MassVoter.com← Carver Select BoardCarver Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
September 9, 2025
20 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Mark Townsend, Dan Ryan, Sarah Hewins, John Cotter, Jim Hoffman
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Weston
Go into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L., Ch.30A, 21 (a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to conduct collective bargaining (Clerical Union) and M.G.L.,Ch.30A,21 (a)(2) to discuss contract...
Go into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L., Ch.30A, 21 (a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to conduct collective bargaining (Clerical Union) and M.G.L.,Ch.30A,21 (a)(2) to discuss contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Finance Director) and return to open session
From the minutes
“Motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L., Ch.30A, 21 (a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to conduct collective bargaining (Clerical Union) and M.G.L.,Ch.30A,21 (a)(2) to discuss contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Finance Director) and return to open session by Ryan, second by Hoffman. Roll Call: Affirmative -- Cotter, Ryan, Townsend, Hoffman, Hewins.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
List by Article number and description
Include Article 9 in the warrant
Include Article 9 in the warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to include Article 9 in the warrant and seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Article 10-MBTA Zoning amendment
Include Article 10 for the purpose of discussion
Include Article 10 for the purpose of discussion. She stated she speaks for all in say the board does not like this and does not like the State forcing items on the Town. Unfortunately, all cases that tried to fight the State with the idea that this was an unfunded mandate were thrown out of court. Mr. 1{[Page Cotter stated that Town Hall needs to speak at some point. It will be discussed at the open hearing on September 23". Mr. Hoffman asked if one location would satisfy the State, and the outside consultant stated it will. Mr. Bott stated this one parcel will suffice. Barrett Planning used GIS to look at this parcel and compared to the compliance model and this parcel does. Mr. Ryan asked what the acreage was and was told it is about 50 acres, and it would be split as a district and a subdistrict of open space. Mr. Cotter asked if there is any preliminary submission that can be done with the State and Mr. Bott stated there was an EOHL submission. Mr. Bott is confident with the work of Barrett Planning
From the minutes
“Motion to include Article 10 was made by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Ms. Hewins for the purpose of discussion. She stated she speaks for all in say the board does not like this and does not like the State forcing items on the Town. Unfortunately, all cases that tried to fight the State with the idea that this was an unfunded mandate were thrown out of court. Mr. 1{[Page Cotter stated that Town Hall needs to speak at some point. It will be discussed at the open hearing on September 23". Mr. Hoffman asked if one location would satisfy the State, and the outside consultant stated it will. Mr. Bott stated this one parcel will suffice. Barrett Planning used GIS to look at this parcel and compared to the compliance model and this parcel does. Mr. Ryan asked what the acreage was and was told it is about 50 acres, and it would be split as a district and a subdistrict of open space. Mr. Cotter asked if there is any preliminary submission that can be done with the State and Mr. Bott stated there was an EOHL submission. Mr. Bott is confident with the work of Barrett Planning. Vote 5 to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Put Article 8 on the warrant
Put Article 8 on the warrant. Chair Townsend read aloud the summary of Article 8 and asked for any questions. Mr. Hoffman asked about the impasse for the last three years. Mr. Moore stated that they are trying to move this along and has brought this forward so the Town can vote on it. Ms. Leighton stated that beginning in 2017 and after that it has always been spoken about being contaminated, though the parcel in question is not. She wants to show this at the Town Meeting as well. Ms. Hewins stated one of the stumbling blocks was that the owner had sued the Planning Board. George Martin is the go-to person at the DEP regarding contaminated sites and there needs to be a clear delineation of where earth removal can occur. Mr. Cotter asked why Earth Removal would not be allowed for a development site. Ms. Hewins stated that it was miss represented that the whole site was contaminated, but it is only one location
From the minutes
“Motion to put Article 8 on the warrant was made by Mr. Ryan and was seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Chair Townsend read aloud the summary of Article 8 and asked for any questions. Mr. Hoffman asked about the impasse for the last three years. Mr. Moore stated that they are trying to move this along and has brought this forward so the Town can vote on it. Ms. Leighton stated that beginning in 2017 and after that it has always been spoken about being contaminated, though the parcel in question is not. She wants to show this at the Town Meeting as well. Ms. Hewins stated one of the stumbling blocks was that the owner had sued the Planning Board. George Martin is the go-to person at the DEP regarding contaminated sites and there needs to be a clear delineation of where earth removal can occur. Mr. Cotter asked why Earth Removal would not be allowed for a development site. Ms. Hewins stated that it was miss represented that the whole site was contaminated, but it is only one location. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
This article to be on the Warrant for Town Meeting
Move this article to be on the Warrant for Town Meeting. Mr. Roche stated the difference in the dollar value was due to parts of the project being included that should not be. There has been a change in depreciation and project life. Mr. Thomas stated this is the first battery storage unit that has been negotiated in Massachusetts. There is only a 30-year life for these units. They met with Mr. McCabe and provided more information. The value of the upgrade of the infrastructure for Eversource cannot be claimed by the PILOT project. Mr. Ryan asked what happened in year 21 if the PILOT is a 20-year PILOT. Mr. Roche stated that the contract can be extended in 5-year increments. Mr. Cotter asked what the real estate componentis, and Mr. Roche stated in 2026 an estimated 2,113,600 year one. Clause 45 switched these funds back to Misc. receipts, though there are talks about it going back into committed revenue, Mr. Thomas does not believe it will change
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to move this article to be on the Warrant for Town Meeting and seconded by Ms. Hewins. Mr. Roche stated the difference in the dollar value was due to parts of the project being included that should not be. There has been a change in depreciation and project life. Mr. Thomas stated this is the first battery storage unit that has been negotiated in Massachusetts. There is only a 30-year life for these units. They met with Mr. McCabe and provided more information. The value of the upgrade of the infrastructure for Eversource cannot be claimed by the PILOT project. Mr. Ryan asked what happened in year 21 if the PILOT is a 20-year PILOT. Mr. Roche stated that the contract can be extended in 5-year increments. Mr. Cotter asked what the real estate componentis, and Mr. Roche stated in 2026 an estimated 2,113,600 year one. Clause 45 switched these funds back to Misc. receipts, though there are talks about it going back into committed revenue, Mr. Thomas does not believe it will change. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Recommend Article 7 to the Town Warrant this motion
Recommend Article 7 to the Town Warrant this motion
From the minutes
“Ms. Hewins made a motion to recommend Article 7 to the Town Warrant and Mr. Ryan seconded this motion. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Ryan)
Place Article 6 on the Warrant, and this
Place Article 6 on the Warrant, and this. Ms. Blanchard was present and spoke about the article and the importance of doing all we can for our Veterans. Voting for this exemption is important. Mr. Cotter asked if the estate is in trust, who monitors if the Veteran passes
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to place Article 6 on the Warrant, and this was seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Ms. Blanchard was present and spoke about the article and the importance of doing all we can for our Veterans. Voting for this exemption is important. Mr. Cotter asked if the estate is in trust, who monitors if the Veteran passes. Vote 5to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Recommend the Article for the Town Warrant
Recommend the Article for the Town Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to recommend the Article for the Town Warrant and was seconded by Ms. Hewins Vote 5to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Recommend the Article for the Town Warrant. Ms. Hewins stated Mr. Cannon sent an email explaining this change. Mr. Cotter asked if there were any other departments of concern and Ms. Preval stated no
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend the Article for the Town Warrant made by Mr. Ryan and was seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Ms. Hewins stated Mr. Cannon sent an email explaining this change. Mr. Cotter asked if there were any other departments of concern and Ms. Preval stated no. Vote 5to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Recommend the Article for the Town Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to recommend the Article for the Town Warrant and was seconded by Ms. Hewins Vote 5to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Place Article 3 on the Warrant
Place Article 3 on the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to place Article 3 on the Warrant, and it was seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote 5to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Recommend Article 3
Recommend Article 3
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to recommend Article 3, and it was seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote 5to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Article 1-Unpaid bills from previous year
Include on the Warrant
Include on the Warrant
From the minutes
“motion to include on the Warrant and it was seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote 5to 0.” (second: Hewins)
Recommend Article 1 for the Warrant
Recommend Article 1 for the Warrant
Yes: Cotter, Hewins, Hoffman, TownsendNo: Ryan
From the minutes
“Ms. Hewins made a motion to recommend Article 1 for the Warrant and seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Vote 4to 1 (opposed by Mr. Ryan until language is updated).” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Not recommend this article for the Town Warrant
Not recommend this article for the Town Warrant
The minutes give only the count (3-2), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to not recommend this article for the Town Warrant by Ms. Hewins was seconded by Mr. Ryan. Vote 3 to 2.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Ryan)
Not to recommend this article for the Warrant
Not to recommend this article for the Warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion not to recommend this article for the Warrant and seconded by Mr. Cotter. Vote 5to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Cotter)
Include Article 11 on the warrant
Include Article 11 on the warrant
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to include Article 11 on the warrant and seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote 5to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Disposal District
Include Article 12 on the warrant
Include Article 12 on the warrant
From the minutes
“Motion to include Article 12 on the warrant was made by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Ratify Clerical union contract
Ratify the Clerical Union contract
Ratify the Clerical Union contract
Yes: Hewins, Hoffman, Ryan, TownsendNo: Cotter
From the minutes
“Motion to Ratify the Clerical Union contract was made by Ms. Hewins and seconded Mr. Ryan Vote: 4to 1 (Mr. Cotter opposed to the vacation time clause and the step increases that could cause problems).” (Motion: Hewins, second: Ryan)
Next Meeting
Adjourn at 7:42 pm
Adjourn at 7:42 pm
From the minutes
“motion to adjourn at 7:42 pm, seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Vote 5to0.” (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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