How the Dennis Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Chris Flanagan joined the board after the spring 2018 town election; Cleon Turner did not run again. Paul McCormick stayed on as Chair, and Sheryl McMahon was Vice Chair (later minutes say so; the reorganization minutes are not online). This term is shown from the first posted minutes of the new board, November 6, 2018. Covers 20 meetings, November 6 to May 7, 2019.
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.
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
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).
"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 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.
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
May 7Reconsider the article as reflect by the motion provided…Motion: reconsider the article as reflect by the motion provided in supplement…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
May 7, 2019: Reconsider the article as reflect by the motion provided in supplement #2
ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present
Reconsider the article as reflect by the motion provided in supplement #2
The minutes say "The Committee voted", but the motion was made and seconded by Select Board members, so it is listed as a Select Board vote. Paul McCormick had not yet arrived.
From the minutes
“Mr. Terrio made a motion to reconsider the article as reflect by the motion provided in supplement #2. Ms. McMahon seconded the motion. The Committee voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Terrio, second: McMahon)
Apr 30Approved a seasonal wine and malt liquor license for…Motion: approved a seasonal wine and malt liquor license for Global Doghouse,…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 30, 2019: Approved a seasonal wine and malt liquor license for Global Doghouse, LLC d/b/a The Doghouse Restaurant located at 189 Lower County Road, Dennis Port, MA 02639
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Approved a seasonal wine and malt liquor license for Global Doghouse, LLC d/b/a The Doghouse Restaurant located at 189 Lower County Road, Dennis Port, MA 02639
The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Paul McCormick, Sheryl McMahon, John Terrio, Bob Mezzadri and Chris Flanagan). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mezzadri made a motion to approved a seasonal wine and malt liquor license for Global Doghouse, LLC d/b/a The Doghouse Restaurant located at 189 Lower County Road, Dennis Port, MA 02639; Mr. Flanagan seconded. The Board voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Mezzadri, second: Flanagan)
Apr 30Approve Michael Martir as the manager of the facilityMotion: approve Michael Martir as the manager of the facilityPassed 4–0 · see note
April 30, 2019: Approve Michael Martir as the manager of the facility
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Approve Michael Martir as the manager of the facility
The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Paul McCormick, Sheryl McMahon, John Terrio, Bob Mezzadri and Chris Flanagan). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mezzadri made a motion to approve Michael Martir as the manager of the facility; Mr. Flanagan seconded. The Board voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Mezzadri, second: Flanagan)
Apr 30Approve the change of officers, stock and ownership as…Motion: approve the change of officers, stock and ownership as delineated in…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 30, 2019: Approve the change of officers, stock and ownership as delineated in the application for 85 Taunton Inc. d/b/a Chapin's Beach Bar located at 85 Taunton Ave, Dennis, MA 02638
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Approve the change of officers, stock and ownership as delineated in the application for 85 Taunton Inc. d/b/a Chapin's Beach Bar located at 85 Taunton Ave, Dennis, MA 02638
The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Paul McCormick, Sheryl McMahon, John Terrio, Bob Mezzadri and Chris Flanagan). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mezzadri made a motion to approve the change of officers, stock and ownership as delineated in the application for 85 Taunton Inc. d/b/a Chapin's Beach Bar located at 85 Taunton Ave, Dennis, MA 02638; Mr. Flanagan seconded. The Board voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Mezzadri, second: Flanagan)
Apr 30Appoint George Levesque as full member of the Recreation…Motion: to appoint George Levesque as full member of the Recreation Commission…Passed 4–1 · No: Terrio
April 30, 2019: Appoint George Levesque as full member of the Recreation Commission for a term to expire on 3/31/22
AppointPassed · 4–1
To appoint George Levesque as full member of the Recreation Commission for a term to expire on 3/31/22
“McMahon moved to appoint George Levesque as full member of the Recreation Commission for a term to expire on 3/31/22. Bob Mezzadri seconded. John Terrio said that George Levesque started as an alternate a few months ago, as opposed to for a few years. He asked what the Board thinks. Sheryl McMahon responded that with someone who has served for a few months, it is different than appointing someone who has no experience with the Committee. John Terrio said that he has a concern as 4 of the candidates are members of the pickle ball group. He asked if there are other members of the pickle ball group currently on the Recreation Commission. Dustin Pineau shared that Jeff Treiber is a full member of the Recreation Commission and also an active member of the pickle ball group. He had started as an alternate member, but is now a full member. The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1-0 (JT).” (Motion: McMahon, second: Mezzadri)
Apr 30Appoint Erik Lambton as an alternate member of the…Motion: to appoint Erik Lambton as an alternate member of the Recreation…Passed 4–1 · No: McMahon
April 30, 2019: Appoint Erik Lambton as an alternate member of the Recreation Commission for a term to expire 3/31/20
AppointPassed · 4–1
To appoint Erik Lambton as an alternate member of the Recreation Commission for a term to expire 3/31/20
“John Terrio moved to appoint Erik Lambton as an alternate member of the Recreation Commission for a term to expire 3/31/20. Chris Flanagan seconded. The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1-0 (SM).” (Motion: Terrio, second: Flanagan)
Apr 30Approve the all alcohol liquor license for Jamiel Hospitality…Motion: approve the all alcohol liquor license for Jamiel Hospitality Co. LLC…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 30, 2019: Approve the all alcohol liquor license for Jamiel Hospitality Co. LLC d/b/a Ardeo Café and Catering Co. located at 581 Main Street, West Dennis, MA _ 02670 with the operating…
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Approve the all alcohol liquor license for Jamiel Hospitality Co. LLC d/b/a Ardeo Café and Catering Co. located at 581 Main Street, West Dennis, MA _ 02670 with the operating hours of seven days a week from 10am-12am
The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Paul McCormick, Sheryl McMahon, John Terrio, Bob Mezzadri and Chris Flanagan). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mezzadri made a motion to approve the all alcohol liquor license for Jamiel Hospitality Co. LLC d/b/a Ardeo Café and Catering Co. located at 581 Main Street, West Dennis, MA _ 02670 with the operating hours of seven days a week from 10am-12am; Mr. Flanagan seconded. The Board voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Mezzadri, second: Flanagan)
Apr 30Approve an entertainment license for seven days a week…Motion: approve an entertainment license for seven days a week for indoor…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 30, 2019: Approve an entertainment license for seven days a week for indoor entertainment from 4pm to 12midnight and outdoor entertainment from 11am to 9pm for live and recorded entertainment with one...
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Approve an entertainment license for seven days a week for indoor entertainment from 4pm to 12midnight and outdoor entertainment from 11am to 9pm for live and recorded entertainment with one amplifier inside and not outside amplification
The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Paul McCormick, Sheryl McMahon, John Terrio, Bob Mezzadri and Chris Flanagan). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mezzadri made a motion to approve an entertainment license for seven days a week for indoor entertainment from 4pm to 12midnight and outdoor entertainment from 11am to 9pm for live and recorded entertainment with one amplifier inside and not outside amplification; Mr. Flanagan seconded. The Board voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Mezzadri, second: Flanagan)
Apr 30Approve Joseph Jamiel as manager of the establishmentMotion: approve Joseph Jamiel as manager of the establishmentPassed 4–0 · see note
April 30, 2019: Approve Joseph Jamiel as manager of the establishment
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Approve Joseph Jamiel as manager of the establishment
The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Paul McCormick, Sheryl McMahon, John Terrio, Bob Mezzadri and Chris Flanagan). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mezzadri made a motion to approve Joseph Jamiel as manager of the establishment; Ms. McMahon seconded. The Board voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Mezzadri, second: McMahon)
Apr 30Approved the all alcohol package store license for Portside…Motion: approved the all alcohol package store license for Portside Liquors Dennis,…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 30, 2019: Approved the all alcohol package store license for Portside Liquors Dennis, Inc. d/b/a Portside Liquors located at 485 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660 from a transfer from Jill's Corp.…
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Approved the all alcohol package store license for Portside Liquors Dennis, Inc. d/b/a Portside Liquors located at 485 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660 from a transfer from Jill's Corp. d/b/a Harney's Cape Cod Liquors located at 485 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660
The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Paul McCormick, Sheryl McMahon, John Terrio, Bob Mezzadri and Chris Flanagan). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mezzadri made a motion to approved the all alcohol package store license for Portside Liquors Dennis, Inc. d/b/a Portside Liquors located at 485 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660 from a transfer from Jill's Corp. d/b/a Harney's Cape Cod Liquors located at 485 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660; Mr. Flanagan seconded. The Board voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Mezzadri, second: Flanagan)
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)