MassVoter.com← Braintree Town CouncilBraintree Former Councilor
Thomas Whalen
District 2 Member · 1 term in this record
Thomas W. Whalen
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
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Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2018–2019 Council
On split votes, Whalen voted the same way as…
- Charles Kokoros100% (13 of 13)
- Charles Ryan92% (12 of 13)
- Thomas Bowes86% (12 of 14)
- Timothy Carey86% (12 of 14)
- Sean Powers86% (12 of 14)
- David Ringius86% (12 of 14)
- Shannon Hume83% (10 of 12)
- Stephen O'Brien8% (1 of 12)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2018–2019 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Whalen 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 34 of 40 Town Council meetings in 2018–2019 Council.
Missed
- Oct 1, 2019 · Regular: Absent
- Aug 13, 2019 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 16, 2018 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 18, 2018 · Regular: Absent
- Jul 9, 2018 · Regular: Absent
- Apr 30, 2018 · Regular: Absent
Every meeting (40)
- Dec 17, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Dec 3, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Nov 19, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Nov 6, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Oct 15, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Oct 1, 2019 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 18, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Sep 3, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Aug 13, 2019 · Regular: Absent
- Jul 16, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jun 18, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jun 4, 2019 · Regular: Present
- May 28, 2019 · Regular: Present
- May 14, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Apr 30, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Apr 23, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Apr 2, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Mar 19, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Mar 5, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 26, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 5, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 8, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Dec 4, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Nov 20, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Nov 7, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 16, 2018 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 18, 2018 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 5, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Aug 14, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jul 9, 2018 · Regular: Absent
- Jun 19, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jun 5, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 29, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 30, 2018 · Regular: Absent
- Apr 24, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Feb 27, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Feb 13, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Feb 6, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jan 16, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jan 2, 2018 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2018–2019 Council
Dec 17Approve Order 19 048: 19 048 Mayor: Request for…Motion: Motion: by Member Kokoros to Approve Order 19 048Passed 8–1 · Whalen: Yes
December 17, 2019: Approve Order 19 048: 19 048 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - Winfield Adams Playground Baseball Field Renovation Project
Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 048
Voted: Yes
Yes: Bowes, Carey, Hume, Kokoros, Powers, Ringius, Ryan, WhalenNo: O'Brien
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 048 Second: by Councilor Powers Vote: For (8 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, Kokoros, Powers, Ringius, Ryan, Whalen), Against (1 – O'Brien), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Kokoros, second: Powers)
Dec 3Approve Order 19 046 (2): 19 046 Mayor: Tax…Motion: Motion: by Member Kokoros to Approve Order 19 046 (2)Passed 7–0 · Whalen: Yes
December 3, 2019: Approve Order 19 046 (2): 19 046 Mayor: Tax Rate Classification
Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 046 (2)
Voted: Yes
Yes: Bowes, Carey, Hume, O'Brien, Powers, Ryan, WhalenAbstained: Kokoros
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 046 (2) Second: by Councilor Powers Vote: For (7 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, O'Brien, Powers, Ryan, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1 - Ringius), Abstain (1 - Kokoros).” (Motion: Kokoros, second: Powers)
Nov 6Approve Order 19 036: 19 036 Mayor: Re-Appointment -…Motion: Motion: by Member Kokoros to Approve Order 19 036Passed 8–1 · Whalen: Yes
November 6, 2019: Approve Order 19 036: 19 036 Mayor: Re-Appointment - Braintree Contributory Retirement Board, Edward J. Spellman, Jr
Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 036
Voted: Yes
Yes: Bowes, Carey, Hume, Kokoros, Powers, Ringius, Ryan, WhalenNo: O'Brien
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 036 Second: by Councilor Powers Vote: For (8 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, Kokoros, Powers, Ringius, Ryan, Whalen), Against (1 – O'Brien), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Kokoros, second: Powers)
Nov 6Approve Order 19 037: 19 037 Mayor: Appointment -…Motion: Motion: by Member Kokoros to Approve Order 19 037Passed 8–1 · Whalen: Yes
November 6, 2019: Approve Order 19 037: 19 037 Mayor: Appointment - Braintree Contributory Retirement Board, Joseph R. Driscoll, Jr
Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 037
Voted: Yes
Yes: Bowes, Carey, Hume, Kokoros, Powers, Ringius, Ryan, WhalenNo: O'Brien
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 037 Second: by Councilor Powers Vote: For (8 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, Kokoros, Powers, Ringius, Ryan, Whalen), Against (1 – O'Brien), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Kokoros, second: Powers)
Nov 6Approve Order 19 039: 19 039 Mayor: Appointment –…Motion: Motion: by Member Kokoros to Approve Order 19 039Passed 8–1 · Whalen: Yes
November 6, 2019: Approve Order 19 039: 19 039 Mayor: Appointment – Conservation Commission, Kimberly Kroha
Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 039
Voted: Yes
Yes: Bowes, Carey, Hume, Kokoros, Powers, Ringius, Ryan, WhalenNo: O'Brien
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 039 Second: by Councilor Powers Vote: For (8 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, Kokoros, Powers, Ringius, Ryan, Whalen), Against (1 – O'Brien), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Kokoros, second: Powers)
Oct 15Approve Order 19 033: 19 033 National Grid Petition:…Motion: Motion: by Member Kokoros to Approve Order 19 033Passed Unanimous, 8 present · Whalen: Yes
October 15, 2019: Approve Order 19 033: 19 033 National Grid Petition: Commercial Street
Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 033
Voted: Yes
The vote line lists David Ringius 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 Kokoros to Approve Order 19 033 Second: by Councilor Powers Vote: For (8 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, Kokoros, O'Brien, Powers, Ryan, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1 - Ringius), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Kokoros, second: Powers)
Oct 15Approve Order 19 034: 19 034 National Grid Petition:…Motion: Motion: by Member Kokoros to Approve Order 19 034Passed Unanimous, 8 present · Whalen: Yes
October 15, 2019: Approve Order 19 034: 19 034 National Grid Petition: Elm Street and Adams Street
Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 034
Voted: Yes
The vote line lists David Ringius 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 Kokoros to Approve Order 19 034 Second: by Councilor Powers Vote: For (8 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, Kokoros, O'Brien, Powers, Ryan, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1 - Ringius), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Kokoros, second: Powers)
Oct 1Approve Order 19 031: 19 031 Mayor: Stretch Energy…Motion: Motion: by Member Kokoros to Approve Order 19 031Passed 7–0 · Whalen: Not recorded
October 1, 2019: Approve Order 19 031: 19 031 Mayor: Stretch Energy Code General Ordinance Update
Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 031
The vote line lists Sean Powers and Thomas Whalen as voting, but the attendance line does not list them as present. Showing the count only. The minutes name Sean Powers as the seconder, but Sean Powers is not on the attendance line, so no seconder is shown.
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 031 Second: by Councilor Powers Vote: For (7 –Carey, Kokoros, O'Brien, Powers, Ringuius, Ryan, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (2 – Bowes, Hume), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Kokoros)
Oct 1Approve Order 19 035: 19 035 Town Clerk: Call…Motion: Motion: by Member Kokoros to Approve Order 19 035Passed 7–0 · Whalen: Not recorded
October 1, 2019: Approve Order 19 035: 19 035 Town Clerk: Call of the General Election - November 5, 2019
Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 035
The vote line lists Sean Powers and Thomas Whalen as voting, but the attendance line does not list them as present. Showing the count only. The minutes name Sean Powers as the seconder, but Sean Powers is not on the attendance line, so no seconder is shown.
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Kokoros to Approve Order 19 035 Second: by Councilor Powers Vote: For (7 –Carey, Kokoros, O'Brien, Powers, Ringuius, Ryan, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (2 – Bowes, Hume), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Kokoros)
Jul 16That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44B…Motion: MOTION: That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44B of…Passed Unanimous, 8 present · Whalen: Yes
July 16, 2019: That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44B of the General Laws and with the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee, a total amount of $17,500 be appropriated from…
MOTION: That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44B of the General Laws and with the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee, a total amount of $17,500 be appropriated from the Unreserved Fund for Braintree's local match for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program-Action Grant from the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, said funds are to be expended under the direction of the Community Preservation Committee and the Director of Planning and Community Development. Motion: by Councilor Kokoros
Voted: Yes
The vote line lists David Ringius as absent for this vote (this councilor was at the meeting but not in the room, or arrived later).
From the minutes
“MOTION: That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44B of the General Laws and with the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee, a total amount of $17,500 be appropriated from the Unreserved Fund for Braintree's local match for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program-Action Grant from the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, said funds are to be expended under the direction of the Community Preservation Committee and the Director of Planning and Community Development. Motion: by Councilor Kokoros Second: by Councilor Powers Vote: For (8 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, Kokoros, O'Brien, Powers, Ryan, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1 - Ringius), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Kokoros, second: Powers)
Votes with no disagreement (212)
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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