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 · 2018–2019 Board
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2018–2019 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 20 of 20 Select Board meetings in 2018–2019 Board.
Missed none.
Every meeting (20)
- Apr 16, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Apr 11, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Apr 8, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Apr 2, 2019 · Joint: Present (Mark Townsend left the table for part of the meeting (see the notes on the votes).)
- Mar 19, 2019 · Joint: Present (Mark Townsend left the table for part of the meeting (see the notes on the votes).)
- Mar 5, 2019 · Joint: Present
- Feb 19, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 5, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 28, 2019 · Joint: Present
- Jan 15, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Dec 4, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Nov 20, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 18, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 2, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Sep 25, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Sep 18, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Aug 24, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jul 31, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jun 26, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 15, 2018 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2018–2019 Board
Apr 16Appoint Stephen Cole and Bruce MakiMotion: appoint Stephen Cole and Bruce MakiPassed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
April 16, 2019: Appoint Stephen Cole and Bruce Maki
Appoint Stephen Cole and Bruce Maki
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Ronald Clarke, Dave Robertson, Sarah Hewins and Mark Townsend), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Alan Dunham made the motion, but Alan Dunham is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to appoint Stephen Cole and Bruce Maki made by Dunham, second by Robertson. Vote 5-0.” (second: Robertson)
Apr 16Recommend to vote on it as writtenMotion: recommend to vote on it as writtenPassed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
April 16, 2019: Recommend to vote on it as written
Recommend to vote on it as written
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Ronald Clarke, Dave Robertson, Sarah Hewins and Mark Townsend), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Alan Dunham made the motion, but Alan Dunham is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend to vote on it as written by Dunham, second by Robertson. Vote 5-0.” (second: Robertson)
Apr 16Relative to this recommendation for discussion only: Dunham: Feels…Motion: relative to this recommendation for discussion only: Dunham: Feels that striking…Failed 2–3 · Townsend: Not recorded
April 16, 2019: Relative to this recommendation for discussion only: Dunham: Feels that striking that language would be taking away the residents prior votes Clarke: Believes that the residents at Town Meeting...
Relative to this recommendation for discussion only: Dunham: Feels that striking that language would be taking away the residents prior votes Clarke: Believes that the residents at Town Meeting will be making the decisions, leaving the wording could condemn the station being built where the playground is currently Townsend: Residents at Town Meeting will have the opportunity to vote on this Hewins: Agrees with Dunham to leave the wording in, a promise was made to the residents Robertson: Feels the wording should stay in, he made a prior promise to the residents Clarke: Believes it makes a huge difference to have Town Meeting make this decision Vote to Strike the last line -
The minutes give the count (2-3) and name Ronald Clarke and Mark Townsend, but the names and the count do not match the members present (4 members were present), so individual votes are not shown. The minutes say Alan Dunham seconded it, but Alan Dunham is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion relative to this recommendation by Townsend, second by Dunham for discussion only: Dunham: Feels that striking that language would be taking away the residents prior votes Clarke: Believes that the residents at Town Meeting will be making the decisions, leaving the wording could condemn the station being built where the playground is currently Townsend: Residents at Town Meeting will have the opportunity to vote on this Hewins: Agrees with Dunham to leave the wording in, a promise was made to the residents Robertson: Feels the wording should stay in, he made a prior promise to the residents Clarke: Believes it makes a huge difference to have Town Meeting make this decision Vote to Strike the last line - VOTE 2-3 (Clarke & Townsend for).” (Motion: Townsend)
Apr 16No action takenMotion: no action takenPassed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
April 16, 2019: No action taken
No action taken
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Ronald Clarke, Dave Robertson, Sarah Hewins and Mark Townsend), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Alan Dunham made the motion, but Alan Dunham is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion no action taken by Dunham, second by Townsend. VOTE 5-0.” (second: Townsend)
Apr 16For discussion onlyMotion: for discussion onlyPassed 3–2 · Townsend: Not recorded
April 16, 2019: For discussion only
For discussion only
The minutes give the count (3-2) and name Alan Dunham and Mark Townsend, but the names and the count do not match the members present (Alan Dunham is not on the attendance list for this vote; 4 members were present), so individual votes are not shown.
From the minutes
“Motion by Robertson, second by Townsend for discussion only. VOTE 3-2 (Opposed Dunham & Townsend).” (Motion: Robertson, second: Townsend)
Apr 16K-P LawMotion: (The minutes do not give the wording of the motion.)Passed 4–1 · Townsend: Not recorded
April 16, 2019: K-P Law
(The minutes do not give the wording of the motion.)
The minutes give the count (4-1) and name Sarah Hewins, but the names and the count do not match the members present (4 members were present), so individual votes are not shown. The minutes do not give the wording of this motion; the title is the agenda item it was made under. The minutes say Alan Dunham seconded it, but Alan Dunham is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion by Townsend, second by Dunham. VOTE 4-1 (Hewins opposed).” (Motion: Townsend)
Apr 16Table: Approval of Town of Carver Cyber Use PolicyMotion: tablePassed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
April 16, 2019: Table: Approval of Town of Carver Cyber Use Policy
Table
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Ronald Clarke, Dave Robertson, Sarah Hewins and Mark Townsend), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Alan Dunham made the motion, but Alan Dunham is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to table by Dunham, second by Robertson. VOTE 5-0.” (second: Robertson)
Apr 16Approve: Approval of Town of Carver Cyber Use PolicyMotion: approvePassed 5–0 · Townsend: Not recorded
April 16, 2019: Approve: Approval of Town of Carver Cyber Use Policy
Approve
The minutes record the vote as 5-0, but 4 members were present (Ronald Clarke, Dave Robertson, Sarah Hewins and Mark Townsend), so it is not clear how each member voted. The minutes say Alan Dunham made the motion, but Alan Dunham is not on the attendance list for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve by Dunham, second by Townsend. VOTE 5-0.” (second: Townsend)
Apr 8Approve proposed changesMotion: approve proposed changes. Hewins asked how many homes would be affected…Passed 3–1 · Townsend: Not recorded
April 8, 2019: Approve proposed changes
Approve proposed changes. Hewins asked how many homes would be affected by this bylaw. Hewins also asked what if someone needs a new roof but can't afford on. Hewins noted that we're an agricultural town and lots of old vehicles and machinery are used by farmers for parts. She also said One man's treasure is another man's trash. Hewins is not in agreement with the entire by-law since it may set up the town for potential lawsuits and it is up to a judgement call as well as depending on who is in the role of making the decisions. Dunham agreed
The minutes give only the count (3-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve proposed changes by Dunham, second by Townsend. Hewins asked how many homes would be affected by this bylaw. Hewins also asked what if someone needs a new roof but can't afford on. Hewins noted that we're an agricultural town and lots of old vehicles and machinery are used by farmers for parts. She also said One man's treasure is another man's trash. Hewins is not in agreement with the entire by-law since it may set up the town for potential lawsuits and it is up to a judgement call as well as depending on who is in the role of making the decisions. Dunham agreed. Vote 3-1.” (Motion: Dunham, second: Townsend)
Apr 2Approve the declinationMotion: approve the declinationPassed Unanimous, 4 present · Townsend: Not recorded
April 2, 2019 (Joint meeting): Approve the declination
Approve the declination
Mark Townsend had left the table.
From the minutes
“Motion by Hewins to approve the declination, second by Dunham. Vote 4-0..” (Motion: Hewins, second: Dunham)
Votes with no disagreement (150)
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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