MassVoter.com← Carver Select Board
Carver Chair
Mark Townsend
Elected townwide · 9 terms in this record
Mark E. Townsend
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2026–2027 Board
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2026–2027 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Townsend 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 Mark Townsend in the headline or opening.
Stories that name Mark Townsend 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 8 of 8 Select Board meetings in 2026–2027 Board.
Missed none.
Every meeting (8)
- Sep 8, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Aug 24, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Aug 4, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jul 7, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 16, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jun 2, 2026 · Regular: Present
- May 19, 2026 · Regular: Present
- May 5, 2026 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2026–2027 Board
Aug 4Approve the State Primary Election Warrant for September 1,…Motion: approve the State Primary Election Warrant for September 1, 2026Passed 3–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
August 4, 2026: Approve the State Primary Election Warrant for September 1, 2026
Approve the State Primary Election Warrant for September 1, 2026
The minutes record the vote as 3-0, but 5 members were present (Mark Townsend, Dan Ryan, John Cotter, Sarah Hewins and Jim Elliman), so it is not clear how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the State Primary Election Warrant for September 1, 2026, was made by Mr. Cotter and seconded by Mr. Elliman. Vote: 3 to 0 (2 recused).” (Motion: Cotter, second: Elliman)
Jul 7Approve the Police Union Memorandum AgreementMotion: approve the Police Union Memorandum AgreementPassed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
July 7, 2026: 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)
Jul 7Accept the donation from Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 of…Motion: accept the donation from Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 of Massachusetts of…Passed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
July 7, 2026: 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…
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)
Jul 7Approve the Select Board Guidelines of ConductMotion: approve the Select Board Guidelines of ConductPassed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
July 7, 2026: 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)
Jul 7Approve the Guidelines for Conducts of Boards and CommitteesMotion: approve the Guidelines for Conducts of Boards and CommitteesPassed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
July 7, 2026: 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)
Jul 7Set the date of December 1, 2026, at 6:30…Motion: set the date of December 1, 2026, at 6:30 pm at…Passed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
July 7, 2026: 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)
Jul 7Open the warrant on July 7, 2026, and to…Motion: open the warrant on July 7, 2026, and to close the…Passed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
July 7, 2026: 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)
Jul 7Approve the request to transfer funds from the Police…Motion: approve the request to transfer funds from the Police Salary and…Passed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
July 7, 2026: 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…
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)
Jul 7Approve the transfer of $14,000 to the Assessing Contract…Motion: approve the transfer of $14,000 to the Assessing Contract Professional Service…Passed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
July 7, 2026: 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)
Jul 7Transfer the $60,000 from the Finance Committee Reserve Fund…Motion: transfer the $60,000 from the Finance Committee Reserve Fund to the…Passed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
July 7, 2026: 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)
Votes with no disagreement (54)
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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