MassVoter.com← Carver Select BoardCarver Select Board · 2020–2021 Board · Regular meeting
March 16, 2021
24 recorded votes, 2 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:
- Mark Townsend recused from one or more items (see the notes on the votes).
Every vote, in order
Conservation Commission Warrant Article Bylaw Amendment
Accept the bylaw as presented and to recommend to Annual Town Meeting
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)
Chapter 3 of Town Bylaws
Remove wording from the second to last sentence 'less than 3 years or'
Remove wording from the second to last sentence 'less than 3 years or'
From the minutes
“Motion by Townsend to remove wording from the second to last sentence 'less than 3 years or', second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0 aa.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Recommend the bylaw as amended
Recommend the bylaw as amended. Discussion on if vthere is a placeholder for this on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
From the minutes
“Motion by Bogart to recommend the bylaw as amended, second by Hoffman. Discussion on if vthere is a placeholder for this on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Bogart, second: Hoffman)
Annual Town Meeting Warrant Article Recommendations
Allow the Draft Article for Plymouth St. Water Line borrowing & Library and Town Hall projects to be put on the warrant
Allow the Draft Article for Plymouth St. Water Line borrowing & Library and Town Hall projects to be put on the warrant. Belbin stated he does not like bonding and is looking to LaFond for options for funding. Hewins stated the Town does not have the funding and currently interest rates are low
From the minutes
“Motion to allow the Draft Article for Plymouth St. Water Line borrowing & Library and Town Hall projects to be put on the warrant by Townsend, second by Hoffman. Belbin stated he does not like bonding and is looking to LaFond for options for funding. Hewins stated the Town does not have the funding and currently interest rates are low. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Permit conditions
Recommend: Permit conditions
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)
Permitting Authority Bylaw
Recommend: Permitting Authority Bylaw
Recommend
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Townsend, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Select Board Bylaw Change
Recommend: Select Board Bylaw Change
Recommend. Townsend questioned LaFond if the striking out of 'endeavor to' meant that there is an opening and the only person that applies to fill the opening is a previous member of that Board, we cannot appoint them. Bogart questioned what the history was for a Select Board member can't hold another position for one-year after. LaFond stated it is not uncommon for someone to resign from a Board to be eligible for a positidn in the Town. Hewins stated this may go back to the Ethics law as well
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Belbin, second by Hoffman. Townsend questioned LaFond if the striking out of 'endeavor to' meant that there is an opening and the only person that applies to fill the opening is a previous member of that Board, we cannot appoint them. Bogart questioned what the history was for a Select Board member can't hold another position for one-year after. LaFond stated it is not uncommon for someone to resign from a Board to be eligible for a positidn in the Town. Hewins stated this may go back to the Ethics law as well. Vote 5-0 toe boat.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Finance Committee Bylaw Change
Table: Finance Committee Bylaw Change
Table
From the minutes
“Motion to table by Belbin, second by Hoffman Vote: 5-0 7 7.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Capital Outlay Bylaw Change
Table: Capital Outlay Bylaw Change
Table
From the minutes
“Motion to table by Townsend, second by Belbin Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Belbin)
Protection of Recreational Area in Perpetuity
Have Hewins draft an informational summary for this article
Have Hewins draft an informational summary for this article
From the minutes
“Motion by Bogart to have Hewins draft an informational summary for this article, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Bogart, second: Hoffman)
Recommend: Protection of Recreational Area in Perpetuity
Recommend
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Bogart, second by Belbin. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Bogart, second: Belbin)
Landfills, Dumps, Fly Ash & Facilities Prohibition
Recommend: Landfills, Dumps, Fly Ash & Facilities Prohibition
Recommend. Belbin stated this does not include a transfer station or recycling facility
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Belbin, second by Hoffman. Belbin stated this does not include a transfer station or recycling facility. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Transfer of Property from Select Board to Conservation Commission
Recommend: Transfer of Property from Select Board to Conservation Commission
Recommend. Belbin questioned why a certain parcel is. going to Conservation and Recreation. Hewins stated it. could if the Board or Town Meeting cliooses to make that change. LaFond & Hewins stated Conservation Commissions are always charged with this type of care and custody. oi [
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Belbin, second by Townsend. Belbin questioned why a certain parcel is. going to Conservation and Recreation. Hewins stated it. could if the Board or Town Meeting cliooses to make that change. LaFond & Hewins stated Conservation Commissions are always charged with this type of care and custody. oi [ Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Townsend)
Suprlus Property to be sold to MA Dept. of Fish & Game
Recommend. °
Recommend. °
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Belbin, second by Hoffman. ° Vote 5-0 |.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Picnic Isle Land Acquisition by Eminent Domain
Recommend: Picnic Isle Land Acquisition by Eminent Domain
Recommend
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Belbin, second by Townsend. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Townsend)
Cedar Swamp Land Donation
Recommend: Cedar Swamp Land Donation
Recommend
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Townsend, second by Belbin. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Belbin)
#21
Take no action: #21
Take no action
From the minutes
“Motion to take no action by Belbin, second by Hoffman Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
#22 Large Scale Ground Mounted Solar Voltaic Installations
Take no action: #22 Large Scale Ground Mounted Solar Voltaic Installations
Take no action
From the minutes
“Motion to take no action by Belbin, second by Townsend. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Townsend)
#23 Solar Canopies
Take no action: #23 Solar Canopies
Take no action
From the minutes
“Motion to take no action by Belbin, second by Townsend. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Townsend)
Take no action. |
Take no action. |
From the minutes
“Motion to take no action by Belbin, second by Hoffman. | Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
#25 Single Family Cluster Development
Recommend for everyone _ to watch the Zoning bylaw review committee meeting to understand the history of this
Recommend for everyone _ to watch the Zoning bylaw review committee meeting to understand the history of this. That committee was not favorable to this. Hoffman stated this was also the topic on the most recent Planning Board meeting
From the minutes
“Bogart recommended for everyone _ to watch the Zoning bylaw review committee meeting to understand the history of this. That committee was not favorable to this. Hoffman stated this was also the topic on the most recent Planning Board meeting. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Bogart)
#26 Non-Medical Marijuana Overlay District
Take no action: #26 Non-Medical Marijuana Overlay District
Take no action
From the minutes
“Motion to take no action by Belbin, second by Townsend. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Townsend)
#27 Townhouse Definition
Take no action: #27 Townhouse Definition
Take no action
From the minutes
“Motion to take no action by Hoffman, second by Townsend. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Townsend)
Select Board Notes
Adjourn at 10:05 pm
Adjourn at 10:05 pm
From the minutes
“Motion to adjourn at 10:05 pm 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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