MassVoter.com← BridgewaterMunicipal votes · 2026–2027 Council
Bridgewater Town Council
How the Bridgewater Town Council voted, from the Town Council’s official minutes. 9 members. Michaela Spagone and Timothy Trocchio first appear in June 2026; Dr. Paul Murphy presides. Covers 6 meetings so far, June 2 to August 18, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Town Council do? It is the town’s lawmaking body (this town has no Town Meeting). It passes local laws (bylaws or ordinances), votes on the yearly budget, and approves borrowing and zoning changes.
The council hires the town manager or administrator, who runs the town day to day and proposes the budget.
Sources: Mass. General Laws c. 44 § 32 (city budgets)Your Bridgewater ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Vote Transparency Score
Bridgewater Town Council: 7.5 out of 10 · Mostly open
How easy Bridgewater makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the town’s records, not any official. Checked October 3, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for most, but not all, meetings in the past year.Part points: 1/2
- Each vote namedVotes are roll calls that say how each councilor voted.Full points: 3/3
- Posted quicklyMinutes usually go up within about one to two months.Part points: 1/2
- Past years onlineTown Council minutes from 2020 to today are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textThe minutes are text you can search and copy.Full points: 1/1
- Member photosThe Town Council page shows photos of some councilors, not all.Part points: 0.5/1
How the town can raise its score
- Minutes posted (+1): Post approved minutes for every meeting on the town website. Don’t require a sign-in to view them.
- Posted quickly (+1): Post minutes within 30 days. If approval takes longer, post a draft marked “Draft – not yet approved” and replace it later.
- Member photos (+0.5): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the town made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Board years
Coming up
- Tue, Oct 20Town Council →
From the agendas Bridgewater posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
Members
Adelene EllenbergTown Member · Town Council · at 6 of 6 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Marilee HuntTown Member · Town Council · at 6 of 6 meetings
Sean KennedyTown Member · Town Council · at 6 of 6 meetings
Mark LindeTown Member · Town Council · at 6 of 6 meetings
Mary McGrathTown Member · Town Council · at 6 of 6 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Dr. Kevin PerryTown Member · Town Council · at 6 of 6 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Michaela SpagoneTown Member · Town Council · at 6 of 6 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Timothy TrocchioTown Member · Town Council · at 6 of 6 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.
Attendance
15 full-board meetings so far this year, through August 18. Ties share a rank.
1Marilee Hunt15 of 15 meetings Every meeting100%1Dr. Kevin Perry15 of 15 meetings Every meeting100%1Johnny Loreti9 of 9 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%1Michaela Spagone6 of 6 meetings · served from Jun Every meeting100%1Timothy Trocchio6 of 6 meetings · served from Jun Every meeting100%6Adelene Ellenberg14 of 15 meetings93%6Mark Linde14 of 15 meetings93%6Mary McGrath14 of 15 meetings93%6Dr. Paul Murphy14 of 15 meetings93%10Sean Kennedy13 of 15 meetings87%11Sonya Striggles0 of 2 meetings · served until Jan0%23 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Adelene Ellenberg23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Mark Linde23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Johnny Loreti23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Mary McGrath23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Dr. Paul Murphy23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Sonya Striggles23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Fred Chase7 of 7 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%8Marilee Hunt15 of 16 meetings · served from May94%8Sean Kennedy15 of 16 meetings · served from May94%10Dr. Kevin Perry21 of 23 meetings91%11Bradford McKinnon1 of 7 meetings · served until Apr14%23 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Fred Chase23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Mark Linde23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Dr. Paul Murphy23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Dr. Kevin Perry23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Susan Robinson20 of 20 meetings · served until Oct Every meeting100%1Adelene Ellenberg16 of 16 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Mary McGrath16 of 16 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Sonya Striggles16 of 16 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Dennis Gallagher7 of 7 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%1Shawn George7 of 7 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%11Bradford McKinnon20 of 23 meetings87%12Erik Moore6 of 7 meetings · served until Apr86%20 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Shawn George20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Mark Linde20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Dr. Kevin Perry20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Dr. Paul Murphy13 of 13 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%5Fred Chase19 of 20 meetings95%6Dennis Gallagher18 of 20 meetings90%6Bradford McKinnon18 of 20 meetings90%6Erik Moore18 of 20 meetings90%9William (Bill) Wood6 of 7 meetings · served until Apr86%10Susan Robinson14 of 20 meetings70%23 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1Fred Chase23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Dennis Gallagher23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Francis Sousa23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%1Peter Colombotos19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Timothy Fitzgibbons8 of 8 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%1Aisha Losche8 of 8 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%7Shawn George22 of 23 meetings96%7William (Bill) Wood22 of 23 meetings96%9Erik Moore14 of 15 meetings · served from May93%10Matthew Rushton21 of 23 meetings91%11Dr. Kevin Perry13 of 15 meetings · served from May87%22 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1Fred Chase22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%1Peter Colombotos22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%1Timothy Fitzgibbons22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%1Dennis Gallagher22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%1Shawn George22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%1Aisha Losche22 of 22 meetings Every meeting100%1William (Bill) Wood11 of 11 meetings · served from Jul Every meeting100%1Mark Linde9 of 9 meetings · served from Feb · served until Jun Every meeting100%9Matthew Rushton20 of 22 meetings91%9Francis Sousa20 of 22 meetings91%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent. Not shown: 2022, because too many of that year’s meetings are missing from the posted minutes.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Not here yet: we have loaded the Town Council’s minutes from January 2020 on. The town has not posted minutes for March 15 to July 2022. Five meetings from early 2022 are scanned documents; we read them with text recognition. Almost every vote is recorded by name. Some votes in 2020 were recorded only as a count and are not listed. Where the names in the minutes do not match the recorded count, we show only the count and note it. 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.
Jun 30Amend Order O-FY26-080 by replacing “a building permit” with…Motion: to amend Order O-FY26-080 by replacing “a building permit” with “any…Passed 5–4 · No: Ellenberg, Linde, McGrath, Trocchio
June 30, 2026 (Special meeting) · Item O-FY26-080: Amend Order O-FY26-080 by replacing “a building permit” with “any approved project” under 1. on the 2nd to last paragraph and to add “Approved Project Definition: any project that has…
To amend Order O-FY26-080 by replacing “a building permit” with “any approved project” under 1. on the 2nd to last paragraph and to add “Approved Project Definition: any project that has site plan approval, survey approval, a building permit, comprehensive permit or approved subdivision.” after 1
Yes: Hunt, Kennedy, Murphy, Perry, SpagoneNo: Ellenberg, Linde, McGrath, Trocchio
From the minutes
“Councilor Kennedy made a motion to amend Order O-FY26-080 by replacing “a building permit” with “any approved project” under 1. on the 2nd to last paragraph and to add “Approved Project Definition: any project that has site plan approval, survey approval, a building permit, comprehensive permit or approved subdivision.” after 1. This was duly seconded by Councilor Spagone. results are as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - No; McGrath - No; Spagone - Yea; Perry - Yea; Murphy - Yea; Hunt - Yea; Linde - No; Trocchio - No. Motion passed 5-4.” (Motion: Kennedy, second: Spagone)
Jun 16Suspend the rules and extend the meeting to 10:30pmMotion: to suspend the rules and extend the meeting to 10:30pmPassed 7–2 · No: Linde, Murphy
June 16, 2026: Suspend the rules and extend the meeting to 10:30pm
To suspend the rules and extend the meeting to 10:30pm
Yes: Ellenberg, Hunt, Kennedy, McGrath, Perry, Spagone, TrocchioNo: Linde, Murphy
From the minutes
“Councilor Kennedy made a motion to suspend the rules and extend the meeting to 10:30pm. This was seconded by Councilor Spagone. A voice vote was taken with the results as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - Yea; McGrath - Yea; Spagone - Yea; Perry - Yea; Murphy - No; Hunt - Yea; Linde - No; Trocchio - Yea. Motion passed 7-2.” (Motion: Kennedy, second: Spagone)
Jun 16Extend the meeting to 11:00pm (R-FY26-017)Motion: to extend the meeting to 11:00pmPassed 8–1 · No: Kennedy
June 16, 2026 · Item R-FY26-017: Extend the meeting to 11:00pm (R-FY26-017)
To extend the meeting to 11:00pm
Yes: Ellenberg, Hunt, Linde, McGrath, Murphy, Perry, Spagone, TrocchioNo: Kennedy
From the minutes
“Councilor Perry made a motion to extend the meeting to 11:00pm. This was duly seconded by Councilor Kennedy. A voice vote was taken with the results as follows: Kennedy - No; Ellenberg - Yea; McGrath - Yea; Spagone - Yea; Perry - Yea; Murphy - Yea; Hunt - Yea; Linde - Yea; Trocchio - Yea. Motion passed 8-1.” (Motion: Perry, second: Kennedy)
Jun 2Approve the re-appointment of Marilyn MacDonald to the Conservation…Motion: to approve the re-appointment of Marilyn MacDonald to the Conservation CommitteePassed 7–2 · No: Ellenberg, Trocchio
June 2, 2026: Approve the re-appointment of Marilyn MacDonald to the Conservation Committee
To approve the re-appointment of Marilyn MacDonald to the Conservation Committee
Yes: Hunt, Kennedy, Linde, McGrath, Murphy, Perry, SpagoneNo: Ellenberg, Trocchio
From the minutes
“Councilor Hunt made a motion to approve the re-appointment of Marilyn MacDonald to the Conservation Committee, which was duly seconded by Councilor Spagone. A voice vote was taken with the results as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - No; McGrath - Yea; Spagone - Yea; Perry - Yea; Murphy - Yea; Hunt - Yea; Linde - Yea; Trocchio - No. Motion passed 7-2.” (Motion: Hunt, second: Spagone)
Jun 2Approve Order O-FY26-067Motion: to approve Order O-FY26-067Passed 8–1 · No: Spagone
June 2, 2026 · Item O-FY26-067: Approve Order O-FY26-067
To approve Order O-FY26-067
Yes: Ellenberg, Hunt, Kennedy, Linde, McGrath, Murphy, Perry, TrocchioNo: Spagone
From the minutes
“Councilor Perry made a motion to approve Order O-FY26-067, which was duly seconded by Councilor Kennedy. A voice vote was taken with the results as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - Yea; McGrath - Yea; Spagone - No; Perry - Yea; Murphy - Yea; Hunt - Yea; Linde - Yea; Trocchio - Yea. Motion passed 8-1.” (Motion: Perry, second: Kennedy)
Jun 2Approve Order O-FY26-068Motion: to approve Order O-FY26-068Passed 8–1 · No: Spagone
June 2, 2026 · Item O-FY26-068: Approve Order O-FY26-068
To approve Order O-FY26-068
Yes: Ellenberg, Hunt, Kennedy, Linde, McGrath, Murphy, Perry, TrocchioNo: Spagone
From the minutes
“Councilor Perry made a motion to approve Order O-FY26-068, which was duly seconded by Councilor Kennedy. A voice vote was taken with the results as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - Yea; McGrath - Yea; Spagone - No; Perry - Yea; Murphy - Yea; Hunt - Yea; Linde - Yea; Trocchio - Yea. Motion passed 8-1.” (Motion: Perry, second: Kennedy)
From the Bridgewater Town Council’s official minutes, posted on the town’s CivicClerk portal. We check every roll call against the recorded count and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Member photos: Town of Bridgewater Town Council page (bridgewaterma.gov); Paul Murphy from his MIT staff page. Mark Linde from a BTV (Bridgewater access TV) “Candidate’s Corner” video. Mary McGrath and Michaela Spagone from the Town of Bridgewater video of the September 15, 2026 Town Council meeting (identified by the nameplate in front of each member).
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