How the Chatham Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Same five members; the 2020 town election was moved to June 22 because of COVID-19, and Shareen Davis was re-elected. At its reorganization on June 26, 2020 the board re-elected Shareen Davis Chair and Peter Cocolis Vice Chair, and elected Cory Metters Clerk. The board’s name changed from Board of Selectmen to Select Board during this term. Covers 49 meetings, June 26 to June 15, 2021.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
In Chatham, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.
Annual Town Meeting · May 10, 2025 59 votes: 51 passed, 4 failed, 4 no action
Art. 1Annual Town Election (officers elected by ballot)No action“NO MOTION”
Art. 2Authorize appointment of officers and accept annual reportsPassed“So Voted Unanimously.”
Art. 3FY2025 budget adjustments: transfer $378,200, including $316,200 from free cash to the Affordable Housing TrustPassed“So Voted Unanimously.”
Not here yet: the May 11, 2026 Annual Town Meeting (the Town Clerk's minutes are not posted yet; only an unofficial scorecard is online).
Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).
"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: 398 meetings from January 8, 2018 to September 15, 2026, with 4,081 votes, from the board’s official minutes on mytowngovernment.org/02633, the town’s minutes site. Not online: 21 meetings since January 2018 with no usable minutes online: for 8 the site says the minutes are “on record with the Town Clerk” (paper only), and for 13 the posted file is empty, belongs to another town or board, or is an attachment rather than the minutes. MassVoter is asking the Town Clerk for these. Released minutes of closed (executive) sessions are loaded as their own Special meetings in 5 cases: where they are the only minutes for that date (December 10, 2018; January 5, 2021; July 5, 2023) and the two sessions on the Town Manager’s contract (January 13 and February 17, 2026). At joint meetings only the Select Board’s own votes are shown; votes of the other board, including the Affordable Housing Trust trustees, are left out. How votes were read: Chatham’s minutes give each motion with its mover and seconder, then either a count (“Vote: 5-0”, sometimes naming who voted no or abstained) or, since 2020, a roll call with each member’s vote. A roll call, or a count that adds up to the members present with any no votes or abstentions named, shows each member’s vote (98% of votes). A count that does not add up, or does not say who voted no, is shown as a count only. Choices between nominees (each member names a person) show the result only, with the roll call quoted in the note. Members and officers for each year come from the board’s reorganization minutes. Discussion settled “by consensus”, without a vote, is not shown as a vote. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote. On October 7, 2026 the Town Clerk’s office answered our questions about roll calls that did not match the members present (public records request #26-297): name typos, an attendance line that was not updated, roll calls with no votes written in, and the joint Affordable Housing Trust votes. The 24 votes affected now show each member’s vote, with the answer quoted in the vote’s note. Thank you to the Chatham Town Clerk’s office for its help.
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Jun 15Grant a One Day Entertainment Permit to Theresa Malone…Motion: to grant a One Day Entertainment Permit to Theresa Malone on…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
June 15, 2021: Grant a One Day Entertainment Permit to Theresa Malone on behalf of Monomoy Community Services for Friday, June 18, 2021 for outdoor amplified music from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.…
ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present
To grant a One Day Entertainment Permit to Theresa Malone on behalf of Monomoy Community Services for Friday, June 18, 2021 for outdoor amplified music from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Hardings Beach
Cory Metters stepped aside (recused).
From the minutes
“Motion: by Jeffrey Dykens to grant a One Day Entertainment Permit to Theresa Malone on behalf of Monomoy Community Services for Friday, June 18, 2021 for outdoor amplified music from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Hardings Beach. Second: by Peter Cocolis. Vote: 4-0-0.” (Motion: Dykens, second: Cocolis)
Jun 15Grant permission for food vendors contracted by Monomoy Community…Motion: to grant permission for food vendors contracted by Monomoy Community Services…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
June 15, 2021: Grant permission for food vendors contracted by Monomoy Community Services to vend at Hardings Beach on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m
ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present
To grant permission for food vendors contracted by Monomoy Community Services to vend at Hardings Beach on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m
Cory Metters stepped aside (recused).
From the minutes
“Motion: by Jeffrey Dykens to grant permission for food vendors contracted by Monomoy Community Services to vend at Hardings Beach on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Second: by Dean Nicastro. Vote: 4-0-0.” (Motion: Dykens, second: Nicastro)
Jun 1Appoint Luther Bates to the Aunt Lydia’s Cove Committee…Motion: to appoint Luther Bates to the Aunt Lydia’s Cove Committee until…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Davis
June 1, 2021: Appoint Luther Bates to the Aunt Lydia’s Cove Committee until June 30, 2024 unless sooner revoked or a successor is appointed
AppointPassed · 4–0
To appoint Luther Bates to the Aunt Lydia’s Cove Committee until June 30, 2024 unless sooner revoked or a successor is appointed
Yes: Cocolis, Dykens, Metters, NicastroAbstained: Davis
From the minutes
“Motion: by Dean Nicastro to appoint Luther Bates to the Aunt Lydia’s Cove Committee until June 30, 2024 unless sooner revoked or a successor is appointed. Second: by Jeffrey Dykens. RollCallVote: Jeffrey Dykens: Yes Dean Nicastro: Yes Cory Metters: Yes Peter Cocolis: Yes Shareen Davis: Abstain.” (Motion: Nicastro, second: Dykens)
Jun 1Appoint Luther Bates to the Economic Development Committee until…Motion: to appoint Luther Bates to the Economic Development Committee until June…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Davis
June 1, 2021: Appoint Luther Bates to the Economic Development Committee until June 30, 2024 unless sooner revoked or a successor is appointed
AppointPassed · 4–0
To appoint Luther Bates to the Economic Development Committee until June 30, 2024 unless sooner revoked or a successor is appointed
Yes: Cocolis, Dykens, Metters, NicastroAbstained: Davis
From the minutes
“Motion: by Jeffrey Dykens to appoint Luther Bates to the Economic Development Committee until June 30, 2024 unless sooner revoked or a successor is appointed. Second: by Dean Nicastro. RollCallVote: Jeffrey Dykens: Yes Dean Nicastro: Yes Cory Metters: Yes Peter Cocolis: Yes Shareen Davis: Abstain.” (Motion: Dykens, second: Nicastro)
May 25Approve an in-person Independence Day parade to be held…Motion: to approve an in-person Independence Day parade to be held on…Passed 4–1 · No: Cocolis
May 25, 2021: Approve an in-person Independence Day parade to be held on July 3, 2021
ApprovePassed · 4–1
To approve an in-person Independence Day parade to be held on July 3, 2021
Yes: Davis, Dykens, Metters, NicastroNo: Cocolis
From the minutes
“Motion: by Jeffrey Dykens to approve an in-person Independence Day parade to be held on July 3, 2021. Second: by Peter Cocolis. Roll Call Vote: Jeffrey Dykens: Yes Dean Nicastro: Yes Cory Metters: Yes Peter Cocolis: No Shareen Davis: Yes.” (Motion: Dykens, second: Cocolis)
May 4Approve as submitted (Fish Weir Permit Renewal; Nantucket Sound…Motion: to approve as submittedPassed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
May 4, 2021: Approve as submitted (Fish Weir Permit Renewal; Nantucket Sound Fish Weirs (Kurt Martin))
ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present
To approve as submitted
Shareen Davis stepped aside (recused).
From the minutes
“Motion: by Jeffrey Dykens to approve as submitted. Second: by Cory Metters. RollCallVote: Jeffrey Dykens: Yes Dean Nicastro: Yes Cory Metters: Yes Peter Cocolis: Yes.” (Motion: Dykens, second: Metters)
May 4Terminate the Crowell Road intersection project and request its…Motion: to terminate the Crowell Road intersection project and request its removal…Failed 2–3 · No: Cocolis, Davis, Dykens
May 4, 2021: Terminate the Crowell Road intersection project and request its removal from the TIP
ApproveFailed · 2–3
To terminate the Crowell Road intersection project and request its removal from the TIP
Yes: Metters, NicastroNo: Cocolis, Davis, Dykens
From the minutes
“Motion: by Dean Nicastro to terminate the Crowell Road intersection project and request its removal from the TIP. Second: by Cory Metters. RollCallVote: Jeffrey Dykens: No Dean Nicastro: Yes Cory Metters: Yes Peter Cocolis: No Shareen Davis: No.” (Motion: Nicastro, second: Metters)
May 4Continue to move forward with this FFY2026 TIP project…Motion: to continue to move forward with this FFY2026 TIP project and…Passed 3–2 · No: Metters, Nicastro
May 4, 2021: Continue to move forward with this FFY2026 TIP project and to encumber $237,765.59 from Chapter 90 funding to supplement the available funding of $71,422.76 for the project through PS&E/Phase 4…
ApprovePassed · 3–2
To continue to move forward with this FFY2026 TIP project and to encumber $237,765.59 from Chapter 90 funding to supplement the available funding of $71,422.76 for the project through PS&E/Phase 4 to meet readiness milestones to remain on the TIP
Yes: Cocolis, Davis, DykensNo: Metters, Nicastro
From the minutes
“Motion: by Jeffrey Dykens to continue to move forward with this FFY2026 TIP project and to encumber $237,765.59 from Chapter 90 funding to supplement the available funding of $71,422.76 for the project through PS&E/Phase 4 to meet readiness milestones to remain on the TIP. Second: by Peter Cocolis. RollCallVote: Jeffrey Dykens: Yes Dean Nicastro: No Cory Metters: No Peter Cocolis: Yes Shareen Davis: Yes.” (Motion: Dykens, second: Cocolis)
Apr 28For the Chatham Select Board approve the Agreement for…Motion: for the Chatham Select Board approve the Agreement for one year…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 28, 2021 (Joint meeting): For the Chatham Select Board approve the Agreement for one year with final language to reflect the evenings discussion to be worked out administratively and approve the use of e-signatures.…
ApprovePassed · 4–0
For the Chatham Select Board approve the Agreement for one year with final language to reflect the evenings discussion to be worked out administratively and approve the use of e-signatures. 5 April 28, 2021 Joint Meeting - Orleans Park Commissioners
Yes: Cocolis, Davis, Dykens, NicastroCory Metters is not listed in this roll call.
From the minutes
“Motion: by Dean Nicastro for the Chatham Select Board approve the Agreement for one year with final language to reflect the evenings discussion to be worked out administratively and approve the use of e-signatures. 5 April 28, 2021 Joint Meeting - Orleans Park Commissioners Second: by Jeffrey Dykens. Roll Call Vote: Jeffrey Dykens: Yes Dean Nicastro: Yes Peter Cocolis: Yes Shareen Davis: Yes.” (Motion: Nicastro, second: Dykens)
Apr 13Recommend the petitioned article for a new general bylaw…Motion: to recommend the petitioned article for a new general bylaw banning…Passed 3–1 · No: Metters
April 13, 2021: Recommend the petitioned article for a new general bylaw banning commercial single-use plastic water bottle sales in Town to 2021 Annual Town Meeting
ApprovePassed · 3–1
To recommend the petitioned article for a new general bylaw banning commercial single-use plastic water bottle sales in Town to 2021 Annual Town Meeting
“Motion: by Jeffrey Dykens to recommend the petitioned article for a new general bylaw banning commercial single-use plastic water bottle sales in Town to 2021 Annual Town Meeting. Second: by Peter Cocolis. RollCallVote: Jeffrey Dykens: Yes Cory Metters: No Peter Cocolis: Yes Shareen Davis: Yes.” (Motion: Dykens, second: Cocolis)
From the Chatham Select Board’s official minutes on mytowngovernment.org, where the town posts them. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Chatham (town website, Select Board Members).