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Photo of John R. McCourt

Canton Clerk

John R. McCourt

Elected townwide · 4 terms in this record

JR McCourt

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Board years

2026–2027 Board2025–2026 Board2024–2025 Board2023–2024 Board
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2024–2025 Board

27 of 29meetings attended (93%) · whole board 90%
356votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
3no votes (<1% of votes cast) · whole board <1%
3 of 8split votes where McCourt was in the minority · whole board 31%
3abstained
4terms in this record

On split votes, McCourt voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2024–2025 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list McCourt 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

No recent stories found that name John R. McCourt in the headline or opening.

Stories that name John R. McCourt in the headline or opening, newest first, from 25 free news outlets (see the list). Headlines appear as each outlet published them; MassVoter does not write, choose or rate them. Only stories that are free to read are listed.

Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.

Attendance

At the start of 27 of 29 Select Board meetings in 2024–2025 Board.

Missed

  • Feb 4, 2025 · Regular: Absent (The Chair noted Member John McCourt was not present for the meeting)
  • Jul 9, 2024 · Regular: Absent (It was noted Mr. J. McCourt was not present; It was noted Mr. J, McCourt was not present)
Every meeting (29)

Votes where members disagreed · 2024–2025 Board

Mar 4Approve the Cemetery Commitments in the amount of $1875Motion: the Board approve the Cemetery Commitments in the amount of $1875Passed 5–0 · McCourt: Not recorded

March 4, 2025: Approve the Cemetery Commitments in the amount of $1875

ApprovePassed · 5–0

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

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 · McCourt: Not recorded

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...

ApprovePassed · 3–0

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

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 · McCourt: Not recorded

January 21, 2025: Approve the application for a Class II Auto Dealer's License for CR 89 Cars Corp, 20 Industrial Drive, Canton, MA

ApprovePassed · 4–0

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

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 · McCourt: Abstained

December 17, 2024: Renew the liquor license for the Canton Town Club Inc, 300 Bailey St

ApprovePassed · 3–0

The Board renew the liquor license for the Canton Town Club Inc, 300 Bailey St

Voted: Abstained

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

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 · McCourt: Not recorded

December 3, 2024: Accept the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)-$5,100 for the Fire Department

ApprovePassed · 5–0

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

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 · McCourt: Yes

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…

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present

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

Voted: Yes

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Nov 12Support the proposed ballot question without 2000 signaturesMotion: to support the proposed ballot question without 2000 signaturesFailed 2–3 · McCourt: Yes

November 12, 2024: Support the proposed ballot question without 2000 signatures

ApproveFailed · 2–3

To support the proposed ballot question without 2000 signatures

Voted: Yes

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Nov 12Appoint a citizen at large memberto the Community Preservation…Motion: the Board appoint a citizen at large memberto the Community Preservation…Passed 4–1 · McCourt: Yes

November 12, 2024: Appoint a citizen at large memberto the Community Preservation Committee -Thomas Theodore

AppointPassed · 4–1

The Board appoint a citizen at large memberto the Community Preservation Committee -Thomas Theodore

Voted: Yes

Yes: Albert, John J. Connolly, Loughran, McCourtNo: Boyden

From the minutes

“Motion was made by Mr. McCourt that the Board appoint a citizen at large memberto the Community Preservation Committee -Thomas Theodore, seconded by Mr. Albert Roll Call vote, 4-1 Ms. Boyden Opposed Mr. Albert Affirmative Mr. J. Connolly Affirmative Mr. McCourt Affirmative Mr. Loughran Affirmative.” (Motion: McCourt, second: Albert)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Oct 8Support Article 5 Appropriation to increase Special Education Reserve…Motion: the Board support Article 5 Appropriation to increase Special Education Reserve…Passed 5–0 · McCourt: Not recorded

October 8, 2024: Support Article 5 Appropriation to increase Special Education Reserve Account

ApprovePassed · 5–0

The Board support Article 5 Appropriation to increase Special Education Reserve Account

The roll call lists a member twice. Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“Motion was made by Mr. Albert that the Board support Article 5 Appropriation to increase Special Education Reserve Account, seconded by Ms. Boyden Roll Call vote, 5-0 Ms. Boyden Affirmative Mr. Albert Affirmative Mr. J. Connolly Affirmative Mr. McCourt Affirmative Mr. Loughran Affirmative I move that the Board approve the Warrant for the State Election on November 5, 2024 seconded by Ms. Boyden Roll Call vote, 5-0 Ms. Boyden Affirmative Mr. Albert Affirmative Mr. J. Connolly Affirmative Mr. McCourt Affirmative Mr. Loughran Affirmative.” (Motion: Albert, second: Boyden)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Oct 8Approve the Deputy Police Chief of Operations and Deputy…Motion: the Board approve the Deputy Police Chief of Operations and Deputy…Passed 4–0 · McCourt: Yes

October 8, 2024: Approve the Deputy Police Chief of Operations and Deputy Police Chief of Administration contracts

ApprovePassed · 4–0

The Board approve the Deputy Police Chief of Operations and Deputy Police Chief of Administration contracts

Voted: Yes

Yes: Boyden, John J. Connolly, Loughran, McCourtAbstained: Albert

From the minutes

“Motion was made by Mr. McCourt that the Board approve the Deputy Police Chief of Operations and Deputy Police Chief of Administration contracts, seconded by Ms. Boyden Roll Call vote, 4-0-1 Ms. Boyden Affirmative Mr. Albert Abstain Mr. J. Connolly Affirmative Mr. McCourt Affirmative Mr. Loughran Affirmative.” (Motion: McCourt, second: Boyden)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (370)

    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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