MassVoter.com← Carver Select BoardCarver Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
December 11, 2023
4 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF)
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Mark Townsend, Jim Hoffman, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins, Dan Ryan
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Set Date for Annual Town Meeting and Deadline for Articles
Approve Annual Town Meeting to be held on April 9, 2024 at 6:30pm, with a second night if needed of April 11, 2024 at 6:30pm
Approve Annual Town Meeting to be held on April 9, 2024 at 6:30pm, with a second night if needed of April 11, 2024 at 6:30pm. Ryan noted in years past there has been a special Town Meeting. Fennessy stated a Special Town Meeting can be held within the Annual Town Meeting if needed
From the minutes
“Motion to approve Annual Town Meeting to be held on April 9, 2024 at 6:30pm, with a second night if needed of April 11, 2024 at 6:30pm by Ryan, second by Hoffman. Ryan noted in years past there has been a special Town Meeting. Fennessy stated a Special Town Meeting can be held within the Annual Town Meeting if needed. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Open the warrant for Articles on December 12 at 8:00 and to close on January 4, 2024 at 3:00pm
Open the warrant for Articles on December 12 at 8:00 and to close on January 4, 2024 at 3:00pm
From the minutes
“Motion to open the warrant for Petition Articles on December 12 at 8:00am and the warrant closes on January 2nd at 4:00pm by Hoffman, second by Hewins. Motion amended to open the warrant for Articles on December 12 at 8:00 and to close on January 4, 2024 at 3:00pm by Hoffman, second by Hewins. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Hewins)
Not to exercise the Town's right of first refusal
Not to exercise the Town's right of first refusal. Hewins stated that she understands that affordable housing is not a popular topic. She asked what is it that people are afraid of here? What are they worried about? Is it what the homes will look like? Is it the type of people who will live in these homes? Are they worried that these people are going to be criminals? If that's the case, Hewins said, then she has a short story to tell: when she was little, there was a time when she and her mother and brother were homeless. They lived at a YMCA in Philadelphia. She said she turned out okay, and that she kind of likes herself. She also said that one of the Select Board members didn't want to use ARPA money because we had so much money in CPA funds for affordable housing. She added, Well, now's our chance! She also said she would like the Board to actually do something rather than just being ceremonial. Cotter stated trying to find small lots around Town doesn't seem to be cost effective with the Town's money. He would like to see the affordable housing plan revised. Hewins asked if he means that all the affordable home should be put in one place instead of blended in throughout town. Cotter feels that we should incentivize developers to make affordable units part of their projects in any location within town. Hoffman stated that he has two issues. The first issue is that he thinks that most people thought the property would be purchased for conservation purposes. The second issu
Yes: Cotter, Hoffman, Ryan, TownsendNo: Hewins
From the minutes
“Motion by Hoffman not to exercise the Town's right of first refusal, second by Cotter. Hewins stated that she understands that affordable housing is not a popular topic. She asked what is it that people are afraid of here? What are they worried about? Is it what the homes will look like? Is it the type of people who will live in these homes? Are they worried that these people are going to be criminals? If that's the case, Hewins said, then she has a short story to tell: when she was little, there was a time when she and her mother and brother were homeless. They lived at a YMCA in Philadelphia. She said she turned out okay, and that she kind of likes herself. She also said that one of the Select Board members didn't want to use ARPA money because we had so much money in CPA funds for affordable housing. She added, Well, now's our chance! She also said she would like the Board to actually do something rather than just being ceremonial. Cotter stated trying to find small lots around Town doesn't seem to be cost effective with the Town's money. He would like to see the affordable housing plan revised. Hewins asked if he means that all the affordable home should be put in one place instead of blended in throughout town. Cotter feels that we should incentivize developers to make affordable units part of their projects in any location within town. Hoffman stated that he has two issues. The first issue is that he thinks that most people thought the property would be purchased for conservation purposes. The second issue he has is that the Town would be purchasing three lots and only using two and also the Town would be purchasing cranberry bogs and then convey them back to the land owner. He is hoping for other opportunities for land in the future and does not want to spend the money for land that cannot be fully utilized. Vote 4-1 (Hewins).” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Cotter)
Citizens Participation
Adjourn at 7:28pm
Adjourn at 7:28pm
From the minutes
“Motion to adjourn by Hoffman at 7:28pm, second by Cotter. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Cotter)
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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