MassVoter.com← Carver Select BoardCarver Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
December 2, 2025
23 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
During the meeting:
- Dan Ryan recused from one or more items (see the notes on the votes).
Every vote, in order
Go into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L., Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation and to M.G.L., Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(2) to discuss contract negotiations with nonunion...
Go into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L., Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation and to M.G.L., Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(2) to discuss contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Chief of Police) and to 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 litigation and to M.G.L., Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(2) to discuss contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (Chief of Police) and to return to open session by Ryan, second by Hoffman. Roll Call: Cotter, Ryan, Townsend, Hoffman, Hewins.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Economic Development Plan Committee appointment
Appoint Roger Shores Jr. to the Economic Development Plan Committee
Appoint Roger Shores Jr. to the Economic Development Plan Committee
From the minutes
“Motion to appoint Roger Shores Jr. to the Economic Development Plan Committee was made by Ms. Hewins and seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Agricultural Commission appointment
Appoint Sharon Miksch to the Agricultural Commission
Appoint Sharon Miksch to the Agricultural Commission
From the minutes
“Motion to appoint Sharon Miksch to the Agricultural Commission was made by Ms. Hewins and seconded by Mr. Cotter. Vote: 5to0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Cotter)
Class Il License Hearing
Open the hearing: Class Il License Hearing
Open the hearing
From the minutes
“Ryan made a motion to open the hearing, seconded by Hoffman : Vote 5 to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Approve the license for internet sales only with no vehicles or transport to be at the residential address, no storage or repair vehicles
Approve the license for internet sales only with no vehicles or transport to be at the residential address, no storage or repair vehicles. And
The minutes give only the count (2-3), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Hoffman made a motion to approve the license for internet sales only with no vehicles or transport to be at the residential address, no storage or repair vehicles. And seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote: 2 to 3 (Motion fails).” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Hewins)
Adjourn the public hearing to adjourn at 7:00 pm
Adjourn the public hearing to adjourn at 7:00 pm
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to adjourn the public hearing and Mr. Hoffman seconded to adjourn at 7:00 pm. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Increase the inspection fees for residential and commercial/industrial effective January 1, 2026
Increase the inspection fees for residential and commercial/industrial effective January 1, 2026
From the minutes
“Motion was made to increase the inspection fees for residential and commercial/industrial effective January 1, 2026, was made by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Ms. Hewins Vote: 5 to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Waive bylaw restriction in sec 7-11 to allow Jim Elliman to serve on both the Finance Committee and the Redevelopment Authority
Waive bylaw restriction in sec 7-11 to allow Jim Elliman to serve on both the Finance Committee and the Redevelopment Authority
Yes: Hewins, Ryan, TownsendNo: Cotter, Hoffman
From the minutes
“Motion was made to waive bylaw restriction in sec 7-11 to allow Jim Elliman to serve on both the Finance Committee and the Redevelopment Authority by Ms. Hewins and seconded by Mr. Ryan. Vote: 3 to 2 (Cotter, Hoffman).” (Motion: Hewins, second: Ryan)
That the Town Administrator work with Town Counsel to make an article for town meeting to vote on the exchange of land
That the Town Administrator work with Town Counsel to make an article for town meeting to vote on the exchange of land
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion that the Town Administrator work with Town Counsel to make an article for town meeting to vote on the exchange of land and seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Approve and have the Select Board Chair sign for the Board
Approve and have the Select Board Chair sign for the Board
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to approve and have the Select Board Chair sign for the Board and was seconded by Mr. Cotter. Vote: 5 to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Cotter)
Tax Classification Hearing
Open the public hearing
Open the public hearing
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to open the public hearing and it was seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
That the Town does not adopt a Residential Exemption
That the Town does not adopt a Residential Exemption
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion that the Town does not adopt a Residential Exemption and was seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote: 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
That the Town does not adopt an Open Space Discount
That the Town does not adopt an Open Space Discount
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion that the Town does not adopt an Open Space Discount and was seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote: 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Small Commercial Exemption
That the Town does not adopt the Small Commercial Exemption
That the Town does not adopt the Small Commercial Exemption
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion that the Town does not adopt the Small Commercial Exemption and was seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
For the Town to adopt the residential factor or.09214
For the Town to adopt the residential factor or.09214
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion for the Town to adopt the residential factor or .09214 and was seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Vote: 5to 0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Close the public hearing at 7:40 pm
Close the public hearing at 7:40 pm
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to close the public hearing at 7:40 pm and was seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Approve the Town Clerk request to increase the fees for vital documents and dog licenses
Approve the Town Clerk request to increase the fees for vital documents and dog licenses
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the Town Clerk request to increase the fees for vital documents and dog licenses was made by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Vote: 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Not exercise the Boards right of approval
Not exercise the Boards right of approval
The minutes give only the count (3-1), not how each member voted. Dan Ryan recused and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Mr. Cotter made a motion to not exercise the Boards right of approval and was seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Vote 3to 1.” (Motion: Cotter, second: Hoffman)
Approval of Alcoholic and Beverage Control Commission seasonal population
Approve the Alcoholic and Beverage Control Commission seasonal population of 11,645
Approve the Alcoholic and Beverage Control Commission seasonal population of 11,645
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve the Alcoholic and Beverage Control Commission seasonal population of 11,645 by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Mr. Hoffman. Vote: 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Approve the 2026 licenses as attached for Common Victualler, Entertainment, Sunday Entertainment, Automatic Amusement, Liquor, Wine and Malt, Class |, Il, lil and Commercial Garage all contingent...
Approve the 2026 licenses as attached for Common Victualler, Entertainment, Sunday Entertainment, Automatic Amusement, Liquor, Wine and Malt, Class |, Il, lil and Commercial Garage all contingent on the taxes being paid. For Entertainment approval is contingent upon inspection by Fire and Building Commissioner
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the 2026 licenses as attached for Common Victualler, Entertainment, Sunday Entertainment, Automatic Amusement, Liquor, Wine and Malt, Class |, Il, lil and Commercial Garage was made by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Ms. Hewins all contingent on the taxes being paid. For Entertainment approval is contingent upon inspection by Fire and Building Commissioner. Vote: 5to0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Approval of Meeting Minutes from November 4, 2025
Approve the Select Board meeting minutes from November 4, 2025
Approve the Select Board meeting minutes from November 4, 2025
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the Select Board meeting minutes from November 4, 2025, was made by Mr. Hoffman and seconded by Mr. Ryan. Vote: 5to0.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Ryan)
Approval of the Executive Session Mee ting Minutes from November 4", not for release
Approve the Executive Session meeting minutes, not for release
Approve the Executive Session meeting minutes, not for release
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the Executive Session meeting minutes, not for release was made by Mr. Hoffman and seconded by Mr. Ryan. Vote: 5 to 0.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Ryan)
Next Meeting
Adjourn at 8:39 pm
Adjourn at 8:39 pm
From the minutes
“Mr. Hoffman made a motion to adjourn at 8:39 pm, seconded by Mr. Ryan. Vote 5to0.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Ryan)
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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