MassVoter.com← Carver Select Board
Carver Member
Sarah Hewins
Elected townwide · 10 terms in this record
Sarah G. Hewins
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2020–2021 Board
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2020–2021 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Hewins 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
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Attendance
At the start of 27 of 27 Select Board meetings in 2020–2021 Board.
Missed none.
Every meeting (27)
- Apr 20, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Apr 6, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Mar 24, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Mar 16, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Mar 10, 2021 · Joint: Present
- Mar 2, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Feb 16, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Feb 2, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jan 19, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jan 5, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Dec 15, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Dec 4, 2020 · Joint: Present
- Nov 17, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Nov 5, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Oct 22, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Oct 15, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Oct 6, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Sep 30, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Sep 24, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Sep 21, 2020 · Joint: Present
- Sep 18, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Sep 8, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Aug 21, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Aug 4, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Jul 7, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Jun 29, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Jun 16, 2020 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2020–2021 Board
Apr 6Exercise first right of refusalMotion: exercise first right of refusal. Belbin questioned the Town's time frame…Passed 3–2 · Hewins: Not recorded
April 6, 2021: Exercise first right of refusal
Exercise first right of refusal. Belbin questioned the Town's time frame on exercising its first right of refusal. Medeiros stated the town has 30 day to exercise its right for appraisal and 120 days for the first right of refusal. The application was received in March 9th. Belbin would like to see the property appraised. Hewins stated if this is something the Board is interested in looking at, she does not want it to be decided spur of the moment, but rather to see if it is on the Open Space and Recreation Plan, etc. Belbin stated it was received by the Board a few days ago in their packets. Hewins stated an alternative is to study the Open Space & Recreation Plan and to find out what the best location would be to place affordable housing. Hoffman asked if that process was taken by the Department Heads who made the recommendation. Hewins stated it is her understanding that is the process, as that was the process when she was the Conservation Agent. LaFond added that funds would need to be on hand to do an appraisal and if the Board would like a different process, that is fine, but the professional staff provide a recommendation. Hewins stated she would prefer affordable housing units not be singled out as people would know which houses they were. Belbin stated everyone knows about Mazilli Way- it was highly publicized. Townsend stated he would like to see a representative of Town personnel at future meetings
The minutes give only the count (3-2), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to exercise first right of refusal by Hoffman 2nd by Townsend. Belbin questioned the Town's time frame on exercising its first right of refusal. Medeiros stated the town has 30 day to exercise its right for appraisal and 120 days for the first right of refusal. The application was received in March 9th. Belbin would like to see the property appraised. Hewins stated if this is something the Board is interested in looking at, she does not want it to be decided spur of the moment, but rather to see if it is on the Open Space and Recreation Plan, etc. Belbin stated it was received by the Board a few days ago in their packets. Hewins stated an alternative is to study the Open Space & Recreation Plan and to find out what the best location would be to place affordable housing. Hoffman asked if that process was taken by the Department Heads who made the recommendation. Hewins stated it is her understanding that is the process, as that was the process when she was the Conservation Agent. LaFond added that funds would need to be on hand to do an appraisal and if the Board would like a different process, that is fine, but the professional staff provide a recommendation. Hewins stated she would prefer affordable housing units not be singled out as people would know which houses they were. Belbin stated everyone knows about Mazilli Way- it was highly publicized. Townsend stated he would like to see a representative of Town personnel at future meetings. Vote 3-2.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Townsend)
Apr 6Recommend: Article #6 Capital Improvement BudgetMotion: recommendPassed 4–1 · Hewins: Not recorded
April 6, 2021: Recommend: Article #6 Capital Improvement Budget
Recommend
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Townsend, second by Belbin. Vote 4-1.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Belbin)
Apr 6RecommendMotion: recommendFailed 0–5 · Hewins: No
April 6, 2021: Recommend
Recommend
Voted: No
No: Belbin, Bogart, Hewins, Hoffman, Townsend
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Belbin, second by Hoffman Vote 0-5.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Apr 6Recommend: Article #20- Large-Scale ground mounted solarMotion: recommendPassed 4–1 · Hewins: Not recorded
April 6, 2021: Recommend: Article #20- Large-Scale ground mounted solar
Recommend
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Townsend, second by Hoffman. Vote 4-1.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Mar 16Accept the bylaw as presented and to recommend to…Motion: accept the bylaw as presented and to recommend to Annual Town…Passed 4–1 · Hewins: Not recorded
March 16, 2021: Accept the bylaw as presented and to recommend to Annual Town Meeting
Accept the bylaw as presented and to recommend to Annual Town Meeting. Belbin would like to clarify that this bylaw allows agriculture on their property, but it does not allow the regular resident to do maintenance on their property without permission from the Commission first. Hewins stated that there is an agricultural exemption in state law. Bogart stated that the destruction of shrubs, flowers or grasses is really specific and this may cause a lot of traffic to come to the Conservation Commission. Moore stated if there is an existing lawn, it can be reseeded, if it is a forest and they are asking to reseed the lawn then they will look into that. Bogart questioned what percentage of variances are granted. Moore stated that they don't have many requests for variances and every case is different. Belbin would like to see wording in the bylaw that residents don't have to go to the Conservation Commission and have the Board vote, but rather submit a letter of intention. Moore stated that almost every situation starts as an informal discussion with the Commission. If there is a tree that is a threat to your home, it will be approved, but if you want to remove shrubs next to a bog and replace them with something else, this disrupts the nutrients in the soil. The intent is to protect the wetlands and to keep the water clean as well as the surrounding 100'
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Hoffman to accept the bylaw as presented and to recommend to Annual Town Meeting, second by Townsend. Belbin would like to clarify that this bylaw allows agriculture on their property, but it does not allow the regular resident to do maintenance on their property without permission from the Commission first. Hewins stated that there is an agricultural exemption in state law. Bogart stated that the destruction of shrubs, flowers or grasses is really specific and this may cause a lot of traffic to come to the Conservation Commission. Moore stated if there is an existing lawn, it can be reseeded, if it is a forest and they are asking to reseed the lawn then they will look into that. Bogart questioned what percentage of variances are granted. Moore stated that they don't have many requests for variances and every case is different. Belbin would like to see wording in the bylaw that residents don't have to go to the Conservation Commission and have the Board vote, but rather submit a letter of intention. Moore stated that almost every situation starts as an informal discussion with the Commission. If there is a tree that is a threat to your home, it will be approved, but if you want to remove shrubs next to a bog and replace them with something else, this disrupts the nutrients in the soil. The intent is to protect the wetlands and to keep the water clean as well as the surrounding 100'. Vote 4-1.” (Motion: Hoffman, second: Townsend)
Mar 16Recommend: Permit conditionsMotion: recommend. Bogart stated that the solar revisions later in the warrant…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · Hewins: Yes
March 16, 2021: Recommend: Permit conditions
Recommend. Bogart stated that the solar revisions later in the warrant has wording very similar to this
Voted: Yes
Mark Townsend recused and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to recommend by Belbin, second by Hoffman. Bogart stated that the solar revisions later in the warrant has wording very similar to this. Vote 4-0.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Mar 2Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Carver Police…Motion: approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Carver Police Union and…Passed 4–0 · Hewins: Yes
March 2, 2021: Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Carver Police Union and the Town of Carver
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Carver Police Union and the Town of Carver
Voted: Yes
Yes: Belbin, Hewins, Hoffman, TownsendAbstained: Bogart
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Carver Police Union and the Town of Carver by Belbin second by Townsend Vote 4-0-1 (Bogart abstained).” (Motion: Belbin, second: Townsend)
Feb 2Decline the Town's first right of purchaseMotion: decline the Town's first right of purchasePassed 3–2 · Hewins: Not recorded
February 2, 2021: Decline the Town's first right of purchase
Decline the Town's first right of purchase
The minutes give only the count (3-2), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to decline the Town's first right of purchase by Townsend, second by Hoffman Vote 3-2.” (Motion: Townsend, second: Hoffman)
Jan 19Change the wording of 1.1.1 to say.."in the month…Motion: change the wording of 1.1.1 to say.."in the month of April,…Failed 2–3 · Hewins: Not recorded
January 19, 2021: Change the wording of 1.1.1 to say.."in the month of April, May or June on a day to be set by the Select Board". Belbin stated if no one comes…
Change the wording of 1.1.1 to say.."in the month of April, May or June on a day to be set by the Select Board". Belbin stated if no one comes forward that wants to talk about it, than it is a dead issue. If each change is being taken one a time, he would need to do that with his proposed changes. Hewins stated Bogarts proposed change is not conduct related
The minutes give only the count (2-3), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Bogart to change the wording of 1.1.1 to say .."in the month of April, May or June on a day to be set by the Select Board", second by Belbin. Belbin stated if no one comes forward that wants to talk about it, than it is a dead issue. If each change is being taken one a time, he would need to do that with his proposed changes. Hewins stated Bogarts proposed change is not conduct related. Vote 2-3.” (Motion: Bogart, second: Belbin)
Jan 5Appoint Meagher to the RDAMotion: appoint Meagher to the RDAPassed 4–1 · Hewins: Yes
January 5, 2021: Appoint Meagher to the RDA
Appoint Meagher to the RDA
Voted: Yes
Yes: Belbin, Hewins, Hoffman, TownsendNo: Bogart
From the minutes
“Motion by Belbin to appoint Meagher to the RDA, second by Hoffman. Roll Call: Affirmative: Belbin, Hoffman, Townsend, Hewins Negative: Bogart.” (Motion: Belbin, second: Hoffman)
Votes with no disagreement (144)
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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