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Municipal votes · 2024–2025 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 (John Terrio was re-elected in May 2024). On June 4, 2024 the board chose Chris Lambton as Chair, Paul McCormick as Vice Chair, John Terrio as Clerk, Jim Plath as Licensing Chair and Carlyn Carey as Licensing Vice Chair (each 4-0). Covers 21 meetings, June 4 to April 29, 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.

Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budget
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

Your Dennis ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.

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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

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

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

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

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

Source: Town Clerk's minutes of the May 7, 2024 Annual Town Meeting.

Special Town Meeting · February 29, 2024 5 votes: 5 passed

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

Paul McCormickVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 18 of 21 meetingsJim PlathLicensing Chair · Elected townwide · at 21 of 21 meetingsJohn TerrioClerk · Elected townwide · at 21 of 21 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.

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.

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 · Regular meeting16 recorded votes, 5 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, April 15, 2025 · Regular meeting11 recorded votes, 2 with disagreementAbsent: Carlyn CareyTuesday, April 1, 2025 · Regular meeting29 recorded votes, 15 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, March 18, 2025 · Regular meeting28 recorded votes, 5 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, March 4, 2025 · Regular meeting15 recorded votes, 2 with disagreementAll 5 members present

Votes where members disagreed

Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.

Apr 29Approve the application of ZK Group, Inc. d.b.aMotion: to approve the application of ZK Group, Inc. d.b.a. Paradise Liquors…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: McCormick

April 29, 2025: Approve the application of ZK Group, Inc. d.b.a

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To approve the application of ZK Group, Inc. d.b.a. Paradise Liquors located at 66 School Street, West Dennis for multiple amendments to their existing Seasonal All Alcohol license including change in officers, change in stock interests, change in corporation name from ZK Group, Inc. to Alyaan Group, Inc. d.b.a. ZS Mart, change in manager from Krishna Timalsina to Zohaib Shahid, change in d.b.a. from Paradise Liquors to ZS Mart, and change in location from 66 School Street, West Dennis to 430 Route 134, South Dennis

Yes: Carey, Lambton, Plath, TerrioAbstained: McCormick

From the minutes

“Paul McCormick moved to approve the application of ZK Group, Inc. d.b.a. Paradise Liquors located at 66 School Street, West Dennis for multiple amendments to their existing Seasonal All Alcohol license including change in officers, change in stock interests, change in corporation name from ZK Group, Inc. to Alyaan Group, Inc. d.b.a. ZS Mart, change in manager from Krishna Timalsina to Zohaib Shahid, change in d.b.a. from Paradise Liquors to ZS Mart, and change in location from 66 School Street, West Dennis to 430 Route 134, South Dennis. Chris Lambton seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. VOTE: 4-0-1 (Paul McCormick abstained).” (Motion: McCormick, second: Lambton)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Apr 29Table the discussion for now and move further discussion…Motion: to table the discussion for now and move further discussion to…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Lambton

April 29, 2025: Table the discussion for now and move further discussion to the next Select Board meeting on May 20th

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To table the discussion for now and move further discussion to the next Select Board meeting on May 20th

Yes: Carey, McCormick, Plath, TerrioAbstained: Lambton

From the minutes

“Carlyn Carey moved to table the discussion for now and move further discussion to the next Select Board meeting on May 20th. John Terrio seconded the motion. VOTE: 4-0-1 (Chris Lambton abstained).” (Motion: Carey, second: Terrio)

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Apr 29Renew the Seasonal Weekday Entertainment Licenses for Sundae School…Motion: to renew the Seasonal Weekday Entertainment Licenses for Sundae School Ice…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: McCormick

April 29, 2025: Renew the Seasonal Weekday Entertainment Licenses for Sundae School Ice Cream Parlor, Holiday Hill Family Amusements, and Holiday Hill Mini-Golf until November 30, 2025

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To renew the Seasonal Weekday Entertainment Licenses for Sundae School Ice Cream Parlor, Holiday Hill Family Amusements, and Holiday Hill Mini-Golf until November 30, 2025

Yes: Carey, Lambton, Plath, TerrioAbstained: McCormick

From the minutes

“Carlyn Carey moved to renew the Seasonal Weekday Entertainment Licenses for Sundae School Ice Cream Parlor, Holiday Hill Family Amusements, and Holiday Hill Mini-Golf until November 30, 2025. John Terrio seconded the motion. VOTE: 4-0-1 (Paul McCormick abstained).” (Motion: Carey, second: Terrio)

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Apr 29Renew the Seasonal Sunday Entertainment Licenses for Sundae School…Motion: to renew the Seasonal Sunday Entertainment Licenses for Sundae School Ice…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: McCormick

April 29, 2025: Renew the Seasonal Sunday Entertainment Licenses for Sundae School Ice Cream Parlor and Holiday Hill Family Amusements until November 30, 2025

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To renew the Seasonal Sunday Entertainment Licenses for Sundae School Ice Cream Parlor and Holiday Hill Family Amusements until November 30, 2025

Yes: Carey, Lambton, Plath, TerrioAbstained: McCormick

From the minutes

“Carlyn Carey moved to renew the Seasonal Sunday Entertainment Licenses for Sundae School Ice Cream Parlor and Holiday Hill Family Amusements until November 30, 2025. John Terrio seconded the motion. VOTE: 4-0-1 (Paul McCormick abstained).” (Motion: Carey, second: Terrio)

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Apr 15Renew the Seasonal All Alcohol Restaurant Licenses for Chapin's…Motion: to renew the Seasonal All Alcohol Restaurant Licenses for Chapin's Fish…Passed 3–0 · see note

April 15, 2025: Renew the Seasonal All Alcohol Restaurant Licenses for Chapin's Fish & Chips, FIN, and The Wee Packet until November 30, 2025

ApprovePassed · 3–0

To renew the Seasonal All Alcohol Restaurant Licenses for Chapin's Fish & Chips, FIN, and The Wee Packet until November 30, 2025

The minutes give the count as 3-0-0, but 4 members were present for this vote (Chris Lambton, Paul McCormick, Jim Plath and John Terrio). Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“Jim Plath moved to renew the Seasonal All Alcohol Restaurant Licenses for Chapin's Fish & Chips, FIN, and The Wee Packet until November 30, 2025. John Terrio seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. Vote: 3-0-0.” (Motion: Plath, second: Terrio)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Apr 15Renew the Seasonal Entertainment Licenses for Chapin's Fish &…Motion: to renew the Seasonal Entertainment Licenses for Chapin's Fish & Chips…Passed 3–0 · see note

April 15, 2025: Renew the Seasonal Entertainment Licenses for Chapin's Fish & Chips until November 30, 2025

ApprovePassed · 3–0

To renew the Seasonal Entertainment Licenses for Chapin's Fish & Chips until November 30, 2025

The minutes give the count as 3-0-0, but 4 members were present for this vote (Chris Lambton, Paul McCormick, Jim Plath and John Terrio). Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“John Terrio moved to renew the Seasonal Entertainment Licenses for Chapin's Fish & Chips until November 30, 2025. Jim Plath seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. Vote: 3-0-0.” (Motion: Terrio, second: Plath)

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Apr 1Approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry…Motion: to approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's…Passed 4–0 · see note

April 1, 2025: Approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis for a new annual all alcohol license for Monday through Saturday…

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis for a new annual all alcohol license for Monday through Saturday from 8AM-1AM; and on Sundays from 10AM-1AM

The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Chris Lambton, Paul McCormick, John Terrio, Carlyn Carey and Jim Plath). Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“Carlyn Carey moved to approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis for a new annual all alcohol license for Monday through Saturday from 8AM-1AM; and on Sundays from 10AM-1AM. Chris Lambton seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. VOTE 4-0-0.” (Motion: Carey, second: Lambton)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Apr 1Approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry…Motion: to approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's…Passed 4–0 · see note

April 1, 2025: Approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis for an annual weekday entertainment license for Monday through Saturday hours…

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis for an annual weekday entertainment license for Monday through Saturday hours of 11am-1am indoors; 1PM-8PM outdoors with the requirement that any amplification of sound being facing away from residential properties in the neighborhood

The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Chris Lambton, Paul McCormick, John Terrio, Carlyn Carey and Jim Plath). Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“Carlyn Carey moved to approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis for an annual weekday entertainment license for Monday through Saturday hours of 11am-1am indoors; 1PM-8PM outdoors with the requirement that any amplification of sound being facing away from residential properties in the neighborhood. Chris Lambton seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. VOTE 4-0-0.” (Motion: Carey, second: Lambton)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Apr 1Approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry…Motion: to approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's…Passed 4–0 · see note

April 1, 2025: Approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis for an annual Sunday entertainment license for the hours of indoor…

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis for an annual Sunday entertainment license for the hours of indoor 11AM-1AM; outdoor 1PM-7PM with the same requirement that any amplifiers be faced away from residential properties

The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Chris Lambton, Paul McCormick, John Terrio, Carlyn Carey and Jim Plath). Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“Carlyn Carey moved to approve the application of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis for an annual Sunday entertainment license for the hours of indoor 11AM-1AM; outdoor 1PM-7PM with the same requirement that any amplifiers be faced away from residential properties. Chris Lambton seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. VOTE 4-0-0.” (Motion: Carey, second: Lambton)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Apr 1Approve the manager of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry…Motion: to approve the manager of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's…Passed 4–0 · see note

April 1, 2025: Approve the manager of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis to be Susan M. Brennan

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To approve the manager of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis to be Susan M. Brennan

The minutes give the count as 4-0-0, but 5 members were present for this vote (Chris Lambton, Paul McCormick, John Terrio, Carlyn Carey and Jim Plath). Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“Carlyn Carey moved to approve the manager of T. Breezy LLC d/b/a Terry Brennan's Central Tavern located at 50 Route 134, South Dennis to be Susan M. Brennan. Chris Lambton seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor. VOTE 4-0-0.” (Motion: Carey, second: Lambton)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

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)

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