How the Dennis Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Jim Plath joined the board after the May 2022 town election; Sheryl McMahon left. On May 17, 2022 the board chose Chris Lambton as Chair, John Terrio as Vice Chair (and so Licensing Vice Chair), Jim Plath as Licensing Chair and Paul McCormick as Clerk (each 5-0). Covers 32 meetings, May 17 to May 2, 2023.
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 2Not endorse Article 40 at Special Town MeetingMotion: to not endorse Article 40 at Special Town MeetingFailed 0–5 · see note
May 2, 2023: Not endorse Article 40 at Special Town Meeting
ApproveFailed · 0–5
To not endorse Article 40 at Special Town Meeting
The minutes give the count as 0-5-0, but the roll call reads: Chris Lambton yes, Chris Flanagan yes, John Terrio yes, Paul McCormick yes, Jim Plath yes. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Chris Flanagan moved to not endorse Article 40 at Special Town Meeting, Jim Plath seconded the motion. Lambton aye, Flanagan aye, Terrio aye, McCormick aye, Plath aye. The Board voted 0-5-0.” (Motion: Flanagan, second: Plath)
“Jim Plath made a motion to approve the application and Chris Lambton' seconded. Plath aye, Lambton aye, Terrio aye. The Board voted 3-0-1 (Paul McCormick abstained.” (Motion: Plath, second: Lambton)
Apr 25Further vote that that we authorize and direct the…Motion: further vote that that we authorize and direct the Town Treasurer…Passed 5–0 · see note
April 25, 2023: Further vote that that we authorize and direct the Town Treasurer to establish post issuance federal tax compliance procedures and continuing disclosure procedures in such forms as the Town...
Adopt orderPassed · 5–0
Further vote that that we authorize and direct the Town Treasurer to establish post issuance federal tax compliance procedures and continuing disclosure procedures in such forms as the Town Treasurer and bond counsel deem sufficient, or if such procedures are currently in place, to review and update said procedures, in order to monitor and maintain the tax-exempt status of the Bonds and to comply with relevant securities laws
The minutes give the count as 5-0-0, but 4 members were present for this vote (Chris Lambton, Jim Plath, John Terrio and Paul McCormick). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Jim Plath made a motion to further vote that that we authorize and direct the Town Treasurer to establish post issuance federal tax compliance procedures and continuing disclosure procedures in such forms as the Town Treasurer and bond counsel deem sufficient, or if such procedures are currently in place, to review and update said procedures, in order to monitor and maintain the tax-exempt status of the Bonds and to comply with relevant securities laws. Paul McCormick seconded the vote and the Board voted unanimously in favor. The Board voted 5-0-0.” (Motion: Plath, second: McCormick)
Apr 25Accept the resignation of Brian McManus from the Recreation…Motion: to accept the resignation of Brian McManus from the Recreation CommissionPassed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
April 25, 2023: Accept the resignation of Brian McManus from the Recreation Commission
AppointPassed · Unanimous, 3 present
To accept the resignation of Brian McManus from the Recreation Commission
Jim Plath had left the meeting.
From the minutes
“Paul McCormick moved to accept the resignation of Brian McManus from the Recreation Commission. John Terrio seconded. The Board unanimously in favor. The Board voted 3-0-0.” (Motion: McCormick, second: Terrio)
Apr 14Place and support a transfer $570, 000 from Free…Motion: to place and support a transfer $570, 000 from Free Cash…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
April 14, 2023: Place and support a transfer $570, 000 from Free Cash to the General-Purpose Stabilization Fund for the purpose of Article 38
ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present
To place and support a transfer $570, 000 from Free Cash to the General-Purpose Stabilization Fund for the purpose of Article 38
The minutes do not name a seconder.
From the minutes
“Paul McCormick moved to place and support a transfer $570, 000 from Free Cash to the General-Purpose Stabilization Fund for the purpose of Article 38. Lambton aye, McCormick aye, Terrio aye, Flanagan aye. The Board voted unanimously in favor. VOTE: 4-0-0.” (Motion: McCormick)
Apr 14Place and support a transfer of $350,000 from Landfill,…Motion: place and support a transfer of $350,000 from Landfill, Solar, Special…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
April 14, 2023: Place and support a transfer of $350,000 from Landfill, Solar, Special Revenue Fund and a transfer of $570,000 from Free Cash for the purpose of Article 21
ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present
Place and support a transfer of $350,000 from Landfill, Solar, Special Revenue Fund and a transfer of $570,000 from Free Cash for the purpose of Article 21
The minutes do not name a seconder.
From the minutes
“Paul McCormick made a motion to place and support a transfer of $350,000 from Landfill, Solar, Special Revenue Fund and a transfer of $570,000 from Free Cash for the purpose of Article 21. Lambton aye, McCormick aye, Terrio aye, Flanagan aye. The Board voted unanimously in favor. VOTE: 4-0-0.” (Motion: McCormick)
Apr 11Reappoint Hussam Awad to the Advisory Committee on Disabilities…Motion: to reappoint Hussam Awad to the Advisory Committee on Disabilities with…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
April 11, 2023: Reappoint Hussam Awad to the Advisory Committee on Disabilities with a term to expire March 31, 2026
AppointPassed · Unanimous, 4 present
To reappoint Hussam Awad to the Advisory Committee on Disabilities with a term to expire March 31, 2026
Chris Flanagan stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“John Terrio moved to reappoint Hussam Awad to the Advisory Committee on Disabilities with a term to expire March 31, 2026. Paul McCormick seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Terrio, second: McCormick)
Apr 11Reappoint John Lowell to the Agricultural Commission with a…Motion: to reappoint John Lowell to the Agricultural Commission with a term…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
April 11, 2023: Reappoint John Lowell to the Agricultural Commission with a term to expire March 31, 2026
AppointPassed · Unanimous, 4 present
To reappoint John Lowell to the Agricultural Commission with a term to expire March 31, 2026
Chris Flanagan stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“John Terrio moved to reappoint John Lowell to the Agricultural Commission with a term to expire March 31, 2026. Paul McCormick seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Terrio, second: McCormick)
Apr 11Reappoint Mark Lambdin, David SanClemente, Michael Sarli and Carolyn…Motion: to reappoint Mark Lambdin, David SanClemente, Michael Sarli and Carolyn Solomon…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
April 11, 2023: Reappoint Mark Lambdin, David SanClemente, Michael Sarli and Carolyn Solomon to the Alternative Energy Advisory Committee with terms to expire March 31, 2026; and to reappoint David Langan as an...
AppointPassed · Unanimous, 4 present
To reappoint Mark Lambdin, David SanClemente, Michael Sarli and Carolyn Solomon to the Alternative Energy Advisory Committee with terms to expire March 31, 2026; and to reappoint David Langan as an Alternate with a term to expire March 31, 2025
Chris Flanagan stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“John Terrio moved to reappoint Mark Lambdin, David SanClemente, Michael Sarli and Carolyn Solomon to the Alternative Energy Advisory Committee with terms to expire March 31, 2026; and to reappoint David Langan as an Alternate with a term to expire March 31, 2025. Paul McCormick seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Terrio, second: McCormick)
Apr 11Reappoint Sharon Deane, Jane Derman and Helene Savicki to…Motion: to reappoint Sharon Deane, Jane Derman and Helene Savicki to the…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
April 11, 2023: Reappoint Sharon Deane, Jane Derman and Helene Savicki to the Beach Committee with terms to expire March 31, 2026; and to reappoint Marc Goldberg as an Alternate with a term…
AppointPassed · Unanimous, 4 present
To reappoint Sharon Deane, Jane Derman and Helene Savicki to the Beach Committee with terms to expire March 31, 2026; and to reappoint Marc Goldberg as an Alternate with a term to expire March 31, 2024
Chris Flanagan stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“John Terrio to reappoint Sharon Deane, Jane Derman and Helene Savicki to the Beach Committee with terms to expire March 31, 2026; and to reappoint Marc Goldberg as an Alternate with a term to expire March 31, 2024. Paul McCormick seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0.” (Motion: Terrio, 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)