MassVoter.com← Carver Select BoardCarver Select Board · 2021–2022 Board · Regular meeting
September 28, 2021
10 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Mark Townsend, Sarah Hewins, Robert Belbin, Jen Bogart, Jim Hoffman
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Adjourn into Executive Session in accordance with G.L. c. 30A §21(a)(7) to comply with or act under the authority of general law (review minutes from Select Board's August 17, 2021 executive...
Adjourn into Executive Session in accordance with G.L. c. 30A §21(a)(7) to comply with or act under the authority of general law (review minutes from Select Board's August 17, 2021 executive session) and in accordance with G.L. ch.30A §21(a)(1) to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, and complaints against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual, and to return to open session
From the minutes
“Motion to adjourn into Executive Session in accordance with G.L. c. 30A §21(a)(7) to comply with or act under the authority of general law (review minutes from Select Board's August 17, 2021 executive session) and in accordance with G.L. ch.30A §21(a)(1) to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, and complaints against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual, and to return to open session by Belbin, second by Hoffman. Roll call- affirmative: Bogart, Belbin, Townsend, Hewins & Hoffman..” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Minutes of 8/17/21; 9/10/21; 9/14/21 & 9/21/21
Approve minutes of 8/17/21 No Action, 9/10/21, 9/14/21, 9/21/21 with amendments to all
Approve minutes of 8/17/21 No Action, 9/10/21, 9/14/21, 9/21/21 with amendments to all
From the minutes
“Motion to approve minutes of 8/17/21 No Action, 9/10/21, 9/14/21, 9/21/21 with amendments to all by Belbin, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Open Meeting Law Complaint
Approve Town Counsel to provide a response on behalf of the Select Board
Approve Town Counsel to provide a response on behalf of the Select Board
From the minutes
“Motion to approve Town Counsel to provide a response on behalf of the Select Board by Belbin, second by Hewins Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hewins)
Appoint Barrington as an Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals
Appoint Barrington as an Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals
From the minutes
“Motion by Hewins to appoint Barrington as an Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals, second by Belbin. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Belbin)
Reconvene into Executive Session at 5:35pm in accordance with G.L. ch.30A §21(a)(1) to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, and complaints against, a public officer, employee, staff member or...
Reconvene into Executive Session at 5:35pm in accordance with G.L. ch.30A §21(a)(1) to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, and complaints against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual, and to return to open session
From the minutes
“Motion to reconvene into Executive Session at 5:35pm in accordance with G.L. ch.30A §21(a)(1) to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, and complaints against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual, and to return to open session by Belbin, second by Hoffman. Roll call- affirmative: Bogart, Belbin, Townsend, Hewins & Hoffman..” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Return to Open session
Not offer a contract to either Kelley or LaFond today and continue the search
Not offer a contract to either Kelley or LaFond today and continue the search. Belbin stated the process was hampered by having an Interim in the position that wanted to apply for the job. He stated some applicants may have chosen not to be in the running because of that. He stated the TASC did a good job and wants be clear that all applicants will get a fair shot at the position. He stated having a tight timeline was tough for the town and the TASC and would like to see the process not be rushed. If he had to choose, he would choose Mr. Kelley. Hewins believes no matter how many times we look, we will not find a better Town Administrator. LaFond cares about this town and someone perfect does not exist and believes LaFond is the best the Town is going to get. Hoffman agrees with Belbin that having the Interim as one of the candidates hurt the search. Townsend stated that it would be detrimental to restart this process and have to bring in an Interim Town Administrator due to the fact that the current screening committee may not want to go through the process again. The Screening Committee did a good job and cannot control who applies or does not apply for the job. He feels one of the two finalists should be chosen
The minutes give only the count (2-3), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Bogart to not offer a contract to either Kelley or LaFond today and continue the search, second by Belbin. Belbin stated the process was hampered by having an Interim in the position that wanted to apply for the job. He stated some applicants may have chosen not to be in the running because of that. He stated the TASC did a good job and wants be clear that all applicants will get a fair shot at the position. He stated having a tight timeline was tough for the town and the TASC and would like to see the process not be rushed. If he had to choose, he would choose Mr. Kelley. Hewins believes no matter how many times we look, we will not find a better Town Administrator. LaFond cares about this town and someone perfect does not exist and believes LaFond is the best the Town is going to get. Hoffman agrees with Belbin that having the Interim as one of the candidates hurt the search. Townsend stated that it would be detrimental to restart this process and have to bring in an Interim Town Administrator due to the fact that the current screening committee may not want to go through the process again. The Screening Committee did a good job and cannot control who applies or does not apply for the job. He feels one of the two finalists should be chosen. Vote 2-3.” (Motion: Bogart, second: Belbin)
Appoint Mr. James Kelley to be the next Town Administrator
Appoint Mr. James Kelley to be the next Town Administrator. Belbin stated Kelley has a lot of experience from many different aspects of the job and thinks he would be a good change for Carver. Hewins stated that sometimes change is good and sometimes it is the worst thing in the world. There are many important things going on in the Town and this will hurt the Town. In LaFond we have a strong TA who is able to solve a lot of these issues. Change for change sake is the wrong thing to do. Hoffman agrees with both Belbin and Hewins on change. He stated there is a lack of communication from LaFond and the Board needs to be proactive, not reactive. Belbin stated communication is a huge topic. He is concerned about a few instances that have come to his attention, one of which that Cranberry Village did not pay their water bill for 3 months. He would like someone who will communicate with the Board. Townsend stated Kelley had an excellent interview and that he is well qualified and he also stated having worked with LaFond in the past year, he is also qualified. With all that is going on in Town right now, he does not feel it is the right time for change
Yes: Belbin, HoffmanNo: Hewins, TownsendAbstained: Bogart
From the minutes
“Motion by Belbin to appoint Mr. James Kelley to be the next Town Administrator, second by Hoffman. Belbin stated Kelley has a lot of experience from many different aspects of the job and thinks he would be a good change for Carver. Hewins stated that sometimes change is good and sometimes it is the worst thing in the world. There are many important things going on in the Town and this will hurt the Town. In LaFond we have a strong TA who is able to solve a lot of these issues. Change for change sake is the wrong thing to do. Hoffman agrees with both Belbin and Hewins on change. He stated there is a lack of communication from LaFond and the Board needs to be proactive, not reactive. Belbin stated communication is a huge topic. He is concerned about a few instances that have come to his attention, one of which that Cranberry Village did not pay their water bill for 3 months. He would like someone who will communicate with the Board. Townsend stated Kelley had an excellent interview and that he is well qualified and he also stated having worked with LaFond in the past year, he is also qualified. With all that is going on in Town right now, he does not feel it is the right time for change. Vote 2-2 -1 Belbin & Hoffman- Yes Hewins & Townsend- No Bogart - abstain.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Appoint LaFond as permanent Town Administrator
Appoint LaFond as permanent Town Administrator
Yes: Hewins, TownsendNo: Belbin, HoffmanAbstained: Bogart
From the minutes
“Motion by Hewins to appoint LaFond as permanent Town Administrator, second by Townsend. Vote 2-2-1 Hewins and Townsend - Yes Belbin & Hoffman - No Bogart - Abstain.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Townsend)
Continue this discussion at the next meeting
Continue this discussion at the next meeting
From the minutes
“Motion by Bogart to continue this discussion at the next meeting, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Bogart, second: Hoffman)
Adjourn at 7:05 pm
Adjourn at 7:05pm
From the minutes
“Adjourn at 7:05pm by Belbin, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
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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