← Chelmsford Select Board

Chelmsford Former Select Board member

Mark Carota

At-large · 3 terms in this record

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Board years

Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2023–2024 Board

10 of 11meetings attended (91%) · whole board 99%
99votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
1no votes (1% of votes cast) · whole board 1%
0 of 2split votes where Carota was in the minority · whole board 28%
1abstained
3terms in this record
How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2023–2024 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Carota 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.

Attendance

At the start of 10 of 11 Select Board meetings in 2023–2024 Board.

Missed

Every meeting (11)

Votes where members disagreed · 2023–2024 Board

Aug 14Approve the regular meeting minutes of July 24, 2023Motion: MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to approve the regular meeting minutes…Passed 4–0 · Carota: Abstained

August 14, 2023: Approve the regular meeting minutes of July 24, 2023

Approve minutesPassed · 4–0

MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 24, 2023. Seconded by Board Member Timmins.

Voted: Abstained

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

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 · Carota: Yes

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…

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present

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

Voted: Yes

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..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Jun 26Asked for a roll call vote: Present were Mr.…Motion: asked for aPassed Unanimous, 5 present · Carota: Yes

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…

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Asked for a

Voted: Yes

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.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

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 · Carota: Yes

June 26, 2023 (Joint meeting): Nominate Christopher Lavallee as a member of the Planning Board

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

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.

Voted: Yes

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)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Jun 26Joint Meeting With Planning Board To Fill A Vacancy…Motion: roll call vote was taken on the appointment of Christopher Lavallee:…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · Carota: Yes

June 26, 2023 (Joint meeting): Joint Meeting With Planning Board To Fill A Vacancy On The Planning Board

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Roll call vote was taken on the appointment of Christopher Lavallee: 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.

Voted: Yes

The count (10-0) includes the other board’s members; only the Select Board members’ votes are shown. The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“roll call vote was taken on the appointment of Christopher Lavallee: 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. Motion carries 10-0, unanimous..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

May 15Joint Meetng With Cemetery Commission To Fill A Vacancy…Motion: roll call vote: Board Member Dixon-Y, Board Member Timmins-Y, Board Member…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · Carota: Yes

May 15, 2023 (Joint meeting): Joint Meetng With Cemetery Commission To Fill A Vacancy On The Cemetery Commission

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Roll call vote: Board Member Dixon-Y, Board Member Timmins-Y, Board Member Drew-Y, Chair Carota-Y, Vice Chair Wojtas-Y, Cemetery Commission Member Hardy-Y and Cemetery Commission Member Sousa-Y.

Voted: Yes

The count (7-0) includes the other board’s members; only the Select Board members’ votes are shown. The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“roll call vote: Board Member Dixon-Y, Board Member Timmins-Y, Board Member Drew-Y, Chair Carota-Y, Vice Chair Wojtas-Y, Cemetery Commission Member Hardy-Y and Cemetery Commission Member Sousa-Y. Motion carries 7-0, unanimous..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Apr 10Recommend approval of Article 20Motion: MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to recommend approval of Article 20.…Passed 3–2 · Carota: Yes

April 10, 2023: Recommend approval of Article 20

ApprovePassed · 3–2

MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to recommend approval of Article 20. Seconded by Board Member Timmins.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Carota, Dixon, WojtasNo: Drew, Timmins

From the minutes

“MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to recommend approval of Article 20. Seconded by Board Member Timmins. Motion carries 3-2, with Board Members Timmins and Drew opposed..” (Motion: Wojtas, second: Timmins)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Apr 10Recommend approval of Article 21Motion: MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to recommend approval of Article 21.…Failed 1–4 · Carota: No

April 10, 2023: Recommend approval of Article 21

ApproveFailed · 1–4

MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to recommend approval of Article 21. Seconded by Board Member Timmins.

Voted: No

Yes: WojtasNo: Carota, Dixon, Drew, Timmins

From the minutes

“MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to recommend approval of Article 21. Seconded by Board Member Timmins. Motion fails 1-4, with Board Member Wojtas in favor, all others opposed..” (Motion: Wojtas, second: Timmins)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Apr 10Approve the Select Board regular meeting minutes of March…Motion: MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to approve the Select Board regular…Passed 4–0 · Carota: Yes

April 10, 2023: Approve the Select Board regular meeting minutes of March 27, 2023 as amended

Approve minutesPassed · 4–0

MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to approve the Select Board regular meeting minutes of March 27, 2023 as amended. Seconded by Board Member Timmins.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Carota, Dixon, Timmins, WojtasAbstained: Drew

From the minutes

“MOTION: by Vice Chair Wojtas to approve the Select Board regular meeting minutes of March 27, 2023 as amended. Seconded by Board Member Timmins. Motion carries 4-0-1, with Board Member Drew abstaining..” (Motion: Wojtas, second: Timmins)

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

Apr 6Choose the Select Board Chair (Mark Carota chosen over…Motion: A poll was taken. Board Member Wojtas voted for herself, Board…Passed 3–2 · Carota: Not recorded

April 6, 2023 (Special meeting): Choose the Select Board Chair (Mark Carota chosen over Patricia Wojtas)

AppointPassed · 3–2

A poll was taken. Board Member Wojtas voted for herself, Board Member Drew for Board Member Carota, Chair Timmins for Board Member Carota, Board Member Dixon for Board Member Carota and Board Member Carota for Board Member Wojtas.

A choice between two nominees, not a yes/no vote, so we show the count only. The minutes record the poll: Patricia Wojtas voted for herself, Erin Drew for Mark Carota, Virginia Crocker Timmins for Mark Carota, George Dixon for Mark Carota and Mark Carota for Patricia Wojtas.

From the minutes

“A poll was taken. Board Member Wojtas voted for herself, Board Member Drew for Board Member Carota, Chair Timmins for Board Member Carota, Board Member Dixon for Board Member Carota and Board Member Carota for Board Member Wojtas. Motion carries 3-2 for Board Member Carota as Chair..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (96)

    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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