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Bridgewater Town Member
Mary McGrath
Town Council · 3 terms in this record
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Your Bridgewater ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2025–2026 Council
On split votes, McGrath voted the same way as…
- Sonya Striggles90% (28 of 31)
- Dr. Kevin Perry90% (26 of 29)
- Dr. Paul Murphy78% (28 of 36)
- Johnny Loreti72% (26 of 36)
- Marilee Hunt66% (21 of 32)
- Adelene Ellenberg61% (22 of 36)
- Mark Linde58% (21 of 36)
- Sean Kennedy56% (18 of 32)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2025–2026 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list McGrath 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.
In the news
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Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Attendance
At the start of 24 of 25 Town Council meetings in 2025–2026 Council.
Missed
- Mar 17, 2026 · Regular: Absent
Every meeting (25)
- Apr 7, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 26, 2026 · Special: Present
- Mar 17, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Mar 10, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Mar 3, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Feb 17, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Feb 3, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jan 20, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jan 6, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Dec 16, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Dec 2, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Nov 18, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Nov 4, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Oct 21, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Oct 7, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Sep 16, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Sep 2, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Aug 12, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Aug 5, 2025 · Special: Present
- Jul 15, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jun 30, 2025 · Special: Present
- Jun 17, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jun 3, 2025 · Regular: Present
- May 20, 2025 · Regular: Present
- May 6, 2025 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2025–2026 Council
Apr 7Approve the 24/7 request for Smit Bev dba Tropical…Motion: to approve the 24/7 request for Smit Bev dba Tropical SmoothieFailed 3–5 · McGrath: No
April 7, 2026 · Item P-2026-021: Approve the 24/7 request for Smit Bev dba Tropical Smoothie
To approve the 24/7 request for Smit Bev dba Tropical Smoothie
Voted: No
Yes: Ellenberg, Kennedy, LindeNo: Hunt, Loreti, McGrath, Murphy, Perry
From the minutes
“Councilor Kennedy made a motion to approve the 24/7 request for Smit Bev dba Tropical Smoothie, which was duly seconded by Councilor Ellenberg. results as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - Yea; McGrath - No; Loreti - No; Perry - No; Murphy - No; Hunt - No; Linde - Yes. Motion fails 3-5.” (Motion: Kennedy, second: Ellenberg)
Apr 7Extend the meeting past 10pmMotion: to extend the meeting past 10pmPassed 7–1 · McGrath: Yes
April 7, 2026: Extend the meeting past 10pm
To extend the meeting past 10pm
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ellenberg, Hunt, Kennedy, Linde, Loreti, McGrath, PerryNo: Murphy
From the minutes
“Councilor Linde made a motion to extend the meeting past 10pm, which was duly seconded by Councilor Perry. results as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - Yea; McGrath - Yea; Loreti - Yea; Perry - Yea; Murphy - No; Hunt - Yea; Linde - Yes. Motion passes: 7-1.” (Motion: Linde, second: Perry)
Mar 17Approve Order O-FY26-053 and send the question to the…Motion: to approve Order O-FY26-053 and send the question to the votersPassed 6–1 · McGrath: Absent
March 17, 2026 · Item O-FY26-053: Approve Order O-FY26-053 and send the question to the voters
To approve Order O-FY26-053 and send the question to the voters
Voted: Absent
Yes: Ellenberg, Hunt, Kennedy, Linde, Loreti, PerryNo: MurphyAbsent: McGrath
From the minutes
“Councilor Perry made a motion to approve Order O-FY26-053 and send the question to the voters. This was duly seconded by Councilor Linde. A voice vote was taken with the results as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - Yea; McGrath - Absent; Loreti - Yea; Perry - Yea; Murphy - No; Hunt - Yea; Linde - Yea. Motion passed 6-1.” (Motion: Perry, second: Linde)
Mar 10Approve Order O-FY26-034Motion: to approve Order O-FY26-034Passed 8–0 · McGrath: Not recorded
March 10, 2026 · Item O-FY26-034: Approve Order O-FY26-034
To approve Order O-FY26-034
The minutes record the result as 8–0, 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 approve Order O-FY26-034, which was duly seconded by Councilor Hunt. results as follows: Kennedy - Yea: Ellenberg - Yea; McGrath - Yea (via Zoom); Loreti - Yea: Perry - Yea; Murphy - Yea; Hunt - Yea; Linde - Yea. Motion passed 8-0.” (Motion: Perry, second: Hunt)
Feb 17Amend Ordinance D-FY26-007 by removing Section 3 all together.…Motion: to amend Ordinance D-FY26-007 by removing Section 3 all together. This…Passed 7–1 · McGrath: Not recorded
February 17, 2026 · Item D-FY26-007: Amend Ordinance D-FY26-007 by removing Section 3 all together. This failed for a lack of a second. Council Linde notes that the Rules & Procedures Committee should be discussing that,…
To amend Ordinance D-FY26-007 by removing Section 3 all together. This failed for a lack of a second. Council Linde notes that the Rules & Procedures Committee should be discussing that, should not be wordsmithing at the meeting. Councilor Loreti noted that he was not going to vote to approve this when there is vague language. Councilor Murphy noted that they followed the process outlined up until Section 6 which would trigger a special election which would require a special election. Councilor Loreti noted that his concern was the we do not even get to section 6 unless we vote yes. Councilor Kennedy noted that there is no changes in the Charter from this, has the same vague language. You could add the 90 day requirement in there as well. Councilor Perry noted that the Charter gets into specifics about the seat involved. The line is saying if the seat is not voted it will remain vacant u
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 Loreti made a motion to amend Ordinance D-FY26-007 by removing Section 3 all together. This failed for a lack of a second. Council Linde notes that the Rules & Procedures Committee should be discussing that, should not be wordsmithing at the meeting. Councilor Loreti noted that he was not going to vote to approve this when there is vague language. Councilor Murphy noted that they followed the process outlined up until Section 6 which would trigger a special election which would require a special election. Councilor Loreti noted that his concern was the we do not even get to section 6 unless we vote yes. Councilor Kennedy noted that there is no changes in the Charter from this, has the same vague language. You could add the 90 day requirement in there as well. Councilor Perry noted that the Charter gets into specifics about the seat involved. The line is saying if the seat is not voted it will remain vacant until the next election if the next election is close or a special election. Leaving a little bit of room for the Council to make that call gives the council the ability to make that call. But goes back to the vote if the council wants to fill the seat or not. Councilor Loreti asked if Section 6 #2, is this a majority of those present or the full council and Councilor Perry noted as long as there is a quorum of the council. Councilor Kennedy noted that if we have a situation where there are two out at a time it still allows this process to move forward, still need to reach a majority of who is present. Councilor Ellenberg noted that maybe add special election cannot be called 120 days prior to an election. Councilor Perry noted that say something happened in May we could add to a November election. The council would be more inclined to fill the seat so it is not empty for a long period time. The only issue is when it is right after an election. 90 days would be sufficient time for a special election. Councilor Linde asked about the Charter and the next candidate in line and Councilor Perry noted it all depends on when the councilor vacates the seat. Council President Loreti closed the public hearing at 7:44pm. Councilor Kennedy made a motion to approve Ordinance D-FY26-007, which was duly second by Councilor Ellenberg. A voice vote was taken with the results as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - Yea; McGrath - Yea; Loreti - No Perry - Yea Murphy - Yea; Hunt - Yea; Linde - Yea. Motion passed 7-1.” (Motion: Loreti, second: Ellenberg)
Feb 17Approve Order O-FY26-048Motion: to approve Order O-FY26-048Failed 2–6 · McGrath: No
February 17, 2026 · Item O-FY26-048: Approve Order O-FY26-048
To approve Order O-FY26-048
Voted: No
Yes: Kennedy, LoretiNo: Ellenberg, Hunt, Linde, McGrath, Murphy, Perry
From the minutes
“Councilor Kennedy made a motion to approve Order O-FY26-048, which was duly second by Councilor Loreti. A voice vote was taken with the results as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - No; McGrath - No; Loreti - Yea; Perry - No; Murphy - No; Hunt - No; Linde - No. Motion failed 2-6.” (Motion: Kennedy, second: Loreti)
Feb 17Approve Resolution R-FY26-007Motion: to approve Resolution R-FY26-007Failed 3–5 · McGrath: No
February 17, 2026 · Item R-FY26-007: Approve Resolution R-FY26-007
To approve Resolution R-FY26-007
Voted: No
Yes: Ellenberg, Hunt, LindeNo: Kennedy, Loreti, McGrath, Murphy, Perry
From the minutes
“Councilor Ellenberg made a motion to approve Resolution R-FY26-007, which was duly seconded by Councilor Linde. results as follows: Kennedy - No; Ellenberg - Yea; McGrath - No; Loreti - No; Perry - No; Murphy - No; Hunt - Yea; Linde - Yea. Motion failed 3-5.” (Motion: Ellenberg, second: Linde)
Feb 3Postpone Order O-FY26-048 indefinitelyMotion: to postpone Order O-FY26-048 indefinitelyFailed 4–4 · McGrath: No
February 3, 2026 · Item O-FY26-048: Postpone Order O-FY26-048 indefinitely
To postpone Order O-FY26-048 indefinitely
Voted: No
Yes: Hunt, Linde, Murphy, PerryNo: Ellenberg, Kennedy, Loreti, McGrath
From the minutes
“Councilor Murphy made a motion to postpone Order O-FY26-048 indefinitely, which was duly seconded by Councilor Hunt. A roll call vote was taken for the motion to postpone with the results as follows: Kennedy - No; Ellenberg - No; McGrath - No; Loreti - No; Perry - Yea; Murphy - Yea; Hunt - Yea; Linde - Yea. Motion failed 4-4-0.” (Motion: Murphy, second: Hunt)
Dec 16Approve Petition P-2026-013Motion: to approve Petition P-2026-013Passed 7–1 · McGrath: Not recorded
December 16, 2025 · Item P-2026-013: Approve Petition P-2026-013
To approve Petition P-2026-013
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 approve Petition P-2026-013, which was duly seconded by Councilor McGrath. A voice vote was taken for the motion to amend with the results as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - No; Striggles - Absent; McGrath - Yea; Loreti - Yea; Perry - Yea; Murphy - Yea; Hunt - Yea; Linde - No. Motion passed 7-1.” (Motion: Perry, second: McGrath)
Dec 16Approve Zoning Ordinance D-FY26-001Motion: to approve Zoning Ordinance D-FY26-001Passed 7–2 · McGrath: Yes
December 16, 2025 · Item D-FY26-001: Approve Zoning Ordinance D-FY26-001
To approve Zoning Ordinance D-FY26-001
Voted: Yes
Yes: Hunt, Kennedy, Linde, McGrath, Murphy, Perry, StrigglesNo: Ellenberg, Loreti
From the minutes
“Councilor Linde made a motion to approve Zoning Ordinance D-FY26-001, which was duly seconded by Councilor Linde. results as follows: Kennedy - Yea; Ellenberg - No; Striggles - Yea; McGrath - Yea; Loreti - No; Perry - Yea; Murphy - Yea; Hunt - Yea; Linde - Yea. Motion passed 7-2.” (Motion: Linde, second: Linde)
Votes with no disagreement (278)
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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