Sahin
December 9, 2024: Appoint John Coderre as Bellingham's next Town Administrator
Mr. Martinis made a motion to appoint Mr. John Coderre as Bellingham's next Town Administrator. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Odabashian. … The roll call vote was made as follows: Mrs. Altomonte nay Mr. Hennessy nay Mr. Sahin nay Mrs. Odabashian aye Mr. Martinis aye Mr. Coderre was not appointed
Yes: Martinis, OdabashianNo: Altomonte, Hennessy, Sahin
From the minutes
“Mr. Martinis made a motion to appoint Mr. John Coderre as Bellingham's next Town Administrator. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Odabashian. … The roll call vote was made as follows: Mrs. Altomonte nay Mr. Hennessy nay Mr. Sahin nay Mrs. Odabashian aye Mr. Martinis aye Mr. Coderre was not appointed.” (Motion: Martinis, second: Odabashian)
Nov 19Ask the Town Administrator Screening Committee to review and…Motion: On a Sahin/Altomonte motion the Board voted two in favor and…Failed 2–3 · see note
November 19, 2024: Ask the Town Administrator Screening Committee to review and interview additional candidates to be brought forward for the hiring process
On a Sahin/Altomonte motion the Board voted two in favor and three opposing to ask the Town Administrator Screening Committee to review and interview additional candidates to be brought forward for the hiring process.
The minutes give only the count (2-3), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“On a Sahin/Altomonte motion the Board voted two in favor and three opposing to ask the Town Administrator Screening Committee to review and interview additional candidates to be brought forward for the hiring process..” (Motion: Sahin, second: Altomonte)
Nov 19Enter into discussions with Mr. Coderre for the Town…Motion: On a Martinis/Odabashian motion the Board voted two in favor and…Failed 2–3 · see note
November 19, 2024: Enter into discussions with Mr. Coderre for the Town Administrator position after a thorough background check
On a Martinis/Odabashian motion the Board voted two in favor and three opposing to enter into discussions with Mr. Coderre for the Town Administrator position after a thorough background check.
The minutes give only the count (2-3), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“On a Martinis/Odabashian motion the Board voted two in favor and three opposing to enter into discussions with Mr. Coderre for the Town Administrator position after a thorough background check..” (Motion: Martinis, second: Odabashian)
Nov 19Do thorough background checks on both Mr. Coderre and…Motion: On a Martinis/Hennessy motion the Board voted four in favor and…Passed 4–1 · see note
November 19, 2024: Do thorough background checks on both Mr. Coderre and Mr. Powers with their approval and based on the outcome of those background checks the Board would be better prepared to…
On a Martinis/Hennessy motion the Board voted four in favor and one opposing to do thorough background checks on both Mr. Coderre and Mr. Powers with their approval and based on the outcome of those background checks the Board would be better prepared to make an offer.
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“On a Martinis/Hennessy motion the Board voted four in favor and one opposing to do thorough background checks on both Mr. Coderre and Mr. Powers with their approval and based on the outcome of those background checks the Board would be better prepared to make an offer..” (Motion: Martinis, second: Hennessy)
Jul 15Appoint Elizabeth "Liz" Berthelette as an Associate Member of…Motion: On a Martinis/Salisbury motion the Selectboard and Planning Board members were…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
July 15, 2024: Appoint Elizabeth "Liz" Berthelette as an Associate Member of the Planning Board (joint vote with the Planning Board)
On a Martinis/Salisbury motion the Selectboard and Planning Board members were polled and all voted unanimously in favor of appointing Elizabeth "Liz" Berthelette to the Planning Board as an Associate Member.
A joint vote of the Select Board and the Planning Board ("all voted unanimously in favor"). The motion was seconded by Mr. Salisbury of the Planning Board.
From the minutes
“On a Martinis/Salisbury motion the Selectboard and Planning Board members were polled and all voted unanimously in favor of appointing Elizabeth "Liz" Berthelette to the Planning Board as an Associate Member..” (Motion: Martinis)
From the Bellingham Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials.
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