MassVoter.com← Bridgewater Town CouncilBridgewater Town Council · 2023–2024 Council · Regular meeting
September 5, 2023
18 recorded votes, 7 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
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Present: Fred Chase, Dr. Kevin Perry, Dr. Paul Murphy, Erik Moore, Mark Linde, Shawn George, Bradford McKinnon, Dennis Gallagher
Absent: Susan Robinson
Every vote, in order
Approve the August 8, 2023 meeting minutes
To approve the August 8, 2023 meeting minutes
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to approve the August 8, 2023 meeting minutes, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0-0.” (Motion: George)
Approve the appointment of Gloria Lemieux to the Disability Commission
To approve the appointment of Gloria Lemieux to the Disability Commission
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to approve the appointment of Gloria Lemieux to the Disability Commission, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0-0.” (Motion: George)
Approve the appointment of Shair Sprong to the Elder Affairs Commission
To approve the appointment of Shair Sprong to the Elder Affairs Commission
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to approve the appointment of Shair Sprong to the Elder Affairs Commission, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0-0.” (Motion: George)
D-FY22-003 Accept the amended changes for Ordinance D-FY22-003
To accept the amended changes for Ordinance D-FY22-003
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to accept the amended changes for Ordinance D-FY22-003, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0-0.” (Motion: George)
D-FY22-003 Send Ordinance D-FY22-003 to Advertising
To send Ordinance D-FY22-003 to Advertising
From the minutes
“Councilor McKinnon made a motion to send Ordinance D-FY22-003 to Advertising, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0-0.” (Motion: McKinnon)
D-FY22-007 Remove “as a result of reprecincting or appointment” from (b) paragraph (4)
To remove “as a result of reprecincting or appointment” from (b) paragraph (4)
Yes: Chase, Gallagher, George, McKinnon, Moore, Murphy, PerryNo: LindeAbsent: Robinson
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to remove “as a result of reprecincting or appointment” from (b) paragraph (4), which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - No; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 7-1-0.” (Motion: George)
D-FY22-007 Accept the amended changes for Ordinance D-FY22-007
To accept the amended changes for Ordinance D-FY22-007
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to accept the amended changes for Ordinance D-FY22-007, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0-0.” (Motion: George)
D-FY22-007 Send Ordinance D-FY22-007 to Advertising
To send Ordinance D-FY22-007 to Advertising
From the minutes
“Councilor McKinnon made a motion to send Ordinance D-FY22-007 to Advertising, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0-0.” (Motion: McKinnon)
D-FY22-008 Amend Ordinance D-FY22-008 by adding after receive in 1. “an annual stipend of $5,000 for a Town Councilor and $7,500 for the Council President for their services, and from time to time be adjusted by
To amend Ordinance D-FY22-008 by adding after receive in 1. “an annual stipend of $5,000 for a Town Councilor and $7,500 for the Council President for their services, and from time to time be adjusted by Ordinance”
Yes: Chase, Gallagher, Linde, McKinnon, MooreNo: George, Murphy, PerryAbsent: Robinson
From the minutes
“Councilor Gallagher made a motion to amend Ordinance D-FY22-008 by adding after receive in 1. “an annual stipend of $5,000 for a Town Councilor and $7,500 for the Council President for their services, and from time to time be adjusted by Ordinance”. This was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - No; Linde - Yea; George - No; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - No; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 5-3-0.” (Motion: Gallagher)
D-FY22-008 Refer Ordinance D-FY22-008 back to Rules and Procedures
To refer Ordinance D-FY22-008 back to Rules and Procedures
Yes: Chase, Gallagher, Linde, McKinnon, Moore, Murphy, PerryNo: GeorgeAbsent: Robinson
From the minutes
“Councilor Perry made a motion to refer Ordinance D-FY22-008 back to Rules and Procedures. This was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - No; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 7-1-0.” (Motion: Perry)
D-FY22-009 Strike the word “city” throughout proposed Ordinance D-FY22-009 and substitute with “town'
To strike the word “city” throughout proposed Ordinance D-FY22-009 and substitute with “town'
From the minutes
“Councilor Chase made a motion to strike the word “city” throughout proposed Ordinance D-FY22-009 and substitute with “town'. This was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0-0.” (Motion: Chase)
D-FY22-009 Strike the word “grounds” as it appears in line 4 of paragraph (b) and substitute with the order “offenses”
To strike the word “grounds” as it appears in line 4 of paragraph (b) and substitute with the order “offenses”
From the minutes
“Councilor Chase made a motion to strike the word “grounds” as it appears in line 4 of paragraph (b) and substitute with the order “offenses”. This was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0-0.” (Motion: Chase)
Insert the following proposed text to immediately follow the first sentence of paragraph (b): An allegation of offenses which shall constitute a basis for recall of an elected official under this sect
To insert the following proposed text to immediately follow the first sentence of paragraph (b): An allegation of offenses which shall constitute a basis for recall of an elected official under this section shall include, but not be limited to, the following transgressions: (1) conviction of a felony or conviction of the following misdemeanors as defined by Massachusetts General Laws: domestic violence, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the illegal manufacture, distribution or dispensing of controlled substances, assault or criminal harassment, while presently in office; or (2) admission of facts, while presently in office, sufficient to be convicted of a felony or sufficient to be convicted of the following misdemeanors as defined in Massachusetts General Laws: domestic violence, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the illegal manufacture, distribution or dis
Yes: Chase, Linde, McKinnon, Moore, Murphy, PerryNo: Gallagher, GeorgeAbsent: Robinson
From the minutes
“Council Chase made a motion to insert the following proposed text to immediately follow the first sentence of paragraph (b): An allegation of offenses which shall constitute a basis for recall of an elected official under this section shall include, but not be limited to, the following transgressions: (1) conviction of a felony or conviction of the following misdemeanors as defined by Massachusetts General Laws: domestic violence, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the illegal manufacture, distribution or dispensing of controlled substances, assault or criminal harassment, while presently in office; or (2) admission of facts, while presently in office, sufficient to be convicted of a felony or sufficient to be convicted of the following misdemeanors as defined in Massachusetts General Laws: domestic violence, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the illegal manufacture, distribution or dispensing of controlled substances, assault or criminal harassment; or (3) violation of the conflict of interest law (M.G.L. c. 268A) while presently in office, as determined by the State Ethics Commission or the Attorney General; (4) attendance at less than fifty (50%) of the posted public meetings of the board or office of which the official was an elected member or to which he/she has been elected or appointed as part of his/her elected position during the previous twelve (12) months; (5) lack of fitness, insobriety while performing official functions, involuntary commitment of a mental health facility, being placed under guardianship or conservatorship by a probate court; or (6) corruption, conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude, conviction o bribery, or extortion or (7) violation of law, regulation, bylaw or other abdication of the applicable requirements of the elected position. The elected official's vote on a matter (other than in connection with a conflict of interest violation reference above) shall not be grounds for a recall petition. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - No; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - No; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 6-2-0.” (Motion: Chase)
D-FY22-009 Refer Ordinance D-FY22-009 back to Rules and Procedures
To refer Ordinance D-FY22-009 back to Rules and Procedures
From the minutes
“Councilor Perry made a motion to refer Ordinance D-FY22-009 back to Rules and Procedures. This was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0-0.” (Motion: Perry)
D-FY22-010 Approve the amendments to Ordinance D-FY22-010
To approve the amendments to Ordinance D-FY22-010
Yes: Chase, George, Murphy, PerryNo: Gallagher, Linde, McKinnon, MooreAbsent: Robinson
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to approve the amendments to Ordinance D-FY22-010, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - No; George - Yea; Moore - No; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - No; McKinnon -No; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion failed: 4-4-0.” (Motion: George)
D-FY22-010 Table Ordinance D-FY22-010
To table Ordinance D-FY22-010
Yes: Chase, Gallagher, Linde, McKinnon, Moore, Murphy, PerryNo: GeorgeAbsent: Robinson
From the minutes
“Councilor Gallagher made a motion to table Ordinance D-FY22-010, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - No; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 7-1-0.” (Motion: Gallagher)
D-FY24-001 Refer Ordinance D-FY24-001 to Rules and Procedures but it failed for lack of a second. Councilor McKinnon made a motion to table Ordinance D-FY24-001
To refer Ordinance D-FY24-001 to Rules and Procedures but it failed for lack of a second. Councilor McKinnon made a motion to table Ordinance D-FY24-001
The minutes record the result as 7–1, but the list of names does not match that count, so individual votes are not shown.
From the minutes
“Councilor Perry made a motion to refer Ordinance D-FY24-001 to Rules and Procedures but it failed for lack of a second. Councilor McKinnon made a motion to table Ordinance D-FY24-001, which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - No; Linde - Yea; George - No; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 7-1-0.” (Motion: Perry)
D-FY24-001 Adjourn (D-FY24-001)
To adjourn
From the minutes
“Councilor George made a motion to adjourn which was duly seconded. results recorded as follows: Perry - Yea; Linde - Yea; George - Yea; Moore - Yea; Chase - Yea; Gallagher - Yea; McKinnon -Yea; Murphy - Yea; Robinson - Absent. Motion passed 8-0-0.” (Motion: George)
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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