MassVoter.com← Carver Select BoardCarver Select Board · 2026–2027 Board · Regular meeting
July 7, 2026
18 recorded votes, 18 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins, Jim Elliman
Absent: Dan Ryan
Every vote, in order
Go into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L., Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(2) to discuss contract negotiations with non-union personnel (Town Administrator), MGL Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(3) to discuss contract...
Go into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L., Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(2) to discuss contract negotiations with non-union personnel (Town Administrator), MGL Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(3) to discuss contract negotiations with union personnel (Police) and MGL Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(6) to consider purchase, lease, or value of real estate (119 Main Street), MGL Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(3) to discuss litigation (115 Main Street) if the chair declares that an open meeting may have detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body
The roll call lists Dan Ryan, but the minutes show this member as not taking part (Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list). Individual votes are not shown. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L., Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(2) to discuss contract negotiations with non-union personnel (Town Administrator), MGL Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(3) to discuss contract negotiations with union personnel (Police) and MGL Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(6) to consider purchase, lease, or value of real estate (119 Main Street), MGL Ch. 30A, 21 (a)(3) to discuss litigation (115 Main Street) if the chair declares that an open meeting may have detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body by Ryan, second by Cotter. Roll Call: affirmative - Cotter, Ryan, Townsend, Hewins, Elliman.” (second: Cotter)
Citizens Participation
Approve the Police Union Memorandum Agreement
Approve the Police Union Memorandum Agreement
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the Police Union Memorandum Agreement was made by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote: 5 to 0.” (second: Hewins)
Accept the donation from Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 of Massachusetts of the Missing Man Table and Chair in remembrance of all veterans who are POW/MIA to be placed in the town hall
Accept the donation from Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 of Massachusetts of the Missing Man Table and Chair in remembrance of all veterans who are POW/MIA to be placed in the town hall
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to accept the donation from Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 of Massachusetts of the Missing Man Table and Chair in remembrance of all veterans who are POW/MIA to be placed in the town hall was made by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote: 5 to 0.” (second: Hewins)
Approve the Select Board Guidelines of Conduct
Approve the Select Board Guidelines of Conduct
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan seconded it, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Ms. Hewins made a motion to approve the Select Board Guidelines of Conduct and was seconded by Mr. Ryan. Vote: 5 to 0.” (Motion: Hewins)
Approve the Guidelines for Conducts of Boards and Committees
Approve the Guidelines for Conducts of Boards and Committees
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to approve the Guidelines for Conducts of Boards and Committees and was seconded by Ms. Hewins. Vote 5 to 0.” (second: Hewins)
Deadline for submission of Articles
Set the date of December 1, 2026, at 6:30 pm at the CMHS for the next special town meeting
Set the date of December 1, 2026, at 6:30 pm at the CMHS for the next special town meeting
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to set the date of December 1, 2026, at 6:30 pm at the CMHS for the next special town meeting and was seconded by Mr. Cotter. Vote: 5 to 0.” (second: Cotter)
Open the warrant on July 7, 2026, and to close the warrant on October 7, 2026, at 4:00 pm
Open the warrant on July 7, 2026, and to close the warrant on October 7, 2026, at 4:00 pm
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to open the warrant on July 7, 2026, and to close the warrant on October 7, 2026, at 4:00 pm and was seconded by Mr. Cotter. Vote: 5 to 0.” (second: Cotter)
Approve the request to transfer funds from the Police Salary and Wages budget to the Equipment budget within the Police Department budget for the protection and safety of the department and the public
Approve the request to transfer funds from the Police Salary and Wages budget to the Equipment budget within the Police Department budget for the protection and safety of the department and the public. Select Board
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve the request to transfer funds from the Police Salary and Wages budget to the Equipment budget within the Police Department budget for the protection and safety of the department and the public by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Ms. Hewins. Select Board Vote: 5 to 0.” (second: Hewins)
Approve the transfer of $14,000 to the Assessing Contract Professional Service from the Selectboard Salary and Wages and $10,820 from Assing Salary and Wages
Approve the transfer of $14,000 to the Assessing Contract Professional Service from the Selectboard Salary and Wages and $10,820 from Assing Salary and Wages. Select Board
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan seconded it, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve the transfer of $14,000 to the Assessing Contract Professional Service from the Selectboard Salary and Wages and $10,820 from Assing Salary and Wages by Ms. Hewins and seconded by Mr. Ryan. Select Board Vote: 5 to 0.” (Motion: Hewins)
Transfer the $60,000 from the Finance Committee Reserve Fund to the Utilities
Transfer the $60,000 from the Finance Committee Reserve Fund to the Utilities. Select Board
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan seconded it, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Ms. Hewins made a motion to transfer the $60,000 from the Finance Committee Reserve Fund to the Utilities and was seconded by Mr. Ryan. Select Board Vote: 5 to 0.” (Motion: Hewins)
Approve the transfer of $80,000 from the Finance Committee reserve fund to the Legal Expense appropriation
Approve the transfer of $80,000 from the Finance Committee reserve fund to the Legal Expense appropriation. Select Board
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan seconded it, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve the transfer of $80,000 from the Finance Committee reserve fund to the Legal Expense appropriation by Ms. Hewins and seconded by Mr. Ryan. Select Board Vote: 5 to 0.” (Motion: Hewins)
Approve the transfer of $5,000 from the Accounting Salary and Wages to the Treasurer/Collectors expense fund
Approve the transfer of $5,000 from the Accounting Salary and Wages to the Treasurer/Collectors expense fund. Select Board
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve the transfer of $5,000 from the Accounting Salary and Wages to the Treasurer/Collectors expense fund by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Ms. Hewins. Select Board Vote: 5 to 0.” (second: Hewins)
Approve the transfer of $3,502 from the Board of Health expenses to the Board of Health Salary and Wages
Approve the transfer of $3,502 from the Board of Health expenses to the Board of Health Salary and Wages. Select Board
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan seconded it, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve the transfer of $3,502 from the Board of Health expenses to the Board of Health Salary and Wages by Ms. Hewins and seconded by Mr. Ryan. Select Board Vote: 5 to 0.” (Motion: Hewins)
Transfer $35,145 from the Debt Service Expenses to the Landfill and Engineering Expenses to cover amendments to the existing contract
Transfer $35,145 from the Debt Service Expenses to the Landfill and Engineering Expenses to cover amendments to the existing contract. Select Board
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan seconded it, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to transfer $35,145 from the Debt Service Expenses to the Landfill and Engineering Expenses to cover amendments to the existing contract was made by Ms. Hewins and seconded by Mr. Ryan. Select Board Vote: 5 to 0.” (Motion: Hewins)
Approve the Select Board Meeting minutes from June 16, 2026
Approve the Select Board Meeting minutes from June 16, 2026
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve the Select Board Meeting minutes from June 16, 2026, was made by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Mr. Cotter. Vote: 5 to 0.” (second: Cotter)
Approve the Select Board Executive Session Meeting minutes from June 16, 2026, not for release
Approve the Select Board Executive Session Meeting minutes from June 16, 2026, not for release
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve the Select Board Executive Session Meeting minutes from June 16, 2026, not for release was made by Mr. Ryan and seconded by Mr. Cotter. Vote: 5 to 0.” (second: Cotter)
Approve the use of Shurtleff Park by the Carver Sportsman's Club to distribute political signs on July 18, 2026, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Approve the use of Shurtleff Park by the Carver Sportsman's Club to distribute political signs on July 18, 2026, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to approve the use of Shurtleff Park by the Carver Sportsman's Club to distribute political signs on July 18, 2026, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and was seconded by Mr. Cotter. Vote: 5 to 0.” (second: Cotter)
Next Meeting
Adjourn at 8:25 pm and return to executive session
Adjourn at 8:25 pm and return to executive session
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Mark Townsend, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Dan Ryan made the motion, but Dan Ryan is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Mr. Ryan made a motion to adjourn at 8:25 pm and return to executive session and was seconded by Mr. Cotter. Vote 5 to 0.” (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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