How the Chilmark Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 3 Select Board members elected townwide. Jeffrey Maida joined the board after the April 2024 town election; Bill Rossi left. On May 8, 2024 the board chose James Malkin as Chair, Marie Larsen as Vice Chair and Jeffrey Maida as Clerk. Covers 35 meetings, May 8 to April 15, 2025.
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 Chilmark, 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.
Special Town Meeting · June 29, 2026 1 votes: 1 passed
Art. 1Appropriate $200,000 more for the FY2026 Reserve Fund ($100,000 available funds, $100,000 from June 2020 ATM Article 9)Passed“Article 1 carried unanimously.”
Art. 25AAmend zoning to allow Protected Use ADUs by right and remove guest house and accessory apartment sections (size amended to 900 sq ft)Passed as amended“amended, is passed, not unanimously.”
Special Town Meeting · July 15, 2024 1 votes: 1 passed as amended
Art. 1Transfer $403,831.63 from General Stabilization for listed items (reserve fund, computers, vehicles, repairs); Menemsha Beach item struckPassed as amended“Article 1, as amended, carried unanimously.”
Special Town Meeting · January 22, 2024 1 votes: 1 passed as amended
Art. 1Authorize a lease of up to 30 years of town land behind Chilmark School for a preschool; area amended from 3,000 to 4,500 sq ftPassed as amended“Article 1 is carried unanimously, as amended.”
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: Select Board (Board of Selectmen until 2021) minutes from January 5, 2021 through September 1, 2026, as posted on the town website. Older minutes back to 2017 are online but not loaded yet. Executive session minutes are not included. The minutes give the mover, the seconder and a tally such as “SO VOTED: 3 Ayes” or “SO VOTED: 2 Ayes, 1 Nay Jeffrey Maida”, naming any member who voted no or abstained. With three members, each member’s vote can be shown on nearly every motion. Votes taken by other boards at joint meetings (Finance Committee, Planning Board, Park & Recreation) are not listed. Where the tally does not match the members present, only the count is shown. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Apr 15Increase the grades of Deputy Chief and ParamedicsMotion: increase the grades of Deputy Chief and ParamedicsPassed 2–1 · No: Maida
April 15, 2025: Increase the grades of Deputy Chief and Paramedics
ApprovePassed · 2–1
Increase the grades of Deputy Chief and Paramedics
Yes: Larsen, MalkinNo: Maida
From the minutes
“Ms. Larsen moved to increase the grades of Deputy Chief and Paramedics. Mr. Maida seconded the motion. Chairperson Malkin asked if there was any discussion. Chief Retmier asked to go retro to when all were moved. Mr. Leopold said that was intent of HRB to do so. Ms. Larsen added to motion retro to July 1, 2025. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes 1 Nay , Mr. Maida. 2 HRB- recommendation (4/14/25) Step of new hire: Department head.” (Motion: Larsen, second: Maida)
Dec 17Her original motion with the grandfathering amendmentMotion: her original motion with the grandfathering amendmentPassed 2–1 · No: Maida
December 17, 2024: Her original motion with the grandfathering amendment
ApprovePassed · 2–1
Her original motion with the grandfathering amendment
Yes: Larsen, MalkinNo: Maida
From the minutes
“Ms. Larsen moved her original motion with the grandfathering amendment; Chairperson Malkin seconded the amended motion. SO VOTED 2 Ayes, 1 Nay Jeffrey Maida. Mr. Carroll said in the future once we have the specific wording.” (Motion: Larsen, second: Malkin)
Nov 20Move forward with Harbormaster’s decision on allowing 39-footer and…Motion: move forward with Harbormaster’s decision on allowing 39-footer and adding following…Passed 2–1 · No: Maida
November 20, 2024: Move forward with Harbormaster’s decision on allowing 39-footer and adding following conditions; Motors down while not in use and allowed to be up to clean and maintain engines while…
ApprovePassed · 2–1
Move forward with Harbormaster’s decision on allowing 39-footer and adding following conditions; Motors down while not in use and allowed to be up to clean and maintain engines while the captain is on board. No anchor extending beyond the bow. There will be additional fendering. Ms. Clark voiced concerns that these conditions where only being applied to her and her boat. Chairperson Malkin said these are conditions imposed on a particular slip, for a particular vessel
Yes: Larsen, MalkinNo: Maida
From the minutes
“Ms. Larsen moved to move forward with Harbormaster’s decision on allowing 39-footer and adding following conditions; Motors down while not in use and allowed to be up to clean and maintain engines while the captain is on board. No anchor extending beyond the bow. There will be additional fendering. Ms. Clark voiced concerns that these conditions where only being applied to her and her boat. Chairperson Malkin said these are conditions imposed on a particular slip, for a particular vessel. Mr. Maida seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes, 1 Nay Jeffrey Maida Preschool - plan for sidewalk & dedicated parking area at Communi.” (Motion: Larsen, second: Maida)
Nov 12Approve 8% increase to the voted wage scale. Chairperson…Motion: approve 8% increase to the voted wage scale. Chairperson Malkin said…Passed 2–1 · No: Maida
November 12, 2024: Approve 8% increase to the voted wage scale. Chairperson Malkin said he assumes would be applied retroactively to start of FY25. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes, 1 Nay
ApprovePassed · 2–1
Approve 8% increase to the voted wage scale. Chairperson Malkin said he assumes would be applied retroactively to start of FY25. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes, 1 Nay
Yes: Larsen, MalkinNo: Maida
From the minutes
“Ms. Larsen moved to approve 8% increase to the voted wage scale. Chairperson Malkin said he assumes would be applied retroactively to start of FY25. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes, 1 Nay Mr. Maida. 4 Mr. Carroll said the Treasurer needs to have information for the r.” (Motion: Larsen)
Oct 15We declare it would not have an impact. Read…Motion: we declare it would not have an impact. Read aloud paragraph…Passed 2–0 · see note
October 15, 2024 (Joint meeting): We declare it would not have an impact. Read aloud paragraph about disclosures for the three members
ApprovePassed · 2–0
We declare it would not have an impact. Read aloud paragraph about disclosures for the three members
The minutes record “2 Ayes” but list 3 members present, so individual votes are not shown.
From the minutes
“Ms. Larsen moved we declare it would not have an impact. Read aloud paragraph about disclosures for the three members. Mr. Maida seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes , 1 recused James Malkin Library ‐ Appointment of Lynne McCormack as Adult Progr.” (Motion: Larsen, second: Maida)
Sep 24Purchase the Solar PV array at the Chilmark Landfill.…Motion: purchase the Solar PV array at the Chilmark Landfill. In addition,…Passed 2–1 · No: Maida
September 24, 2024: Purchase the Solar PV array at the Chilmark Landfill. In addition, accepting the offer of deferred rent with Vineyard Power ‐ Solar
ApprovePassed · 2–1
Purchase the Solar PV array at the Chilmark Landfill. In addition, accepting the offer of deferred rent with Vineyard Power ‐ Solar
Yes: Larsen, MalkinNo: Maida
From the minutes
“Ms. Larsen moved to purchase the Solar PV array at the Chilmark Landfill. In addition, accepting the offer of deferred rent with Vineyard Power ‐ Solar. Chairperson Malkin seconded the motion. With no additional comments from the public Chair Malkin called for a vote. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes, 1 Nay Jeffrey Maida. Shellfish Constable: Shellfish Constable Isaiah Scheffer gave a.” (Motion: Larsen, second: Malkin)
Aug 20Accept request as presented and appoint Mr. Crocker through…Motion: accept request as presented and appoint Mr. Crocker through end of…Passed 2–1 · No: Maida
August 20, 2024: Accept request as presented and appoint Mr. Crocker through end of Labor Day 2024. Chair Malkin said appointed as Assistant Wharfinger with understanding he will be doing traffic control
AppointPassed · 2–1
Accept request as presented and appoint Mr. Crocker through end of Labor Day 2024. Chair Malkin said appointed as Assistant Wharfinger with understanding he will be doing traffic control
Yes: Larsen, MalkinNo: Maida
From the minutes
“Ms. Larsen moved to accept request as presented and appoint Mr. Crocker through end of Labor Day 2024. Chair Malkin said appointed as Assistant Wharfinger with understanding he will be doing traffic control. Mr. Malkin seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes, 1 Nay Mr. Maida. Board of Health ‐ Island MOU Opioid Abatement Funds, request to vote.” (Motion: Larsen, second: Malkin)
“Ms. Larsen moved to approve as written. Chair Malkin seconded the motion. Mr. Maida abstained SO VOTED: 2 Ayes, 1 Abstain . Building Inspector – Review of MVC Checklist he uses: Chairperson Malkin said.” (Motion: Larsen, second: Malkin)
“Ms. Larsen moved to approve both sets of minutes. Chair Malkin seconded the motion. Voted separately. Minutes from 4/2/24: SO VOTED: 2 Ayes 1 abstain Mr. Maida Minutes from 5/8/24: SO VOTED: 3 Ayes Planning Board appointments: Ms.” (Motion: Larsen, second: Malkin)
Jun 4Send Planning Board message to start the process to…Motion: send Planning Board message to start the process to amend Zoning…Passed 2–1 · No: Maida
June 4, 2024: Send Planning Board message to start the process to amend Zoning Bylaw section 6.10.A2 specifically for Town Owned Land Only to increase density to one rental unit per acre
ApprovePassed · 2–1
Send Planning Board message to start the process to amend Zoning Bylaw section 6.10.A2 specifically for Town Owned Land Only to increase density to one rental unit per acre
Yes: Larsen, MalkinNo: Maida
From the minutes
“Ms. Larsen moved to send Planning Board message to start the process to amend Zoning Bylaw section 6.10.A2 specifically for Town Owned Land Only to increase density to one rental unit per acre. Chair Malkin seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes, 1 Nay Jeffrey Maida Beach Department‐ Appointments: Mr. Carroll referred to the poste.” (Motion: Larsen, second: Malkin)
From the Chilmark Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town website. We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Member photos from The Martha’s Vineyard Times: Jeffrey Maida (April 2024 election story), Matthew Poole (June 2025 profile, photo by Sarah Shaw Dawson), Rebecca Haag (April 2026 candidate forum, photo by Nicholas Vukota). Former members show initials.