MassVoter.com← DennisMunicipal votes · 2026–2027 Board
Dennis Select Board
How the Dennis Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Same five members. On May 19, 2026 the board chose Carlyn Carey as Chair, Chris Lambton as Vice Chair, Jim Plath as Licensing Chair, John Terrio as Licensing Vice Chair and Paul McCormick as Clerk (each 5-0). Minutes after September 8, 2026 are not posted yet. Covers 10 meetings so far, May 19 to September 8, 2026.
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 budgetVote Transparency Score
Dennis Select Board: 7.5 out of 10 · Mostly open
How easy Dennis makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the town’s records, not any official. Checked October 4, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for every meeting more than three months old.Full points: 2/2
- Each vote namedThe minutes name members who vote no, but do not always list how each member voted.Part points: 2/3
- Posted quicklyMost minutes go up within about a month, but a recent meeting is still missing.Part points: 1/2
- Past years onlineSelect Board minutes going back decades are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textThe minutes are text you can search and copy.Full points: 1/1
- Member photosThe town’s website shows a group photo of the board with every member named, but no individual photos.Part points: 0.5/1
How the town can raise its score
- Each vote named (+1): On any vote that isn’t unanimous, write how each member voted. For example: “Motion passed 3–2. Yes: Smith, Jones, Lee. No: Brown, Silva.” A roll call on split votes is the simplest way to do this.
- Posted quickly (+1): Post minutes within 30 days. If approval takes longer, post a draft marked “Draft – not yet approved” and replace it later.
- Member photos (+0.5): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the town made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
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.
What Town Meeting decided
In Dennis, 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 5, 2026 47 votes: 44 passed, 2 failed, 1 indefinitely postponed
- Art. 1 Oral reports Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 2 Prior year bills Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 3 FY2026 budget supplements Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 4 FY2027 operating budget Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 5 FY2027 general fund operating budget override (Proposition 2½) Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 6 FY2027 Wastewater Enterprise Fund operating budget Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 7 FY2027 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School assessment and debt service Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 8 FY2027 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School assessment override Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 9 FY2027 Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District assessment and debt service Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 10 FY2027 Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District assessment override Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 11 Capital outlay: raise and appropriate Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 12 Capital outlay: other funding sources Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 13 Fund project manager and designer services for a proposed community center at 901 Route 134 Failed “Article failed by a hand count · 277 yes to 454 no”
- Art. 14 Home rule petition to amend the Waterways Capital Improvement Fund Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 15 General bylaw amendment, section 19-13 Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 16 General bylaw amendment, section 19-15 (Waterways Capital Improvements Fund) Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 17 Waterways user fees Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 18 Sesuit Harbor project bidding Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 19 Community Preservation Committee budget Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 20 Revolving funds Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 21 Fund the firefighters union (IAFF Local 2583) FY26 agreement Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 22 Fund the AFSCME Unit A union agreement Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 23 Fund the SEIU Unit A union agreement Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 24 Fund the SEIU Unit B union agreement Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 25 Fund the Mass Laborers' District Council (MLDC) union agreement Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 26 Transfer from Beach Capital Improvement Fund to Reserve Fund for beach nourishment Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 27 Transfer from Cable Capital Stabilization Fund to Reserve Fund for server room A/C Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 28 Transfer from Beach Capital Improvement Fund to Reserve Fund for a Mobi-Mat Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 29 Transfer from Cable Capital Stabilization Fund to Reserve Fund for Town Meeting production equipment Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 30 Transfer to the OPEB trust fund Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 31 Home rule petition to allow digital publication of legal notices Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 32 Transfer to the Wastewater Stabilization Fund Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 33 FY2027 elected officials' salaries Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 34 Accept MGL c.23B s.32 (seasonal community designation) Passed “Article passed by a hand count · 166 yes to 82 no”
- Art. 35 Accept MGL c.59 s.5 clause 22G Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 36 Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District PEG access funding Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 37 Cape Media Center PEG access funding Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 38 Capital outlay from the Capital Improvement Fund Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 39 Easements for the wastewater treatment facility project Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 40 Brush grinder Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 41 Emergency management Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 42 Supplemental funding for golf barn upgrades for electric carts Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 43 West Dennis Beach project bidding Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 44 Appointed Town Clerk Failed “Article failed by a hand count · 53 yes to 123 no”
- Art. 45 Transfer to the General Purpose Stabilization Fund Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 46 Building repairs and maintenance Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 47 Transfer to the Capital Improvement Fund Indefinitely postponed “Article was indefinitely postponed by a Unanimous Vote in Favor”
Source: Town Clerk's Annual Town Meeting results (quantum of vote), May 5, 2026.
Special Town Meeting · October 21, 2025 21 votes: 17 passed, 3 indefinitely postponed, 1 other
- Art. 1 Accept MGL c.148 s.26H and 26I (sprinkler requirements) Indefinitely postponed “(Indefinitely Postponed)”
- Art. 2 Approve department fee changes Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 3 FY2026 Wastewater Enterprise Fund operating budget Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 4 CPA grant: Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox player safety project Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 5 CPA grant: Cultural Center of Cape Cod entrance columns Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 6 CPA grant: restore Chapman baseball field at Wixon Middle School Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 7 CPA grant: preserve and restore the Cape Cinema Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 8 CPA grant to the Dennis Affordable Housing Trust Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 9 Fund project manager and designer services for 187 Upper County Road Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 10 Adopt the short-term rental community impact fee (MGL c.64G s.3D(a)) Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 11 Childcare subsidies Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 12 Matching funds for Bass River dredge permit Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 13 Seaview Park project Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 14 Sesuit Harbor West design and construction project Indefinitely postponed “(Indefinitely Postponed)”
- Art. 15 Change the designation of Fire Station 2, Old Bass River Road Passed “Majority Vote in Favor”
- Art. 16 Bylaw amendment on Town Meetings (moderator) Passed “Article passed by a hand count · 258 yes to 18 no”
- Art. 17 Bylaw amendment on Town Meetings (reconsideration of votes) Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 18 Grant an easement to Boston Gas on 120 Theophilus F. Smith Road Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 19 Supplemental funding for the Johnny Kelley Park building Passed “Unanimous Vote in Favor”
- Art. 20 Non-binding question on a residential tax exemption Other “Motion was made to further discuss on the Town Meeting floor.”
- Art. 21 Citizen petition: amend Select Board hawkers and peddlers policy Indefinitely postponed “(Indefinitely Postponed)”
Source: Town Clerk's Special Town Meeting results (quantum of vote), October 21, 2025.
Annual Town Meeting · May 6, 2025 37 votes: 33 passed, 2 failed, 1 indefinitely postponed, 1 no action
- Art. 1 Hear reports of Town officers and committees No action “no vote was needed”
- Art. 2 Transfer $4,199 from free cash to pay a prior year bill Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 3 FY2025 budget supplements totaling $667,924 Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 4 FY2026 operating budget: raise and appropriate $45,649,180, plus transfers Passed “voted by majority”
- Art. 5 Transfer $272,698 from Wastewater Stabilization Fund for FY2026 Wastewater Enterprise Fund budget Failed “thus defeated · 72 in favor to 294 opposed”
- Art. 6 Set FY2026 salaries of elected officers ($110,720 total) Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 7 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School FY2026 assessment and debt service ($2,165,086) Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 8 Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District FY2026 assessment and debt service ($21,547,743) Passed “voted by majority”
- Art. 9 Appropriate $24,462 from PEG Access fund for Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District access TV Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 10 Appropriate $195,699 from PEG Access fund for Cape Media Center Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 11 Capital outlay totaling $2,709,324 Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 12 Borrow $2,085,000 to replace a pumper truck and a forestry truck, subject to a debt exclusion Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 13 Borrow $754,090 to replace a loader and a roll-off truck Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 14 Capital outlay of $1,339,885 from capital funds Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 15 Transfer $4,200,000 for repairs and maintenance of Town buildings Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 16 Transfer $654,000 from free cash for design services for Carleton Hall and West Dennis Graded School Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 17 Appropriate $275,000 from Private Road Betterment Fund to retire a note Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 18 Community Preservation budget: reserve $571,581 and appropriate $197,000 Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 19 Transfer $55,000 from Capital Improvement Fund for seven election tabulators Passed “voted 351 in favor, 5 opposed · 351 in favor, 5 opposed”
- Art. 20 Transfer $360,000 from free cash for computer software and technology Passed “voted by majority”
- Art. 21 Borrow $525,250 for temporary repairs to Lombardi Heights private road, paid by betterments Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 22 Transfer $81,325 to fund seasonal salary increases Passed “voted by majority”
- Art. 23 Set FY2026 revolving fund spending limits Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 24 Accept clauses 22I and 22J for annual increases in veterans' and other exemptions Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 25 Transfer $500,000 from free cash to the OPEB trust fund Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 26 Zoning amendments for accessory dwelling units (protected ADUs) Passed “voted by majority”
- Art. 27 Zoning amendment on lot merger for previously non-buildable lots Passed “voted by majority”
- Art. 28 Transfer $225,661 to fund a contract with the patrol officers union Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 29 Transfer $21,183 to fund a contract with the police sergeants union Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 30 Transfer $48,859 to fund a contract with the superior officers union Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 31 Fund a contract with the firefighters union (IAFF Local 2583) Indefinitely postponed “voted by majority to indefinitely postpone”
- Art. 32 Borrow $7,500,000 to replace golf course irrigation systems, subject to a debt exclusion Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 33 Appropriate $8,000,000 for Sesuit Harbor West design and construction, subject to a debt exclusion Failed “thus defeated · 79 in favor, 235 opposed”
- Art. 34 Amend the dog and animal bylaw (Ch. 79) on leashing, restraint and penalties Passed “voted by majority”
- Art. 35 Transfer $1,000,000 from free cash to the Capital Improvement Fund Passed “voted by majority”
- Art. 36 Transfer $315,000 from free cash to the General Purpose Stabilization Fund Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 37 Transfer $85,000 from free cash to demolish Fire Station 2 on Old Bass River Road Passed “voted by majority”
Source: Town Clerk's minutes of the May 6, 2025 Annual Town Meeting.
Special Town Meeting · October 1, 2024 19 votes: 18 passed, 1 failed
- Art. 1 FY2025 budget supplements totaling $83,609 Passed “voted unanimously”
- Art. 2 Approve department fee changes Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 3 Appropriate $223,000 in CPA funds to retire a note for West Schoolhouse repairs Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 4 Appropriate $1,338,114 in CPA funds for a new Johnny Kelley Park recreation building Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 5 Appropriate $644,120 in CPA funds to preserve and restore the Josiah Dennis Manse Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 6 Appropriate $304,929 in CPA housing reserves for a Housing Coordinator, FY2025-FY2028 Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 7 Raise Water Infrastructure Investment Fund surcharge from 1% to 3%, pending a ballot vote Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 8 Transfer $57,600 from Landfill Solar fund for childcare subsidies Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 9 Borrow $246,200,000 for Phase 1 of the wastewater plan, subject to a debt exclusion Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 10 Set FY2025 revolving fund spending limits Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 11 Approve new rental fees for rooms at the Dennis Center for Active Living Failed “defeated by a majority vote”
- Art. 12 Transfer $140,000 from Waterways Dredge fund for Swan River dredge permitting Passed “voted by majority”
- Art. 13 Transfer $72,000 for a classification market adjustment for the AFSCME A unit Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 14 Transfer $79,260 from free cash for Old South Dennis Cemetery and Liberty Field improvements Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 15 Transfer $440,000 from free cash to acquire 61A Old Hills Road for cemetery purposes Passed “it was voted 407 yes to 10 no · 407 yes to 10 no”
- Art. 16 Authorize a wetlands monitoring contract longer than three years Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 17 Transfer $150,000 from free cash to update the Local Comprehensive Plan Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 18 Transfer $38,090 from free cash to update Town phone systems for E911 compliance Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 19 Transfer $19,980 from free cash for a new data backup and recovery system Passed “unanimously voted”
Source: Town Clerk's minutes of the October 1, 2024 Special Town Meeting.
Annual Town Meeting · May 7, 2024 28 votes: 25 passed, 1 failed, 2 no action
- Art. 1 Hear reports of Town officers and committees No action “no vote was needed”
- Art. 2 Hear unpublished committee reports No action “no vote was needed”
- Art. 3 FY2024 budget supplements totaling $491,129 (snow and ice, fire overtime, private road interest) Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 4 FY2025 operating budget: raise and appropriate $44,316,060, plus transfers Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 5 Set FY2025 salaries of elected officers ($106,863 total) Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 6 Cape Cod Regional Technical High School FY2025 assessment and debt service ($1,812,761) Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 7 Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District FY2025 assessment and debt service ($20,799,368) Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 8 Appropriate $25,665 from PEG Access fund for Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District access TV Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 9 Appropriate $205,320 from PEG Access fund for Cape Media Center Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 10 Capital outlay: raise $2,139,496 and transfer $23,013 and $298,081 from other sources Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 11 Borrow $2,970,000 to replace a ladder truck and an ambulance Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 12 Capital outlay of $1,296,250 from beach, dredge and golf capital funds, with lease-purchase authority Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 13 Transfer $1,250,000 for repairs and maintenance of Town buildings Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 14 Spend $6,702 from the Shellfish Mitigation Fund for shellfish propagation Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 15 Community Preservation budget: reserve $701,700 and appropriate $277,500 Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 16 Authorize acquiring 120 Theophilus P. Smith Road for wastewater purposes and confirm a 1975 taking Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 17 Authorize acquiring land or easements for wastewater pumping stations and treatment facility Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 18 Transfer part of the Ezra Baker School site at 810 Route 28 to wastewater purposes Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 19 Accept MGL c.44 s.53F1/2 to create a Wastewater Enterprise Fund Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 20 Transfer $725,000 from the Wastewater Stabilization Fund for wastewater planning and design Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 21 Transfer $144,000 from free cash for security upgrades at municipal facilities Passed “voted by majority”
- Art. 22 Transfer $84,000 for a classification market adjustment for MLDC and CM bargaining units Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 23 Transfer $50,000 from Beach Capital Improvement Fund for Corporation Beach sand nourishment Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 24 Raise and appropriate $15,000 for the fuel assistance program Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 25 Transfer $200,000 from free cash to the OPEB trust fund Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 26 Transfer $540,000 from free cash to the Capital Stabilization Fund Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 27 Transfer $250,000 from free cash to the General Purpose Stabilization Fund Passed “unanimously voted”
- Art. 28 Citizen petition: repeal ban on recreational marijuana establishments and allow retail by special permit Failed “Article failed by a hand count · 130 yes to 98 no”
Source: Town Clerk's minutes of the May 7, 2024 Annual Town Meeting.
Special Town Meeting · February 29, 2024 5 votes: 5 passed
- Art. 1 Approve department fee changes (short-term rental registration, Sesuit Harbor parking, dock box, demolition debris) Passed “voted 169 yes to 87 no · 169 yes to 87 no”
- Art. 2 Dedicate 80% of the short-term rental registration fee to the Wastewater Stabilization Fund Passed “voted 254 yes to 2 no · 254 yes to 2 no”
- Art. 3 Authorize acquiring 187 Upper County Road for affordable housing, open space, recreation and parking Passed “voted 243 yes to 18 no · 243 yes to 18 no”
- Art. 4 Transfer $500,000 from free cash to demolish the building at 187 Upper County Road Passed “voted by majority”
- Art. 5 Transfer $40,000 from free cash for assessment, survey and testing of 187 Upper County Road Passed “it was voted by majority”
Source: Town Clerk's minutes of the February 29, 2024 Special Town Meeting.
Not here yet: the October 6, 2026 Special Town Meeting (results not posted yet).
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).
Members
ChairCarlyn CareyChair · Elected townwide · at 9 of 10 meetings
Vice-ChairChris LambtonVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 9 of 10 meetings
Paul McCormickClerk · Elected townwide · at 9 of 10 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Jim PlathLicensing Chair · Elected townwide · at 10 of 10 meetings
John TerrioLicensing Vice Chair · Elected townwide · at 9 of 10 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.
Attendance
23 full-board meetings so far this year, through September 8. Ties share a rank.
1Jim Plath23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%2Paul McCormick21 of 23 meetings91%3Carlyn Carey20 of 23 meetings87%3Chris Lambton20 of 23 meetings87%3John Terrio20 of 23 meetings87%23 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Jim Plath23 of 23 meetings Every meeting100%2Carlyn Carey22 of 23 meetings96%2Chris Lambton22 of 23 meetings96%2John Terrio22 of 23 meetings96%5Paul McCormick20 of 23 meetings87%24 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Jim Plath24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%2Carlyn Carey22 of 24 meetings92%2Chris Lambton22 of 24 meetings92%2John Terrio22 of 24 meetings92%5Paul McCormick21 of 24 meetings88%27 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Chris Lambton27 of 27 meetings Every meeting100%2Jim Plath25 of 27 meetings93%3Chris Flanagan9 of 10 meetings · served until May90%4Paul McCormick24 of 27 meetings89%5Carlyn Carey15 of 17 meetings · served from May88%6John Terrio22 of 27 meetings81%33 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1John Terrio32 of 33 meetings97%2Jim Plath21 of 22 meetings · served from May95%3Chris Flanagan30 of 33 meetings91%3Chris Lambton30 of 33 meetings91%5Paul McCormick28 of 33 meetings85%6Sheryl McMahon6 of 11 meetings · served until May55%34 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1Chris Flanagan34 of 34 meetings Every meeting100%2Paul McCormick33 of 34 meetings97%3Chris Lambton31 of 34 meetings91%3John Terrio31 of 34 meetings91%5Sheryl McMahon30 of 34 meetings88%27 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1Chris Flanagan26 of 27 meetings96%1Chris Lambton26 of 27 meetings96%1John Terrio26 of 27 meetings96%4Bob Mezzadri15 of 16 meetings · served until Jun94%5Paul McCormick10 of 11 meetings · served from Aug91%6Sheryl McMahon23 of 27 meetings85%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent. Not shown: 2018, 2019, because too many of that year’s meetings are missing from the posted minutes.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Select Board minutes from January 9, 2018 through September 8, 2026. Minutes from February 28, 2023 on come from the town’s online Agenda Center; earlier minutes come from the Select Board folder of the town’s Laserfiche records archive, which holds minutes back to the 1960s (MassVoter has loaded 2018 on). Not here: executive-session minutes; minutes the town has not posted online, including February 7 to November 5, 2018, June 26 to September 23, 2019, October 22, 2019, June 13 to August 10, 2020, 18 meetings from 2023 to 2025 that have an agenda but no minutes online (mostly workshops and joint sessions), and meetings after September 8, 2026 (the August 11, 2026 minutes are not posted yet either). The 2018 to 2022 minutes are scanned copies, which MassVoter read with text-recognition software; a few unclear numbers were checked against the page images. Dennis’s minutes usually give a count such as “The Board voted 4-1-0 (McMahon)” or “VOTE: 4-0-1 (Paul McCormick abstained)”, and many votes, especially in 2020 and 2021, are roll calls listing each member’s vote. When the count matches the members present, we show every member present as voting yes, and when the minutes name the members who voted no or abstained, everyone else present as voting yes. Members the minutes say stepped aside (recused), left or had not yet arrived are left out of those votes. Where the minutes give only a split count without names, the count does not match the members present, a roll call lists a member the minutes do not show as present, or the names and the count do not match, we show the count only and add a note. A few votes have no count written down; we show those as passed with no count. Votes taken by other boards at joint meetings (such as the Finance Committee) are not included. 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.
Aug 25Approve the application of Players Market Corporation d/b/a Players…Motion: to approve the application of Players Market Corporation d/b/a Players Market,…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: McCormick
August 25, 2026: Approve the application of Players Market Corporation d/b/a Players Market, located at 1592 Main Street East Dennis, for the transfer of an Annual All Alcohol Package Store Liquor License for…
To approve the application of Players Market Corporation d/b/a Players Market, located at 1592 Main Street East Dennis, for the transfer of an Annual All Alcohol Package Store Liquor License for the hours of Monday through Saturday 8:00am to 11:00pm; and Sunday, for the hours of 10:00am to 11:00pm
Yes: Carey, Lambton, PlathAbstained: McCormickThe minutes give the count as 3-0-0 and name Paul McCormick as abstaining; the abstention is not in the count.
From the minutes
“Chris Lambton moved to approve the application of Players Market Corporation d/b/a Players Market, located at 1592 Main Street East Dennis, for the transfer of an Annual All Alcohol Package Store Liquor License for the hours of Monday through Saturday 8:00am to 11:00pm; and Sunday, for the hours of 10:00am to 11:00pm. Carlyn Carey seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. Vote: 3-0-0 (Paul McCormick abstained).” (Motion: Lambton, second: Carey)
Aug 25Approve the application of Players Market Corporation d/b/a Players…Motion: to approve the application of Players Market Corporation d/b/a Players Market,…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: McCormick
August 25, 2026: Approve the application of Players Market Corporation d/b/a Players Market, located at 1592 Main Street East Dennis for the transfer of an Annual All Alcohol Package Store Liquor License with…
To approve the application of Players Market Corporation d/b/a Players Market, located at 1592 Main Street East Dennis for the transfer of an Annual All Alcohol Package Store Liquor License with the manager on site to be Bhadresh Patel
Yes: Carey, Lambton, PlathAbstained: McCormickThe minutes give the count as 3-0-0 and name Paul McCormick as abstaining; the abstention is not in the count.
From the minutes
“Chris Lambton moved to approve the application of Players Market Corporation d/b/a Players Market, located at 1592 Main Street East Dennis for the transfer of an Annual All Alcohol Package Store Liquor License with the manager on site to be Bhadresh Patel. Carlyn Carey seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. Vote: 3-0-0 (Paul McCormick abstained).” (Motion: Lambton, second: Carey)
Aug 25Approve an Annual Weekday Outdoor Entertainment License for Wychmere…Motion: to approve an Annual Weekday Outdoor Entertainment License for Wychmere Franks,…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: McCormick
August 25, 2026: Approve an Annual Weekday Outdoor Entertainment License for Wychmere Franks, LLC d/b/a Doghouse located at 1 Glendon Road Dennis Port, for the hours of 4:30pm to 8:30pm, Thursday through Sunday;...
To approve an Annual Weekday Outdoor Entertainment License for Wychmere Franks, LLC d/b/a Doghouse located at 1 Glendon Road Dennis Port, for the hours of 4:30pm to 8:30pm, Thursday through Sunday; limited to one (1) musician and no amplifier
Yes: Carey, Lambton, PlathAbstained: McCormickThe minutes give the count as 3-0-0 and name Paul McCormick as abstaining; the abstention is not in the count.
From the minutes
“Chris Lambton moved to approve an Annual Weekday Outdoor Entertainment License for Wychmere Franks, LLC d/b/a Doghouse located at 1 Glendon Road Dennis Port, for the hours of 4:30pm to 8:30pm, Thursday through Sunday; limited to one (1) musician and no amplifier. Carlyn Carey seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. Vote: 3-0-0 (Paul McCormick abstained).” (Motion: Lambton, second: Carey)
Aug 25Approve the grant relocation of James MacKirdy from license…Motion: to approve the grant relocation of James MacKirdy from license site…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Lambton
August 25, 2026: Approve the grant relocation of James MacKirdy from license site CCB: 23-4A to CCB: 23-1E for the remainder of the license term set to expire on November 4, 2030
To approve the grant relocation of James MacKirdy from license site CCB: 23-4A to CCB: 23-1E for the remainder of the license term set to expire on November 4, 2030
Yes: Carey, McCormick, PlathAbstained: LambtonThe minutes give the count as 3-0-0 and name Chris Lambton as abstaining; the abstention is not in the count.
From the minutes
“Paul McCormick moved to approve the grant relocation of James MacKirdy from license site CCB: 23-4A to CCB: 23-1E for the remainder of the license term set to expire on November 4, 2030. Jim Plath seconded the motion. Vote: 3-0-0 (Chris Lambton abstained).” (Motion: McCormick, second: Plath)
Aug 25Continuance of this public hearing to September 29, 2026Motion: continuance of this public hearing to September 29, 2026Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Lambton
August 25, 2026: Continuance of this public hearing to September 29, 2026
Continuance of this public hearing to September 29, 2026
Yes: Carey, McCormick, PlathAbstained: LambtonThe minutes give the count as 3-0-0 and name Chris Lambton as abstaining; the abstention is not in the count.
From the minutes
“Paul McCormick moved continuance of this public hearing to September 29, 2026. Jim Plath seconded the motion. Vote: 3-0-0 (Chris Lambton abstained).” (Motion: McCormick, second: Plath)
Aug 25Amend the Community Preservation Committee Grant Agreement with the…Motion: to amend the Community Preservation Committee Grant Agreement with the Dennis…Passed 3–1 · No: Plath
August 25, 2026: Amend the Community Preservation Committee Grant Agreement with the Dennis Municipal Affordable Housing Trust by deleting Sections 2D and 10
To amend the Community Preservation Committee Grant Agreement with the Dennis Municipal Affordable Housing Trust by deleting Sections 2D and 10
Yes: Carey, Lambton, McCormickNo: Plath
From the minutes
“Chris Lambton moved to amend the Community Preservation Committee Grant Agreement with the Dennis Municipal Affordable Housing Trust by deleting Sections 2D and 10. Paul McCormick seconded the motion. Vote: 3-1-0 (Jim Plath opposed).” (Motion: Lambton, second: McCormick)
Jul 28Approve and execute the Crowell-Sesuit Creek Conservation Restriction for…Motion: to approve and execute the Crowell-Sesuit Creek Conservation Restriction for the…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: McCormick
July 28, 2026: Approve and execute the Crowell-Sesuit Creek Conservation Restriction for the property located at 209 Sesuit Neck Road, East Dennis, MA 02641
To approve and execute the Crowell-Sesuit Creek Conservation Restriction for the property located at 209 Sesuit Neck Road, East Dennis, MA 02641
Yes: Carey, Lambton, Plath, TerrioAbstained: McCormickThe minutes give the count as 4-0-0 and name Paul McCormick as abstaining; the abstention is not in the count.
From the minutes
“Chris Lambton moved to approve and execute the Crowell-Sesuit Creek Conservation Restriction for the property located at 209 Sesuit Neck Road, East Dennis, MA 02641. John Terrio seconded the motion. Vote: 4-0-0 (Paul McCormick abstained).” (Motion: Lambton, second: Terrio)
Jun 30Appoint Bethany Cassin Gaita to the 1867 West Dennis…Motion: to appoint Bethany Cassin Gaita to the 1867 West Dennis Graded…Passed 3–0 · see note
June 30, 2026 (Special meeting): Appoint Bethany Cassin Gaita to the 1867 West Dennis Graded School House for a one (1) full-term to expire March 31, 2029
To appoint Bethany Cassin Gaita to the 1867 West Dennis Graded School House for a one (1) full-term to expire March 31, 2029
The minutes give the count as 3-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Carlyn Carey, Chris Lambton, Jim Plath, Paul McCormick and John Terrio). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Chris Lambton moved to appoint Bethany Cassin Gaita to the 1867 West Dennis Graded School House for a one (1) full-term to expire March 31, 2029. Jim Plath seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. Vote: 3-0-0.” (Motion: Lambton, second: Plath)
Jun 30Appoint Jennifer Goodwin to the Advisory Committee on Disabilities…Motion: to appoint Jennifer Goodwin to the Advisory Committee on Disabilities for…Passed 4–0 · see note
June 30, 2026 (Special meeting): Appoint Jennifer Goodwin to the Advisory Committee on Disabilities for a three (3) year full-term to expire March 31, 2029
To appoint Jennifer Goodwin to the Advisory Committee on Disabilities for a three (3) year full-term to expire March 31, 2029
The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Carlyn Carey, Chris Lambton, Jim Plath, Paul McCormick and John Terrio). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Paul McCormick moved to appoint Jennifer Goodwin to the Advisory Committee on Disabilities for a three (3) year full-term to expire March 31, 2029. Chris Lambton seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. Vote: 4-0-0.” (Motion: McCormick, second: Lambton)
Jun 30Appoint Jennifer Marinella to the Alternate position on the…Motion: to appoint Jennifer Marinella to the Alternate position on the Alternative…Passed 4–0 · see note
June 30, 2026 (Special meeting): Appoint Jennifer Marinella to the Alternate position on the Alternative Energy Advisory Committee for a two (2) year term to expire March 31, 2028
To appoint Jennifer Marinella to the Alternate position on the Alternative Energy Advisory Committee for a two (2) year term to expire March 31, 2028
The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Carlyn Carey, Chris Lambton, Jim Plath, Paul McCormick and John Terrio). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Chris Lambton moved to appoint Jennifer Marinella to the Alternate position on the Alternative Energy Advisory Committee for a two (2) year term to expire March 31, 2028. Paul McCormick seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. Vote: 4-0-0.” (Motion: Lambton, second: McCormick)
From the Dennis Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (2023 on) and its Laserfiche records archive (earlier years). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Dennis (Select Board page)
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →