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Municipal votes · 2020–2021 Board

Carver Select Board

How the Carver Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Jen Bogart and Jim Hoffman joined the board after the 2020 town election; Ronald Clarke and Alan Dunham left. On June 16, 2020 the board chose Sarah Hewins as Chair (3-2) and Robert Belbin as Vice Chair (4-0-1). Covers 27 meetings, June 16 to April 20, 2021.

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 budget
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

Your Carver ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.

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Board years

Coming up

From the agendas Carver posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.

What Town Meeting decided

In Carver, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.

Special Town Meeting · April 7, 2026 2 votes: 2 passed

Source: Town Clerk's minutes, April 7, 2026 Special Town Meeting (scanned).

Annual Town Meeting · April 7, 2026 20 votes: 17 passed, 1 passed as amended, 2 failed

Source: Town Clerk's minutes, 2026 Annual Town Meeting (scanned).

Special Town Meeting · October 7, 2025 12 votes: 7 passed, 1 passed as amended, 3 failed, 1 indefinitely postponed

Source: Town Clerk's minutes, October 7, 2025 Special Town Meeting.

Annual Town Meeting · April 8, 2025 29 votes: 24 passed, 3 passed as amended, 2 failed

Source: Town Clerk's minutes in the 2025 Annual Town Report.

Annual Town Meeting · June 4, 2024 16 votes: 12 passed, 1 failed, 3 indefinitely postponed

Source: Town Clerk's minutes in the 2024 Annual Town Report.

Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).

Members

Jen BogartMember · Elected townwide · at 26 of 27 meetingsJim HoffmanMember · Elected townwide · at 27 of 27 meetingsMark TownsendMember · Elected townwide · at 27 of 27 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 from January 16, 2018 through September 8, 2026. Minutes from 2025 on come from the town’s online Agenda Center; earlier minutes come from the Select Board folder of the town’s Document Center, which holds minutes back to 2013 (MassVoter has loaded 2018 on). Not here: executive-session minutes; minutes of the board’s two-member subcommittee; minutes the town has not posted, including October 21, 2025, May 28, 2026 (an executive session) and July 9, 2026 (a dog hearing); and meetings after September 8, 2026. The archive holds fewer meetings for 2018 (16) and 2019 (24) than for later years, and none between August 15 and October 6, 2023. Most minutes are typed; 21 are scanned copies, which MassVoter read with text-recognition software and checked by hand. Carver’s minutes usually give a count such as “Vote 5-0” or “Vote 4 to 1 (Cotter)”; from mid-2024 many also list each member’s vote, and executive-session votes are roll calls. When the count matches the members present, we show every member present as voting yes, and when the minutes name the members who voted no or abstained, everyone else present as voting yes. Where the minutes give only a split count without names, list a member as absent who then makes or votes on motions, or the names and the count do not match, we show the count only and add a note. Votes taken by other boards at joint meetings (such as the Finance Committee and Planning Board), and joint votes of the Select Board with another board to fill a vacancy, are not included. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 · Regular meeting5 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, April 6, 2021 · Regular meeting16 recorded votes, 5 with disagreementAll 5 members presentWednesday, March 24, 2021 · Regular meeting1 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAbsent: Jen BogartTuesday, March 16, 2021 · Regular meeting24 recorded votes, 2 with disagreementAll 5 members presentWednesday, March 10, 2021 · Joint meeting14 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAbsent: Robert Belbin

Votes where members disagreed

Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.

Apr 6Exercise first right of refusalMotion: exercise first right of refusal. Belbin questioned the Town's time frame…Passed 3–2 · see note

April 6, 2021: Exercise first right of refusal

ApprovePassed · 3–2

Exercise first right of refusal. Belbin questioned the Town's time frame on exercising its first right of refusal. Medeiros stated the town has 30 day to exercise its right for appraisal and 120 days for the first right of refusal. The application was received in March 9th. Belbin would like to see the property appraised. Hewins stated if this is something the Board is interested in looking at, she does not want it to be decided spur of the moment, but rather to see if it is on the Open Space and Recreation Plan, etc. Belbin stated it was received by the Board a few days ago in their packets. Hewins stated an alternative is to study the Open Space & Recreation Plan and to find out what the best location would be to place affordable housing. Hoffman asked if that process was taken by the Department Heads who made the recommendation. Hewins stated it is her understanding that is the process, as that was the process when she was the Conservation Agent. LaFond added that funds would need to be on hand to do an appraisal and if the Board would like a different process, that is fine, but the professional staff provide a recommendation. Hewins stated she would prefer affordable housing units not be singled out as people would know which houses they were. Belbin stated everyone knows about Mazilli Way- it was highly publicized. Townsend stated he would like to see a representative of Town personnel at future meetings

The minutes give only the count (3-2), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Motion to exercise first right of refusal by Hoffman 2nd by Townsend. Belbin questioned the Town's time frame on exercising its first right of refusal. Medeiros stated the town has 30 day to exercise its right for appraisal and 120 days for the first right of refusal. The application was received in March 9th. Belbin would like to see the property appraised. Hewins stated if this is something the Board is interested in looking at, she does not want it to be decided spur of the moment, but rather to see if it is on the Open Space and Recreation Plan, etc. Belbin stated it was received by the Board a few days ago in their packets. Hewins stated an alternative is to study the Open Space & Recreation Plan and to find out what the best location would be to place affordable housing. Hoffman asked if that process was taken by the Department Heads who made the recommendation. Hewins stated it is her understanding that is the process, as that was the process when she was the Conservation Agent. LaFond added that funds would need to be on hand to do an appraisal and if the Board would like a different process, that is fine, but the professional staff provide a recommendation. Hewins stated she would prefer affordable housing units not be singled out as people would know which houses they were. Belbin stated everyone knows about Mazilli Way- it was highly publicized. Townsend stated he would like to see a representative of Town personnel at future meetings. Vote 3-2.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Townsend)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Apr 6Recommend: Article #6 Capital Improvement BudgetMotion: recommendPassed 4–1 · see note

April 6, 2021: Recommend: Article #6 Capital Improvement Budget

ApprovePassed · 4–1

Recommend

The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Motion to recommend by Townsend, second by Belbin. Vote 4-1.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Belbin)

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

Apr 6RecommendMotion: recommendFailed 0–5 · No: Belbin, Bogart, Hewins, Hoffman, Townsend

April 6, 2021: Recommend

ApproveFailed · 0–5

Recommend

No: Belbin, Bogart, Hewins, Hoffman, Townsend

From the minutes

“Motion to recommend by Belbin, second by Hoffman Vote 0-5.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)

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

Apr 6Recommend: Article #20- Large-Scale ground mounted solarMotion: recommendPassed 4–1 · see note

April 6, 2021: Recommend: Article #20- Large-Scale ground mounted solar

ApprovePassed · 4–1

Recommend

The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Motion to recommend by Townsend, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-1.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Mar 16Accept the bylaw as presented and to recommend to…Motion: accept the bylaw as presented and to recommend to Annual Town…Passed 4–1 · see note

March 16, 2021: Accept the bylaw as presented and to recommend to Annual Town Meeting

ApprovePassed · 4–1

Accept the bylaw as presented and to recommend to Annual Town Meeting. Belbin would like to clarify that this bylaw allows agriculture on their property, but it does not allow the regular resident to do maintenance on their property without permission from the Commission first. Hewins stated that there is an agricultural exemption in state law. Bogart stated that the destruction of shrubs, flowers or grasses is really specific and this may cause a lot of traffic to come to the Conservation Commission. Moore stated if there is an existing lawn, it can be reseeded, if it is a forest and they are asking to reseed the lawn then they will look into that. Bogart questioned what percentage of variances are granted. Moore stated that they don't have many requests for variances and every case is different. Belbin would like to see wording in the bylaw that residents don't have to go to the Conservation Commission and have the Board vote, but rather submit a letter of intention. Moore stated that almost every situation starts as an informal discussion with the Commission. If there is a tree that is a threat to your home, it will be approved, but if you want to remove shrubs next to a bog and replace them with something else, this disrupts the nutrients in the soil. The intent is to protect the wetlands and to keep the water clean as well as the surrounding 100'

The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Motion by Hoffman to accept the bylaw as presented and to recommend to Annual Town Meeting, second by Townsend. Belbin would like to clarify that this bylaw allows agriculture on their property, but it does not allow the regular resident to do maintenance on their property without permission from the Commission first. Hewins stated that there is an agricultural exemption in state law. Bogart stated that the destruction of shrubs, flowers or grasses is really specific and this may cause a lot of traffic to come to the Conservation Commission. Moore stated if there is an existing lawn, it can be reseeded, if it is a forest and they are asking to reseed the lawn then they will look into that. Bogart questioned what percentage of variances are granted. Moore stated that they don't have many requests for variances and every case is different. Belbin would like to see wording in the bylaw that residents don't have to go to the Conservation Commission and have the Board vote, but rather submit a letter of intention. Moore stated that almost every situation starts as an informal discussion with the Commission. If there is a tree that is a threat to your home, it will be approved, but if you want to remove shrubs next to a bog and replace them with something else, this disrupts the nutrients in the soil. The intent is to protect the wetlands and to keep the water clean as well as the surrounding 100'. Vote 4-1.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Townsend)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Mar 16Recommend: Permit conditionsMotion: recommend. Bogart stated that the solar revisions later in the warrant…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note

March 16, 2021: Recommend: Permit conditions

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present

Recommend. Bogart stated that the solar revisions later in the warrant has wording very similar to this

Mark Townsend recused and did not take part in this vote.

From the minutes

“Motion to recommend by Belbin, second by Hoffman. Bogart stated that the solar revisions later in the warrant has wording very similar to this. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)

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

Mar 10Table Article #10Motion: table Article #10Passed · see note

March 10, 2021 (Joint meeting): Table Article #10

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

Table Article #10

The roll call lists Mark Townsend, but the minutes show this member as not taking part (Mark Townsend had recused). Individual votes are not shown. Mark Townsend recused and did not take part in this vote.

From the minutes

“Motion by Bogart to table Article #10, second by Hoffman Roll Call - Affirmative: Bogart, Hoffman, Hewins, Townsend.” (Motion: Bogart, second: Hoffman)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Mar 2Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Carver Police…Motion: approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Carver Police Union and…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Bogart

March 2, 2021: Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Carver Police Union and the Town of Carver

ApprovePassed · 4–0

Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Carver Police Union and the Town of Carver

Yes: Belbin, Hewins, Hoffman, TownsendAbstained: Bogart

From the minutes

“Motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Carver Police Union and the Town of Carver by Belbin second by Townsend Vote 4-0-1 (Bogart abstained).” (Motion: Belbin, second: Townsend)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Feb 2Decline the Town's first right of purchaseMotion: decline the Town's first right of purchasePassed 3–2 · see note

February 2, 2021: Decline the Town's first right of purchase

ApprovePassed · 3–2

Decline the Town's first right of purchase

The minutes give only the count (3-2), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Motion to decline the Town's first right of purchase by Townsend, second by Hoffman Vote 3-2.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Jan 19Change the wording of 1.1.1 to say.."in the month…Motion: change the wording of 1.1.1 to say.."in the month of April,…Failed 2–3 · see note

January 19, 2021: Change the wording of 1.1.1 to say.."in the month of April, May or June on a day to be set by the Select Board". Belbin stated if no one comes…

ApproveFailed · 2–3

Change the wording of 1.1.1 to say.."in the month of April, May or June on a day to be set by the Select Board". Belbin stated if no one comes forward that wants to talk about it, than it is a dead issue. If each change is being taken one a time, he would need to do that with his proposed changes. Hewins stated Bogarts proposed change is not conduct related

The minutes give only the count (2-3), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Motion by Bogart to change the wording of 1.1.1 to say .."in the month of April, May or June on a day to be set by the Select Board", second by Belbin. Belbin stated if no one comes forward that wants to talk about it, than it is a dead issue. If each change is being taken one a time, he would need to do that with his proposed changes. Hewins stated Bogarts proposed change is not conduct related. Vote 2-3.” (Motion: Bogart, second: Belbin)

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

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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