MassVoter.com← Braintree Town CouncilBraintree Former Councilor
Stephen O'Brien
District 4 Member · 3 terms in this record
Stephen C. O'Brien
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Your Braintree ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2022–2023 Council
On split votes, O'Brien voted the same way as…
- Lawrence Mackin40% (6 of 15)
- David Ringius26% (5 of 19)
- Meredith Boericke24% (5 of 21)
- Julia Flaherty19% (4 of 21)
- Joseph Reynolds19% (4 of 21)
- Charles Ryan19% (4 of 21)
- Shannon Hume16% (3 of 19)
- Elizabeth Maglio14% (3 of 21)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2022–2023 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list O'Brien 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 38 of 44 Town Council meetings in 2022–2023 Council.
Missed
- Oct 17, 2023 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 19, 2023 · Regular: Absent
- Jul 18, 2023 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 7, 2022 · Regular: Absent
- May 31, 2022 · Regular: Absent
- Apr 26, 2022 · Regular: Absent
Every meeting (44)
- Dec 19, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Dec 5, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Nov 21, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Nov 8, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Oct 17, 2023 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 3, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Sep 19, 2023 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 5, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Aug 22, 2023 · Special: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Aug 1, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Jul 18, 2023 · Regular: Absent
- Jun 20, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Jun 6, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- May 30, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien arrived after the meeting began (arrived).)
- May 2, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Apr 25, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Apr 4, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Mar 21, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Mar 7, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Feb 28, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Feb 7, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Jan 17, 2023 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Jan 3, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Dec 20, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Dec 6, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Nov 15, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Oct 18, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Oct 3, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Sep 20, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Sep 7, 2022 · Regular: Absent
- Aug 2, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Jul 12, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Jun 21, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Jun 7, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- May 31, 2022 · Regular: Absent
- May 17, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien arrived after the meeting began (arrived).)
- Apr 26, 2022 · Regular: Absent
- Apr 5, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Mar 15, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Mar 1, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Feb 15, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Feb 1, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Jan 18, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
- Jan 3, 2022 · Regular: Present (Stephen O'Brien took part remotely.)
Votes where members disagreed · 2022–2023 Council
Dec 19Approve Order 23 076 (1): GIS shapefile for the…Motion: Motion: by Member Ryan to approve Order 23 076 (1)Passed 6–2 · O'Brien: No
December 19, 2023: Approve Order 23 076 (1): GIS shapefile for the multi-family zoning district. (Tech. Assistance Partners) 4. Submit to EOHLC by 12/31 Director...
Motion: by Councilor Ryan to approve Order 23 076 (1)
Voted: No
Yes: Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds, Ringius, RyanNo: Mackin, O'Brien
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ryan to approve Order 23 076 (1) Second: by Councilor Ringius Vote: For (6 – Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds, Ryan, Ringius), Against (2 - Mackin, O'Brien), Absent (1 - Hume), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ryan, second: Ringius)
Dec 19Approve Order 23 076 (2): GIS shapefile for the…Motion: Motion: by Member Ryan to approve Order 23 076 (2)Passed 6–2 · O'Brien: No
December 19, 2023: Approve Order 23 076 (2): GIS shapefile for the multi-family zoning district. (Tech. Assistance Partners) 4. Submit to EOHLC by 12/31 Director...
Motion: by Councilor Ryan to approve Order 23 076 (2)
Voted: No
Yes: Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds, Ringius, RyanNo: Mackin, O'Brien
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ryan to approve Order 23 076 (2) Second: by Councilor Ringius Vote: For (6 – Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds, Ryan, Ringius), Against (2 - Mackin, O'Brien), Absent (1 - Hume), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ryan, second: Ringius)
Dec 19Approve Order 23 081: 23 081 Mayor: Request for…Motion: Motion: by Member Ryan to approve Order 23 081Passed Unanimous, 7 present · O'Brien: Yes
December 19, 2023: Approve Order 23 081: 23 081 Mayor: Request for Authorization – Braintree Police Axon Contract
Motion: by Councilor Ryan to approve Order 23 081
Voted: Yes
The vote line lists Lawrence Mackin as absent for this vote (this councilor was at the meeting but not in the room, or arrived later).
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ryan to approve Order 23 081 Second: by Councilor Ringius Vote: For (7 – Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, O'Brien, Reynolds, Ryan, Ringius), Against (0), Absent (2 – Hume, Mackin), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ryan, second: Ringius)
Dec 19Approve Order 23 082: 23 082 Mayor: Transfer Funds…Motion: Motion: by Member Hume to approve Order 23 082Passed Unanimous, 7 present · O'Brien: Yes
December 19, 2023: Approve Order 23 082: 23 082 Mayor: Transfer Funds from the Human Resources Salary Reserve
Motion: by Councilor Hume to approve Order 23 082
Voted: Yes
The vote line lists Lawrence Mackin as absent for this vote (this councilor was at the meeting but not in the room, or arrived later). The minutes name Shannon Hume as the mover, but Shannon Hume is not on the attendance line, so no mover is shown.
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Hume to approve Order 23 082 Second: by Councilor Ringius Vote: For (7 – Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, O'Brien, Reynolds, Ryan, Ringius), Against (0), Absent (2 – Hume, Mackin), Abstain (0).” (second: Ringius)
Dec 19Approve Order 23 083: 23 083 Mayor: To Accept…Motion: Motion: by Member Ryan to approve Order 23 083Passed 7–0 · O'Brien: Not recorded
December 19, 2023: Approve Order 23 083: 23 083 Mayor: To Accept Massachusetts General Law c. 59 s.5C ½ (additional real estate exemption)
Motion: by Councilor Ryan to approve Order 23 083
The vote line lists Shannon Hume as voting, but the attendance line does not list this councilor as present. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ryan to approve Order 23 083 Second: by Councilor Ringius Vote: For (7 – Boericke, Hume, Mackin, Maglio, O'Brien, Reynolds, Ringius), Against (0), Absent (2 - Flaherty, Ryan), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ryan, second: Ringius)
Dec 5Approve Order 23 077 (1): 23 077 Mayor: Tax…Motion: Motion: by Member Hume to approve Order 23 077 (1)Passed Unanimous, 6 present · O'Brien: Yes
December 5, 2023: Approve Order 23 077 (1): 23 077 Mayor: Tax Rate Classification
Motion: by Councilor Hume to approve Order 23 077 (1)
Voted: Yes
The vote line lists Lawrence Mackin as absent for this vote (this councilor was at the meeting but not in the room, or arrived later).
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Hume to approve Order 23 077 (1) Second: by Councilor Ringius Vote: For (6 – Boericke, Hume, Maglio, O'Brien, Reynolds, Ringius), Against (0), Absent (3 - Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Hume, second: Ringius)
Dec 5Approve Order 23 077 (2): 23 077 Mayor: Tax…Motion: Motion: by Member Hume to approve Order 23 077 (2)Passed Unanimous, 6 present · O'Brien: Yes
December 5, 2023: Approve Order 23 077 (2): 23 077 Mayor: Tax Rate Classification
Motion: by Councilor Hume to approve Order 23 077 (2)
Voted: Yes
The vote line lists Lawrence Mackin as absent for this vote (this councilor was at the meeting but not in the room, or arrived later).
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Hume to approve Order 23 077 (2) Second: by Councilor Ringius Vote: For (6 – Boericke, Hume, Maglio, O'Brien, Reynolds, Ringius), Against (0), Absent (3 - Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Hume, second: Ringius)
Dec 5Approve Order 23 077 (3): 23 077 Mayor: Tax…Motion: Motion: by Member Hume to approve Order 23 077 (3)Passed Unanimous, 6 present · O'Brien: Yes
December 5, 2023: Approve Order 23 077 (3): 23 077 Mayor: Tax Rate Classification
Motion: by Councilor Hume to approve Order 23 077 (3)
Voted: Yes
The vote line lists Lawrence Mackin as absent for this vote (this councilor was at the meeting but not in the room, or arrived later).
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Hume to approve Order 23 077 (3) Second: by Councilor Ringius Vote: For (6 – Boericke, Hume, Maglio, O'Brien, Reynolds, Ringius), Against (0), Absent (3 - Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Hume, second: Ringius)
Dec 5Approve Order 23 077 (4): 23 077 Mayor: Tax…Motion: Motion: by Member Hume to approve Order 23 077 (4)Passed Unanimous, 6 present · O'Brien: Yes
December 5, 2023: Approve Order 23 077 (4): 23 077 Mayor: Tax Rate Classification
Motion: by Councilor Hume to approve Order 23 077 (4)
Voted: Yes
The vote line lists Lawrence Mackin as absent for this vote (this councilor was at the meeting but not in the room, or arrived later).
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Hume to approve Order 23 077 (4) Second: by Councilor Ringius Vote: For (6 – Boericke, Hume, Maglio, O'Brien, Reynolds, Ringius), Against (0), Absent (3 - Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Hume, second: Ringius)
Dec 5Accept item 066 23Motion: Motion: by Member Hume to accept item 066 23Passed Unanimous, 6 present · O'Brien: Yes
December 5, 2023: Accept item 066 23
Motion: by Councilor Hume to accept item 066 23
Voted: Yes
The vote line lists Lawrence Mackin as absent for this vote (this councilor was at the meeting but not in the room, or arrived later).
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Hume to accept item 066 23 Second: by Councilor Ringius Vote: For (6 – Boericke, Hume, Maglio, O'Brien, Reynolds, Ringius), Against (0), Absent (3 - Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Hume, second: Ringius)
Votes with no disagreement (185)
From the Braintree Town Council’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (the newest minutes, October 2025 through June 2026, are approved copies sent to MassVoter by the Clerk of the Council). We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Braintree (Town Council page).
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