MassVoter.com← Carver Select BoardCarver Select Board · 2020–2021 Board · Joint meeting
December 4, 2020
19 recorded votes, 6 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Sarah Hewins, Robert Belbin, Jen Bogart, Jim Hoffman, Mark Townsend
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Robert Belbin left the table for part of the meeting (see the notes on the votes).
Every vote, in order
Carver Cultural Council Appointment
Approve the appointment of Oleskiewicz to the Cultural Council
Approve the appointment of Oleskiewicz to the Cultural Council
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the appointment of Oleskiewicz to the Cultural Council by Townsend, second by Belbin. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Belbin)
Joint meeting with the Redevelopment Authority (RDA)
Of Select Board to appoint
Of Select Board to appoint
From the minutes
“Motion of Select Board to appoint by Belbin, second by Townsend. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Townsend)
Next Select Board meeting
Hold the next meeting on 12/15/20 at 7:00pm
Hold the next meeting on 12/15/20 at 7:00pm
From the minutes
“Motion to hold the next meeting on 12/15/20 at 7:00pm by Belbin, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Pole Hearing Continuation
Approve: Pole Hearing Continuation
Approve. Bogart asked if there is a policy to ensure the markings are in the proper spot prior to installation. Jackson stated the first time they went out, the markings were in the correct spot, the second time, the markings were moved and it is double checked by the linemen when they go out to do the installation in accordance with the map
From the minutes
“Motion to approve by Belbin, second by Hoffman. Bogart asked if there is a policy to ensure the markings are in the proper spot prior to installation. Jackson stated the first time they went out, the markings were in the correct spot, the second time, the markings were moved and it is double checked by the linemen when they go out to do the installation in accordance with the map. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Ch. 61 A Notice of Intent
Decline to exercise the Town's first right of purchase
Decline to exercise the Town's first right of purchase
Robert Belbin had left the table.
From the minutes
“Motion by Townsend to decline to exercise the Town's first right of purchase, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Approve the residential factor of 0.910158
Approve the residential factor of 0.910158. Bogart asked all departments to request less money than last year to try to reduce the burden on the taxpayers. Hewins stated it would be easier to do what Bogart is asking if the town received more money from the state & that the Town used to get over 50% in state aid, now the Town gets much less than 50% in state aid. LaFond added there are also fixed costs. Belbin would like to see the rate lowered to the 1.44% shift because it may help the town in the long run by attracting businesses to the town
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Townsend to approve the residential factor of 0.910158, second by Hoffman. Bogart asked all departments to request less money than last year to try to reduce the burden on the taxpayers. Hewins stated it would be easier to do what Bogart is asking if the town received more money from the state & that the Town used to get over 50% in state aid, now the Town gets much less than 50% in state aid. LaFond added there are also fixed costs. Belbin would like to see the rate lowered to the 1.44% shift because it may help the town in the long run by attracting businesses to the town. Vote 4-1.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Not grant a Residential exemption
Not grant a Residential exemption
From the minutes
“Motion to not grant a Residential exemption by Townsend, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Not grant a Open Space Discount
Not grant a Open Space Discount
From the minutes
“Motion to not grant a Open Space Discount by Townsend, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Not grant a Small commercial exemption
Not grant a Small commercial exemption
From the minutes
“Motion to not grant a Small commercial exemption by Townsend, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Whether or not to eliminate the Social Media Code of Conduct
Eliminate the Social Media Code of Conduct
Eliminate the Social Media Code of Conduct. Bogart feels every town official should be held to any expectation established. She would like to see a Select Board Official handbook that would include this and other documents. Townsend and Hoffman would like to see guidelines in place and it is up to each individual if they choose to follow them. Hewins agreed and added that at least this is now the Board's document
The minutes give only the count (2-3), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Belbin to eliminate the Social Media Code of Conduct, second by Bogart. Bogart feels every town official should be held to any expectation established. She would like to see a Select Board Official handbook that would include this and other documents. Townsend and Hoffman would like to see guidelines in place and it is up to each individual if they choose to follow them. Hewins agreed and added that at least this is now the Board's document. Vote 2-3.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Bogart)
Creation of a committee to review bylaws
Create a committee of 7 members of the public, including one Select Board member
Create a committee of 7 members of the public, including one Select Board member. Belbin stated he went through a number of the by-laws and thinks it may be helpful to have a committee of people review them and bring them to the Board. Bogart likes this idea and thinks it would be helpful to the Town. Townsend questioned who the members would be. Belbin stated members of the public and one Select Board member. Hoffman suggested having each board/committee review their by-law internally and make suggestions for changes. Townsend stated this is why he questioned the make-up of the committee as he would like to see people with expertise in each area as well as members of the public. Bogart stated the make-up of the committee could include a member from each of the committees. Townsend thinks that would require a varied committee and that it may be too large. Belbin stated some of the issues were definitions, i.e., the word 'person'. There are a lot of general by-laws that are outdated. Hewins stated the definition of the word 'person' for example should be a legal definition, not necessarily something a committee would do. For alarms and animals, a lot of these come from state law and the Building Commissioner. She stated it is a good idea, but that a committee may not be the right way to do it. Bogart stated while she was on the Planning Board, there was a conflict with the word 'frontage' and it ended up in the hands of the Planning Board to decide the definition
The minutes give only the count (2-3), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Belbin to create a committee of 7 members of the public, including one Select Board member, second by Bogart. Belbin stated he went through a number of the by-laws and thinks it may be helpful to have a committee of people review them and bring them to the Board. Bogart likes this idea and thinks it would be helpful to the Town. Townsend questioned who the members would be. Belbin stated members of the public and one Select Board member. Hoffman suggested having each board/committee review their by-law internally and make suggestions for changes. Townsend stated this is why he questioned the make-up of the committee as he would like to see people with expertise in each area as well as members of the public. Bogart stated the make-up of the committee could include a member from each of the committees. Townsend thinks that would require a varied committee and that it may be too large. Belbin stated some of the issues were definitions, i.e., the word 'person'. There are a lot of general by-laws that are outdated. Hewins stated the definition of the word 'person' for example should be a legal definition, not necessarily something a committee would do. For alarms and animals, a lot of these come from state law and the Building Commissioner. She stated it is a good idea, but that a committee may not be the right way to do it. Bogart stated while she was on the Planning Board, there was a conflict with the word 'frontage' and it ended up in the hands of the Planning Board to decide the definition. Vote 2-3.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Bogart)
Select Board Guidelines/Code of Conduct
Approve the Select Board Guidelines for Conduct adding a line to say these do not take away a person's first amendment rights
Approve the Select Board Guidelines for Conduct adding a line to say these do not take away a person's first amendment rights. Bogart would like to see the first amendment rights portion added to the Social Media Code of Conduct. Hewins stated that can be done at a future meeting
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Hoffman to approve the Select Board Guidelines for Conduct adding a line to say these do not take away a person's first amendment rights, second by Townsend. Bogart would like to see the first amendment rights portion added to the Social Media Code of Conduct. Hewins stated that can be done at a future meeting. Vote 4-1.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Townsend)
Select Board Agenda Policy
Approve Discussion on adding items to the agenda 5 business days in advance of the meeting
Approve Discussion on adding items to the agenda 5 business days in advance of the meeting. Bogart made a few grammatical corrections in the document
From the minutes
“Motion to approve by Belbin, second by Hoffman Discussion on adding items to the agenda 5 business days in advance of the meeting. Bogart made a few grammatical corrections in the document. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Pro-rate restaurant liquor licenses for 2021
Prorate the liquor licenses for 2021 in the amount equivalent to 6 months in the amount of $108/month and allow outdoor dining until 12/31/2020
Prorate the liquor licenses for 2021 in the amount equivalent to 6 months in the amount of $108/month and allow outdoor dining until 12/31/2020
From the minutes
“Motion by Townsend to prorate the liquor licenses for 2021 in the amount equivalent to 6 months in the amount of $108/month and allow outdoor dining until 12/31/2020 second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Carver EEN Beverages LLC
Approve: Carver EEN Beverages LLC
Approve
From the minutes
“Motion to approve by Belbin, second by Townsend. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Townsend)
Approve with a police detail required
Approve with a police detail required
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve with a police detail required by Townsend, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-1.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Approval of 2021 licenses
Approve all 2021 licenses for all alcoholic, wine and malt, common victualler, entertainment, automatic amusement, Class |, Il, Il] and Commercial Garage contingent upon payment of all taxes in full
Approve all 2021 licenses for all alcoholic, wine and malt, common victualler, entertainment, automatic amusement, Class |, Il, Il] and Commercial Garage contingent upon payment of all taxes in full
From the minutes
“Motion to approve all 2021 licenses for all alcoholic, wine and malt, common victualler, entertainment, automatic amusement, Class |, Il, Il] and Commercial Garage contingent upon payment of all taxes in full by Townsend, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0 |.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Minutes
Table all minutes
Table all minutes
From the minutes
“Motion to table all minutes by Townsend, second by Belbin. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Belbin)
Community Announcements
Adjourn at 11:40 am
Adjourn at 11:40 am
From the minutes
“Motion to adjourn at 11:40 am by Townsend, second by Belbin. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Belbin)
From the Carver Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (2025 on) and its Document Center archive (earlier years). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos of current members: Mark Townsend and Sarah Hewins from Wareham Week (January 2026); Jim Elliman from Area 58 video of the October 6, 2026 Select Board meeting (identified by the nameplate in front of each member). Members without a photo show initials.
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