MassVoter.com← Dedham Select Board
Dedham Chair
James MacDonald
Elected townwide · 10 terms in this record
James A. MacDonald
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2024–2025 Board
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2024–2025 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list James MacDonald 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
No recent stories found that name James MacDonald in the headline or opening.
Stories that name James MacDonald in the headline or opening, newest first, from 25 free news outlets (see the list). Headlines appear as each outlet published them; MassVoter does not write, choose or rate them. Only stories that are free to read are listed.
Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Attendance
At the start of 21 of 22 Select Board meetings in 2024–2025 Board.
Missed
- Mar 24, 2025 · Regular: Absent
Every meeting (22)
- Apr 9, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Mar 27, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Mar 24, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Mar 13, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Feb 18, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Feb 6, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jan 9, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Dec 11, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Nov 21, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Nov 7, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Oct 24, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Oct 21, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Oct 10, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Sep 12, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Aug 27, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Aug 5, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Jul 25, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Jun 27, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Jun 13, 2024 · Regular: Present
- May 30, 2024 · Regular: Present
- May 9, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Apr 25, 2024 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2024–2025 Board
Aug 5Appoint Scott Steves as the master builder and construction…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Scott…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · James MacDonald: Yes
August 5, 2024: Appoint Scott Steves as the master builder and construction super to the Zoning Board of Appeals
On a motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Scott Steves as the master builder and construction super to the Zoning Board of Appeals. All in favor. Motion carried.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Scott Steves as the master builder and construction super to the Zoning Board of Appeals. All in favor. Motion carried..”
Aug 5Appoint Thomas Ryan as the attorney to the Zoning…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Thomas…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · James MacDonald: Yes
August 5, 2024: Appoint Thomas Ryan as the attorney to the Zoning Board of Appeals
On a motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Thomas Ryan as the attorney to the Zoning Board of Appeals. All in favor. Motion carried.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Thomas Ryan as the attorney to the Zoning Board of Appeals. All in favor. Motion carried..”
Aug 5Appoint Sara Rosenthal as the architect to the Zoning…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Sara…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · James MacDonald: Yes
August 5, 2024: Appoint Sara Rosenthal as the architect to the Zoning Board of Appeals
On a motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Sara Rosenthal as the architect to the Zoning Board of Appeals. All in favor. Motion carried.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Sara Rosenthal as the architect to the Zoning Board of Appeals. All in favor. Motion carried..”
Aug 5Appoint Matthew Gallagher as the civil engineer to the…Motion: Ona motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Matthew Gallagher…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · James MacDonald: Yes
August 5, 2024: Appoint Matthew Gallagher as the civil engineer to the Zoning Board of Appeals
Ona motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Matthew Gallagher as the civil engineer to the Zoning Board of Appeals. All in favor. Motion carried.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Ona motion duly made, it was agreed to appoint Matthew Gallagher as the civil engineer to the Zoning Board of Appeals. All in favor. Motion carried..”
Aug 5Appoint Mr. Vigil and Mr. Coben as alternates for…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was voted to appoint Mr.…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · James MacDonald: Yes
August 5, 2024: Appoint Mr. Vigil and Mr. Coben as alternates for the Zoning Board of Appeals for a one-year term
On a motion duly made, it was voted to appoint Mr. Vigil and Mr. Coben as alternates for the Zoning Board of Appeals for a one-year term. All in favor. Motion carried.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was voted to appoint Mr. Vigil and Mr. Coben as alternates for the Zoning Board of Appeals for a one-year term. All in favor. Motion carried..”
Aug 5Appoint Mr. Kaufman, Ms. McGowan, and Ms. Robyn to…Motion: On a motion duly made, it was moved to appoint Mr.…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · James MacDonald: Yes
August 5, 2024: Appoint Mr. Kaufman, Ms. McGowan, and Ms. Robyn to the Human Rights Commission
On a motion duly made, it was moved to appoint Mr. Kaufman, Ms. McGowan, and Ms. Robyn to the Human Rights Commission. All in favor. Motion carried.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“On a motion duly made, it was moved to appoint Mr. Kaufman, Ms. McGowan, and Ms. Robyn to the Human Rights Commission. All in favor. Motion carried..”
Votes with no disagreement (3)
From the Dedham Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s Agendas and Minutes page. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Stephen Acosta from Dedham Public Schools (School Committee page); Dimitria Sullivan and Erin Boles Welsh from Dedham Patch (2022 candidate profiles); Michelle Persson Reilly from her campaign website; James MacDonald from the Massachusetts School Building Authority staff page.
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