MassVoter.com← Carver Select BoardCarver Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
February 27, 2024
16 recorded votes, 4 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
Go into Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3), to discuss strategy with respect to contract negotiations (Finance Director- Karen Preval) that if discussing the matters in open...
Go into Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3), to discuss strategy with respect to contract negotiations (Finance Director- Karen Preval) that if discussing the matters in open session may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Town, and return to open session
The roll call lists Dan Ryan, John Cotter, Mark Townsend and Sarah Hewins voting yes, but does not list Jim Hoffman, who was present. Individual votes are not shown.
From the minutes
“Motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3), to discuss strategy with respect to contract negotiations (Finance Director- Karen Preval) that if discussing the matters in open session may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Town, and return to open session by Hewins, second by Ryan. Roll Call: Affirmative - Ryan, Cotter, Townsend, Hewins..” (Motion: Hewins, second: Ryan)
Citizens Participation
Ratify the Finance Director Contract with Karen Preval
Ratify the Finance Director Contract with Karen Preval
From the minutes
“Motion to ratify the Finance Director Contract with Karen Preval by Hewins, second by Ryan. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Ryan)
Application for appointment to Earth Removal Committee
Approve Judy Richards to the Earth Removal Committee
Approve Judy Richards to the Earth Removal Committee
From the minutes
“Motion to approve Judy Richards to the Earth Removal Committee by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Town Administrator Screening Committee
Approve Kevin Tracey to the Town Administrator Screening Committee as the Business Representative
Approve Kevin Tracey to the Town Administrator Screening Committee as the Business Representative
From the minutes
“Motion to approve Kevin Tracey to the Town Administrator Screening Committee as the Business Representative by Hoffman, second by Hewins. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Hewins)
Revolving Fund
Place this article on the warrant
Place this article on the warrant
From the minutes
“Motion to place this article on the warrant by Hoffman, second by Hewins. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Hewins)
Recommend this revolving funds article
Recommend this revolving funds article
Yes: Hewins, Hoffman, Ryan, TownsendNo: Cotter
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend this revolving funds article by Hewins, second by Ryan. Vote 4-1 (Cotter).” (Motion: Hewins, second: Ryan)
Recommend this article regarding group health insurance for eligible employees and retirees
Recommend this article regarding group health insurance for eligible employees and retirees
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend this article regarding group health insurance for eligible employees and retirees by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Finance Committee bylaw
Place article on the warrant
Place article on the warrant
From the minutes
“Motion to place article on the warrant by Cotter, second by Ryan. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Ryan)
Approve: Finance Committee bylaw
Approve
From the minutes
“Motion to approve by Ryan, second by Hewins. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Approve as amended: Finance Committee bylaw
Approve as amended
From the minutes
“Motion to approve as amended by Ryan, second by Hewins. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Discussion
Approve as amended: Discussion
Approve as amended
From the minutes
“Motion to approve as amended by Ryan, second by Cotter. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Cotter)
For this new bolded section to read "The Finance Committee members may not sit on another board, committee or commission without approval of the Select Board or bylaw requiring a Finance Committee...
For this new bolded section to read "The Finance Committee members may not sit on another board, committee or commission without approval of the Select Board or bylaw requiring a Finance Committee rep. and said member must recuse him or herself on any Finance Committee vote on the budget or financial matter of that board, committee or commission on which they sit". Ryan added an amendment to take out the word "that" in the first part of this section. Second by Ryan. Discussion: Cotter explained that he believes that no one should sit on any other Board if they are on the Finance Committee. Townsend agreed with Cotter on this statement. Hoffman suggested that is also include a ban on the Full-time & Part-time employees serving on the Finance Committee. Fennessy stated that is technically it may be a conflict if they did as there are budgets being voted on, and even if they would recuse themselves from their budget, by voting on other budgets it may affect the money available for their budget. Fennessy said a town administrator, in conjunction with the moderator and Finance Committee Chair would not likely appoint a town employee
Yes: Hewins, Ryan, TownsendNo: Cotter, Hoffman
From the minutes
“Motion by Hewins for this new bolded section to read "The Finance Committee members may not sit on another board, committee or commission without approval of the Select Board or bylaw requiring a Finance Committee rep. and said member must recuse him or herself on any Finance Committee vote on the budget or financial matter of that board, committee or commission on which they sit". Ryan added an amendment to take out the word "that" in the first part of this section. Second by Ryan. Discussion: Cotter explained that he believes that no one should sit on any other Board if they are on the Finance Committee. Townsend agreed with Cotter on this statement. Hoffman suggested that is also include a ban on the Full-time & Part-time employees serving on the Finance Committee. Fennessy stated that is technically it may be a conflict if they did as there are budgets being voted on, and even if they would recuse themselves from their budget, by voting on other budgets it may affect the money available for their budget. Fennessy said a town administrator, in conjunction with the moderator and Finance Committee Chair would not likely appoint a town employee. Vote 3-2 (Cotter & Hoffman).” (Motion: Hewins)
Mullen Rule
Place this article on the warrant
Place this article on the warrant
From the minutes
“Motion to place this article on the warrant by Ryan, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Recommend this article regarding the Mullen rule
Recommend this article regarding the Mullen rule
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend this article regarding the Mullen rule by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Set Annual Town Meeting to Tuesday June 4, 2024 with a second night of Wednesday June 5, 2024
Set Annual Town Meeting to Tuesday June 4, 2024 with a second night of Wednesday June 5, 2024
Yes: Hewins, Hoffman, Ryan, TownsendNo: Cotter
From the minutes
“Motion to set Annual Town Meeting to Tuesday June 4, 2024 with a second night of Wednesday June 5, 2024 by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-1 (Cotter).” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Approval of Minutes
Approve as amended: Approval of Minutes
Approve as amended
From the minutes
“Motion to approve as amended by Hoffman, second by Hewins. Vote 5-0.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Hewins)
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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