MassVoter.com← CantonMunicipal votes · 2024–2025 Board
Canton Select Board
How the Canton Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Patricia M. Boyden joined the board after the April 2024 town election; Thomas W. Theodore left. On May 28, 2024 the board chose Michael C. Loughran as Chair, John R. McCourt as Vice-Chair and Christopher M. Albert as Clerk (John J. Connolly ran the meetings as Vice Chair until then). Covers 29 meetings, April 9 to March 25, 2025.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetBoard years
Coming up
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Members
ChairMichael C. LoughranChair · Elected townwide · at 27 of 29 meetings
Vice-ChairJohn R. McCourtVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 27 of 29 meetings
Patricia M. BoydenMember · Elected townwide · at 26 of 29 meetingsJohn J. ConnollyMember · Elected townwide · at 26 of 29 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.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Select Board minutes (called the Board of Selectmen until 2020) from January 9, 2018 through August 25, 2026, from the town’s Laserfiche records archive, which holds Select Board minutes back to 2002 (MassVoter has loaded 2018 on). The town has not posted open-session minutes for 62 meeting dates from 2021 to August 2026 that are listed in its Agenda Center (most of them from June to December 2021, February to December 2022 and February to September 2023, plus three in 2024, six in 2025 and two in 2026), or for any meeting after August 25, 2026. For 27 of those dates the town has posted only the executive-session minutes; we load those as the record of that meeting and say so. Joint meetings with other boards are included, but only the Select Board’s own votes. The minutes are scanned pages with a text layer; ten 2021 files had no text layer, so MassVoter read them with text recognition. Canton’s minutes give the mover, the seconder and the count for almost every vote (“Motion: Mr. J. McCourt Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0”), and split votes name the members who voted no, abstained or stepped aside in brackets (“Vote: 3-2 (Ms. Harrington and Ms. Boyden opposed)”). Remote meetings in 2020–2021 and executive-session votes use roll calls listing each member’s vote. When the count matches the members present, or every member answered in the affirmative, we show every member present as voting yes; when the minutes name the members who voted no or abstained and the count adds up, everyone else present as voting yes. Where the minutes give a split count without names, a roll call leaves out a member who was there or names one the attendance line does not show, or the count does not match the members present, we show the count only and add a note. Motions written down with no vote are shown with the result only. Two members named Connolly (John J. and Christopher J.) served together until 2023; where the minutes say only “Mr. Connolly” we do not guess which one. Members who stepped aside (recused), had not yet arrived or had left are left out of that vote. 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.
Mar 4Approve the Cemetery Commitments in the amount of $1875Motion: the Board approve the Cemetery Commitments in the amount of $1875Passed 5–0 · see note
March 4, 2025: Approve the Cemetery Commitments in the amount of $1875
The Board approve the Cemetery Commitments in the amount of $1875
The minutes give the count as 5-0, but the roll call reads: Patricia M. Boyden yes, Christopher M. Albert yes, John R. McCourt yes, Michael C. Loughran yes. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Mr. Albert that the Board approve the Cemetery Commitments in the amount of $1875, seconded by Ms. Boyden Roll call vote 5-0 Ms. P. Boyden Affirmative Mr.I Connolly Affirmative Mr. C. Albert Affirmative Mr. J. McCourt Affirmative Mr. M. Loughran Affirmative.” (Motion: Albert, second: Boyden)
Feb 18Approve the application to obtain a special license to…Motion: the Board approve the application to obtain a special license to…Passed · see note
February 18, 2025: Approve the application to obtain a special license to serve wine and malt beverages at one -day event for Blue Hills Ski Area, 4001 Washington Street to be held on…
The Board approve the application to obtain a special license to serve wine and malt beverages at one -day event for Blue Hills Ski Area, 4001 Washington Street to be held on February 28, 2025 from 11:30 AM-8:30 PM, (replacing the previously issued February 16, 2025 date which wasn't utilized) contingent upon Building Commissioner, Police Chief and Fire Chief approval
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Mr. Albert that the Board approve the application to obtain a special license to serve wine and malt beverages at one -day event for Blue Hills Ski Area, 4001 Washington Street to be held on February 28, 2025 from 11:30 AM-8:30 PM, (replacing the previously issued February 16, 2025 date which wasn't utilized) contingent upon Building Commissioner, Police Chief and Fire Chief approval;.” (Motion: Albert)
Feb 4Approve the filming permit for Sandpaper Films, contingent upon…Motion: the Board approve the filming permit for Sandpaper Films, contingent upon…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Albert
February 4, 2025: Approve the filming permit for Sandpaper Films, contingent upon notification of actual filming dates to the Police Department and Select Board Office, 48 hours in advance of filming and submission...
The Board approve the filming permit for Sandpaper Films, contingent upon notification of actual filming dates to the Police Department and Select Board Office, 48 hours in advance of filming and submission of documentation for drone usage as required by state guidelines
Yes: Boyden, John J. Connolly, LoughranAbstained: Albert
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Mr. Albert that the Board approve the filming permit for Sandpaper Films, contingent upon notification of actual filming dates to the Police Department and Select Board Office, 48 hours in advance of filming and submission of documentation for drone usage as required by state guidelines, seconded by Ms. Boyden Roll call vote, 3-0-1 Ms. Boyden Affirmative Mr. Connolly Affirmative Mr. Albert Abstain Mr. Loughran Affirmative.” (Motion: Albert, second: Boyden)
Jan 21Approve the application for a Class II Auto Dealer's…Motion: the Board approve the application for a Class II Auto Dealer's…Passed 4–0 · see note
January 21, 2025: Approve the application for a Class II Auto Dealer's License for CR 89 Cars Corp, 20 Industrial Drive, Canton, MA
The Board approve the application for a Class II Auto Dealer's License for CR 89 Cars Corp, 20 Industrial Drive, Canton, MA
The minutes give the count as 4-0, but the roll call reads: Christopher M. Albert yes, John R. McCourt yes, Michael C. Loughran yes. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Mr. Albert that the Board approve the application for a Class II Auto Dealer's License for CR 89 Cars Corp, 20 Industrial Drive, Canton, MA, seconded by Mr. McCourt, Roll call vote, 4-0 Mr. Albert Affirmative Mr. Connolly Affirmative . Mr. McCourt Affirmative Mr. Loughran Affirmative.” (Motion: Albert, second: McCourt)
Dec 17Renew the liquor license for the Canton Town Club…Motion: the Board renew the liquor license for the Canton Town Club…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: McCourt
December 17, 2024: Renew the liquor license for the Canton Town Club Inc, 300 Bailey St
The Board renew the liquor license for the Canton Town Club Inc, 300 Bailey St
Yes: Boyden, John J. Connolly, LoughranAbstained: McCourt
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Mr. Connolly that the Board renew the liquor license for the Canton Town Club Inc, 300 Bailey St, seconded by Ms. Boyden Roll call vote, 3-0-1 Ms. Boyden Affirmative Mr. Connolly Affirmative Mr. McCourt Abstain Mr. Loughran Affirmative.” (Motion: John J. Connolly, second: Boyden)
Dec 3Accept the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)-$5,100 for the…Motion: the Board accept the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)-$5,100 for the…Passed 5–0 · see note
December 3, 2024: Accept the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)-$5,100 for the Fire Department
The Board accept the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)-$5,100 for the Fire Department
The minutes give the count as 5-0, but the roll call reads: Christopher M. Albert yes, John J. Connolly yes, John R. McCourt yes, Michael C. Loughran yes. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Mr. Albert that the Board accept the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)-$5,100 for the Fire Department, seconded by Ms. Boyden Roll call vote, 5-0 ills. Boyden Affirmative Mr. Albert Affirmative Mr. Connolly Affirmative Mr. McCourt Affirmative Mr. Loughran Affirmative.” (Motion: Albert, second: Boyden)
Dec 3Re -appoint the Seasonal Parks and Recreation Rink Assistant…Motion: the Board re -appoint the Seasonal Parks and Recreation Rink Assistant…Passed · see note
December 3, 2024: Re -appoint the Seasonal Parks and Recreation Rink Assistant -James Bulman
The Board re -appoint the Seasonal Parks and Recreation Rink Assistant -James Bulman
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Mr. Albert, that the Board re -appoint the Seasonal Parks and Recreation Rink Assistant -James Bulman, seconded, Trish, roll call vote.” (Motion: Albert, second: Boyden)
Nov 26Approve the application to obtain a special license to…Motion: the Board approve the application to obtain a special license to…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
November 26, 2024: Approve the application to obtain a special license to serve wine and malt beverages at a one -day events for Friends of the Canton Public Library Comedy Night Fundraiser on…
The Board approve the application to obtain a special license to serve wine and malt beverages at a one -day events for Friends of the Canton Public Library Comedy Night Fundraiser on February S, 2025, from 5:30 PM —11:00 PM contingent upon Police, Fire and Building approval and insurance
The minutes name Patricia M. Boyden as both the mover and the seconder, so no seconder is shown.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Ms. Boyden, that the Board approve the application to obtain a special license to serve wine and malt beverages at a one -day events for Friends of the Canton Public Library Comedy Night Fundraiser on February S, 2025, from 5:30 PM —11:00 PM contingent upon Police, Fire and Building approval and insurance, seconded by Ms. Boyden Roll Call vote, 4-0 Ms. Boyden Affirmative Mr. Albert Affirmative Mr. McCourt Affirmative Mr. Loughran Affirmative.” (Motion: Boyden)
Nov 12Support the proposed ballot question without 2000 signaturesMotion: to support the proposed ballot question without 2000 signaturesFailed 2–3 · No: Albert, John J. Connolly, Loughran
November 12, 2024: Support the proposed ballot question without 2000 signatures
To support the proposed ballot question without 2000 signatures
Yes: Boyden, McCourtNo: Albert, John J. Connolly, Loughran
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Ms. Boyden to support the proposed ballot question without 2000 signatures, seconded by Mr. McCourt Roll Call vote, 2-3 motion fails Ms. Boyden Affirmative Mr. Albert Opposed Mr. J. Connolly Opposed Mr. McCourt Affirmative Mr. Loughran Opposed.” (Motion: Boyden, second: McCourt)
Nov 12Appoint a citizen at large member to the Community…Motion: the Board appoint a citizen at large member to the Community…Passed · see note
November 12, 2024: Appoint a citizen at large member to the Community Preservation Committee -Debra Sundin
The Board appoint a citizen at large member to the Community Preservation Committee -Debra Sundin
The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Ms. Boyden that the Board appoint a citizen at large member to the Community Preservation Committee -Debra Sundin.” (Motion: Boyden)
From the Canton Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Laserfiche records archive. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: The Canton Citizen (Susan M. Harrington, John R. McCourt, Michael C. Loughran and Julie Beckham, from their candidacy announcements; Patricia M. Boyden cropped from a captioned photo of the board by Moira Sweetland, February 2026).
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