MassVoter.com← Carver Select BoardCarver Member
John Cotter
Elected townwide · 5 terms in this record
John J. Cotter
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2023–2024 Board
On split votes, Cotter voted the same way as…
- Jim Hoffman50% (5 of 10)
- Mark Townsend36% (4 of 11)
- Sarah Hewins9% (1 of 11)
- Dan Ryan8% (1 of 12)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2023–2024 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Cotter as present or absent at the start.
- Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
- Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
- “Whole board” combines every member’s record for the same term.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.
In the news
No recent stories found that name John Cotter in the headline or opening.
Stories that name John Cotter in the headline or opening, newest first, from 25 free news outlets (see the list). Headlines appear as each outlet published them; MassVoter does not write, choose or rate them. Only stories that are free to read are listed.
Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Attendance
At the start of 27 of 27 Select Board meetings in 2023–2024 Board.
Missed none.
Every meeting (27)
- Apr 23, 2024 · Regular: Present (John Cotter left the meeting at 5:40pm.)
- Apr 22, 2024 · Joint: Present
- Apr 16, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Apr 9, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Apr 2, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Mar 28, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Mar 19, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Mar 5, 2024 · Regular: Present (John Cotter recused from one or more items (see the notes on the votes).)
- Feb 27, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Feb 26, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Feb 6, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Jan 25, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Jan 18, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Dec 19, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Dec 11, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Nov 21, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Nov 7, 2023 · Joint: Present
- Oct 17, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Oct 10, 2023 · Joint: Present
- Oct 6, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Aug 15, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Aug 3, 2023 · Regular: Present (John Cotter recused from one or more items (see the notes on the votes).)
- Jul 13, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 26, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 6, 2023 · Regular: Present (John Cotter recused from one or more items (see the notes on the votes).)
- May 16, 2023 · Regular: Present
- May 2, 2023 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2023–2024 Board
Apr 23Ratify the Town Administrator ContractMotion: ratify the Town Administrator ContractPassed Unanimous, 4 present · Cotter: Not recorded
April 23, 2024: Ratify the Town Administrator Contract
Ratify the Town Administrator Contract
John Cotter had left the meeting.
From the minutes
“Motion to ratify the Town Administrator Contract by Ryan, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Apr 23Appoint Adam Lauzon, Michael Jones and Sean Kelleher to…Motion: appoint Adam Lauzon, Michael Jones and Sean Kelleher to the Avenues…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Cotter: Not recorded
April 23, 2024: Appoint Adam Lauzon, Michael Jones and Sean Kelleher to the Avenues of Honor Committees
Appoint Adam Lauzon, Michael Jones and Sean Kelleher to the Avenues of Honor Committees
John Cotter had left the meeting.
From the minutes
“Motion to appoint Adam Lauzon, Michael Jones and Sean Kelleher to the Avenues of Honor Committees by Ryan, second by Hewins. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Apr 23Approve the Southern Plymouth County Public Health Excellence Collaborative…Motion: approve the Southern Plymouth County Public Health Excellence Collaborative Inter-Municipal AgreementPassed Unanimous, 4 present · Cotter: Not recorded
April 23, 2024: Approve the Southern Plymouth County Public Health Excellence Collaborative Inter-Municipal Agreement
Approve the Southern Plymouth County Public Health Excellence Collaborative Inter-Municipal Agreement
John Cotter had left the meeting.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the Southern Plymouth County Public Health Excellence Collaborative Inter-Municipal Agreement by Ryan, second by Hewins. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Apr 23Approve the Exterior Drop box for Election ballots in…Motion: approve the Exterior Drop box for Election ballots in the amount…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Cotter: Not recorded
April 23, 2024: Approve the Exterior Drop box for Election ballots in the amount of $4,780.25
Approve the Exterior Drop box for Election ballots in the amount of $4,780.25
John Cotter had left the meeting.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the Exterior Drop box for Election ballots in the amount of $4,780.25 by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Apr 23Approve the Computer tablets in the amount of $12,910.72Motion: approve the Computer tablets in the amount of $12,910.72Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Cotter: Not recorded
April 23, 2024: Approve the Computer tablets in the amount of $12,910.72
Approve the Computer tablets in the amount of $12,910.72
John Cotter had left the meeting.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the Computer tablets in the amount of $12,910.72 by Ryan, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Apr 23Approve the portable smartboard in the amount of $4,031.91.00Motion: approve the portable smartboard in the amount of $4,031.91.00Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Cotter: Not recorded
April 23, 2024: Approve the portable smartboard in the amount of $4,031.91.00
Approve the portable smartboard in the amount of $4,031.91.00
John Cotter had left the meeting.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the portable smartboard in the amount of $4,031.91.00 by Hewins, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hewins, second: Hoffman)
Apr 23$250,000 from the general fund to the Health Insurance…Motion: move $250,000 from the general fund to the Health Insurance Reserve…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Cotter: Not recorded
April 23, 2024: $250,000 from the general fund to the Health Insurance Reserve Fund
Move $250,000 from the general fund to the Health Insurance Reserve Fund
John Cotter had left the meeting.
From the minutes
“Motion to move $250,000 from the general fund to the Health Insurance Reserve Fund by Ryan, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hoffman)
Apr 23$490,166.00 from the general to the Capital Debt Stabilization…Motion: move $490,166.00 from the general to the Capital Debt Stabilization fund.…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Cotter: Not recorded
April 23, 2024: $490,166.00 from the general to the Capital Debt Stabilization fund
Move $490,166.00 from the general to the Capital Debt Stabilization fund. Each year, these amounts have been rolled over to their current account and now they will be rolled over to their correct accounts
John Cotter had left the meeting.
From the minutes
“Motion to move $490,166.00 from the general to the Capital Debt Stabilization fund by Ryan, second by Hewins. Each year, these amounts have been rolled over to their current account and now they will be rolled over to their correct accounts. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Apr 23Place this article on the warrantMotion: place this article on the warrantPassed Unanimous, 4 present · Cotter: Not recorded
April 23, 2024: Place this article on the warrant
Place this article on the warrant
John Cotter had left the meeting.
From the minutes
“Motion to place this article on the warrant by Ryan, second by Hewins. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hewins)
Apr 23Recommend this article: Enterprise fundMotion: recommend this articlePassed Unanimous, 4 present · Cotter: Not recorded
April 23, 2024: Recommend this article: Enterprise fund
Recommend this article
John Cotter had left the meeting.
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend this article by Hoffman, second by Hewins. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Hewins)
Votes with no disagreement (148)
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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