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Chelmsford Select Board
How the Chelmsford Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. Erin Drew joined the board after the April 2023 town election; Kenneth Lefebvre left it (his last meeting was March 27, 2023). On April 6, 2023 the board chose Mark Carota as Chair (3-2 over Patricia Wojtas), Patricia Wojtas as Vice Chair and Virginia Crocker Timmins as Clerk. Mark Carota resigned from the board effective September 10, 2023 (his last meeting was September 5, 2023); the board then chose Patricia Wojtas as Chair, Virginia Crocker Timmins as Vice Chair and Erin Drew as Clerk, and decided not to hold a special election, so four members served until April 2024. Covers 33 meetings, April 6 to April 1, 2024.
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.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetYour Chelmsford ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Board years
Coming up
No upcoming meeting is posted yet. Check the official calendar →
Under the state Open Meeting Law, boards post notice at least 48 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays.
Members
Patricia WojtasChair · At-large · at 33 of 33 meetings"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: Chelmsford Select Board minutes (the board was called the Board of Selectmen until August 2020) from January 8, 2018 through August 24, 2026: 282 meetings and 2,533 votes. The town’s Agenda Center holds the board’s minutes back to 2013 (MassVoter has loaded 2018 on). All the minutes are typed documents with searchable text. Joint meetings with other boards (School Committee, Finance Committee, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Health, Housing Authority and others) are included when they are in the board’s minutes; only the Select Board members’ votes are shown. Not here: executive-session minutes (released executive-session minutes attached to some files are left out, except February 15, 2024, where they are the only minutes posted); September 9, 2024 (the file posted for that date is the November 4, 2024 minutes); July 9, 2026 (a joint executive session with the Zoning Board of Appeals; agenda only); January 29, 2020 (a Vision and Values Committee public input session, not a board meeting); and meetings after August 24, 2026 (the September 14, September 28 and October 5, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Chelmsford’s minutes record most votes as “Motion carries 5-0, unanimous” with the members present listed at the top, and since 2020 many votes as roll calls by name (“Roll call vote: Chair Wojtas-Y, Vice Chair Hardy-Y, Clerk Boisvert-Y, Board Member Cunningham-Y and Board Member Kurland-Y”). Split votes name the members who voted no or abstained. Where a count does not match the members present and the minutes do not say who voted which way, or a roll call does not match its count, we show the count only, with a note (21 votes). Two officer elections were a choice between two nominees (April 2023 and April 2024); they show the count, with the minutes’ record of who chose whom in the note. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Dec 11Support the Town Manager's recommendation to establish a revenue…Motion: MOTION: by Vice Chair Timmins to support the Town Manager's recommendation…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
December 11, 2023 (Joint meeting): Support the Town Manager's recommendation to establish a revenue target of $163 million as presented
MOTION: by Vice Chair Timmins to support the Town Manager's recommendation to establish a revenue target of $163 million as presented. Seconded by School Committee Member Donna Newcomb. Roll call vote: Donna Newcomb-Y, Dennis King-Y, Susan Mackinnon-Y, John Moses-Y, Maria Santos-Y, Jim Clancy-Y, Sam Chase-Y, Katherine Duffett-Y, Cynthia Goodland-Y, David Goselin-Y, Board Member Drew-Y, Board Member Dixon-Y, Board Member Timmins-Y and Chair Wojtas-Y.
The count (14-0) includes the other board’s members; only the Select Board members’ votes are shown.
From the minutes
“MOTION: by Vice Chair Timmins to support the Town Manager's recommendation to establish a revenue target of $163 million as presented. Seconded by School Committee Member Donna Newcomb. Roll call vote: Donna Newcomb-Y, Dennis King-Y, Susan Mackinnon-Y, John Moses-Y, Maria Santos-Y, Jim Clancy-Y, Sam Chase-Y, Katherine Duffett-Y, Cynthia Goodland-Y, David Goselin-Y, Board Member Drew-Y, Board Member Dixon-Y, Board Member Timmins-Y and Chair Wojtas-Y. Motion carries 14-0, unanimous..” (Motion: Timmins)
Nov 20Approve the purchase and sale agreement and associated rider…Motion: MOTION: by Board Member Drew to approve the purchase and sale…Passed 3–0 · see note
November 20, 2023: Approve the purchase and sale agreement and associated rider related to the purchase of the Elm Street parcel at map 124 block 462 lot 19
MOTION: by Board Member Drew to approve the purchase and sale agreement and associated rider related to the purchase of the Elm Street parcel at map 124 block 462 lot 19. Seconded by Board Member Dixon. Roll call vote: Board Member Dixon-Y, Vice Chair Timmins-Y and Board Member Drew-Y.
Yes: Dixon, Drew, TimminsThe roll call does not list Patricia Wojtas, who was at the meeting; this member is not shown as voting.
From the minutes
“MOTION: by Board Member Drew to approve the purchase and sale agreement and associated rider related to the purchase of the Elm Street parcel at map 124 block 462 lot 19. Seconded by Board Member Dixon. Roll call vote: Board Member Dixon-Y, Vice Chair Timmins-Y and Board Member Drew-Y. Motion carries 3-0, unanimous..” (Motion: Drew, second: Dixon)
Oct 23Approve the roadside vendor license for Central Congregational Church…Motion: MOTION: by Board Member Drew to approve the roadside vendor license…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Timmins
October 23, 2023: Approve the roadside vendor license for Central Congregational Church at 1 Worthen St. from November 24-Deember 23, 2023
MOTION: by Board Member Drew to approve the roadside vendor license for Central Congregational Church at 1 Worthen St. from November 24-Deember 23, 2023. Seconded by Board Member Dixon.
Yes: Dixon, Drew, WojtasAbstained: Timmins
From the minutes
“MOTION: by Board Member Drew to approve the roadside vendor license for Central Congregational Church at 1 Worthen St. from November 24-Deember 23, 2023. Seconded by Board Member Dixon. Motion carries 3-0, with Vice Chair Timmins abstaining..” (Motion: Drew, second: Dixon)
Oct 2Support recommendation of Article 25: Adoption of the Specialized…Motion: MOTION: by Vice Chair Timmins for the Select Board to support…Passed 3–1 · No: Drew
October 2, 2023: Support recommendation of Article 25: Adoption of the Specialized Energy Code
MOTION: by Vice Chair Timmins for the Select Board to support recommendation of Article 25: Adoption of the Specialized Energy Code. Seconded by Board Member Drew.
Yes: Dixon, Timmins, WojtasNo: Drew
From the minutes
“MOTION: by Vice Chair Timmins for the Select Board to support recommendation of Article 25: Adoption of the Specialized Energy Code. Seconded by Board Member Drew. Motion carries 3-1, with Board Member Drew opposing..” (Motion: Timmins, second: Drew)
Oct 2Recommend approval of Article 9 as presentedMotion: MOTION: by Board Member Dixon that the Select Board recommend approval…Passed 3–0 · see note
October 2, 2023: Recommend approval of Article 9 as presented
MOTION: by Board Member Dixon that the Select Board recommend approval of Article 9 as presented. Seconded by Board Member Drew.
The minutes give the count as 3-0, but 4 members were present. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“MOTION: by Board Member Dixon that the Select Board recommend approval of Article 9 as presented. Seconded by Board Member Drew. Motion carries 3-0, unanimous..” (Motion: Dixon, second: Drew)
Oct 2Recommend approval of Article 20: Zoning Bylaw Amendment -…Motion: MOTION: by Vice Chair Timmins that the Select Board recommend approval…Failed 1–3 · No: Dixon, Drew, Timmins
October 2, 2023: Recommend approval of Article 20: Zoning Bylaw Amendment - RB to RC for a Portion of Littleton Road as presented
MOTION: by Vice Chair Timmins that the Select Board recommend approval of Article 20: Zoning Bylaw Amendment - RB to RC for a Portion of Littleton Road as presented. Seconded by Board Member Drew.
Yes: WojtasNo: Dixon, Drew, Timmins
From the minutes
“MOTION: by Vice Chair Timmins that the Select Board recommend approval of Article 20: Zoning Bylaw Amendment - RB to RC for a Portion of Littleton Road as presented. Seconded by Board Member Drew. Motion fails 1 - 3, with Chair Wojtas voting in favor..” (Motion: Timmins, second: Drew)
Aug 14Approve the regular meeting minutes of July 24, 2023Motion: MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to approve the regular meeting minutes…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Carota
August 14, 2023: Approve the regular meeting minutes of July 24, 2023
MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 24, 2023. Seconded by Board Member Timmins.
Yes: Dixon, Drew, Timmins, WojtasAbstained: CarotaThe minutes write the count as 4-1-0 with Mark Carota abstaining, so the second number is the abstention, not a no vote.
From the minutes
“MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 24, 2023. Seconded by Board Member Timmins. Motion passed 4-1-0, with Chair Carota abstaining..” (Motion: Wojtas, second: Timmins)
Jul 10D confidence in her and asked that the Boards…Motion: d confidence in her and asked that the Boards take that…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
July 10, 2023 (Joint meeting): D confidence in her and asked that the Boards take that under consideration. Chair Carota asked for votes of preference of the two candidates. Select Board Member Dixon - Joel…
D confidence in her and asked that the Boards take that under consideration. Chair Carota asked for votes of preference of the two candidates. Select Board Member Dixon - Joel Luna Select Board Member Timmins - Joel Luna Vice Chair Wojtas - Joel Luna Chair Carota - Joel Luna Planning Board Member Walsh - Joel Luna Planning Board Member Sousa - Joel Luna Planning Board Member Lavallee- Joel Luna Planning Bord Member Tanini - Joel Luna Planning Board Member Connolly - Joel Luna
This was a joint vote with another board (count 9-0, including the other board’s members); the Select Board members present are shown voting yes. Erin Drew had left the meeting or had not yet arrived, according to the minutes, and is not shown as voting. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“d confidence in her and asked that the Boards take that under consideration. Chair Carota asked for votes of preference of the two candidates. Select Board Member Dixon - Joel Luna Select Board Member Timmins - Joel Luna Vice Chair Wojtas - Joel Luna Chair Carota - Joel Luna Planning Board Member Walsh - Joel Luna Approved 7/24/2023 Planning Board Member Sousa - Joel Luna Planning Board Member Lavallee- Joel Luna Planning Bord Member Tanini - Joel Luna Planning Board Member Connolly - Joel Luna Motion carries 9-0, unanimous for Joel Luna as Associate Member of the Planning Board..”
Jun 26Asked for a roll call vote: Present were Mr.…Motion: asked for aPassed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
June 26, 2023 (Joint meeting): Asked for a roll call vote: Present were Mr. Paul McDougall-Y, Mr. John Sousa-Y, Ms. Deirdre Connolly-Y, Ms. Annita Tanini-Y and Mr. Michael Walsh of the Planning Board and Board…
Asked for a
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“asked for a roll call vote: Present were Mr. Paul McDougall-Y, Mr. John Sousa-Y, Ms. Deirdre Connolly-Y, Ms. Annita Tanini-Y and Mr. Michael Walsh of the Planning Board and Board Members Timmins-Y, Dixon-Y, Wojtas-Y, Drew-Y and Chair Carota-Y.”
Jun 26Nominate Christopher Lavallee as a member of the Planning…Motion: MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to nominate Christopher Lavallee as a…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
June 26, 2023 (Joint meeting): Nominate Christopher Lavallee as a member of the Planning Board
MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to nominate Christopher Lavallee as a member of the Planning Board. Seconded by Board Member Timmins. Roll call vote: Mr. McDougall-Y, Mr. Walsh-Y, Mr. Sousa-Y, Ms. Connolly-Y and Ms. Tanini of the Planning Board and Board Members Timmins-Y, Dixon-Y, Wojtas-Y, Drew-Y and Chair Carota-Y.
The count (10-0) includes the other board’s members; only the Select Board members’ votes are shown.
From the minutes
“MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to nominate Christopher Lavallee as a member of the Planning Board. Seconded by Board Member Timmins. Roll call vote: Mr. McDougall-Y, Mr. Walsh-Y, Mr. Sousa-Y, Ms. Connolly-Y and Ms. Tanini of the Planning Board and Board Members Approved 7/10/2023 Timmins-Y, Dixon-Y, Wojtas-Y, Drew-Y and Chair Carota-Y. Motion carries 10-0, unanimous..” (Motion: Wojtas, second: Timmins)
From the Chelmsford Select Board’s official minutes in the town’s Agenda Center. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Chelmsford, Select Board page (official board photo, captioned by name; cropped by MassVoter).
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