How the Dracut Board of Selectmen voted, from the Board of Selectmen’s official minutes. 5 members elected townwide for three-year terms. The same five members served after the May 6, 2023 town election. On May 9, 2023 the board re-elected Alison Genest as Chairman (3-2; Heather Santiago-Hutchings had also nominated Jennifer Kopcinski), Joseph DiRocco as Vice-Chairman and Jennifer Kopcinski as Clerk (both unanimous). Joseph DiRocco’s last meeting was April 23, 2024. Covers 29 meetings, May 9 to April 23, 2024.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Board of Selectmen 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 Board of Selectmen, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
From the agendas Dracut posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
What Town Meeting decided
In Dracut, Town Meeting — not the Board of Selectmen — 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.
Fall Annual Town Meeting · November 10, 2025 18 votes: 11 passed, 3 failed, 3 indefinitely postponed, 1 referred
Not here yet: The June 1, 2026 Annual Town Meeting is not here because no official vote record for it is posted yet; the Fall Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for November 9, 2026.
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: Dracut Board of Selectmen minutes from January 12, 2021 through August 25, 2026: 144 meetings and 1,539 votes. The town’s Agenda Center has the board’s minutes only from January 2021 on; no earlier minutes are online. The minutes from January 2021 to March 2023 are scanned images, which MassVoter read with text recognition and checked where names or counts were unclear; minutes from April 2023 on are typed documents with searchable text. Not here: executive-session minutes; cancelled meetings; the minutes of other committees filed in the same Agenda Center category (Town Charter Review Committee, Education, Public Safety, DATV Contract and other sub-committees, Town Manager Screening Committee); votes of the School Committee, Planning Board, Zoning By-Law Review Committee, Finance Committee and other boards at joint meetings (three joint meetings are recorded only in another body’s minutes); meetings with an agenda but no posted minutes (November 16, 2021 joint meeting with the Open Space Committee, Community Preservation Committee and Friends of Beaver Brook Farm; May 3, 2022 joint site visit with the Permanent Building Committee; February 29, 2024 Zoom MBTA information session; March 16, 2024 town border perambulation; May 28, 2024 joint meeting with the Conservation Commission (the file posted is the minutes of the executive session that followed it); April 29, 2026 joint meeting with the School Committee); and meetings after August 25, 2026 (the August 11, September 8 and September 22, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Dracut’s minutes usually read “Motion made by … Motion seconded by … Motion passed unanimously,” which is shown as every member present voting yes. When members disagree the minutes give the count and name them (“Motion passed 3 to 2. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings and Mr. Taylor voted no.”), which is shown by name; remote meetings in 2021 and some votes since then are roll calls by name. Members who abstained, “did not vote” or “voted present” are shown as abstaining, with a note. Members who recused themselves or stepped out are not shown in those votes. Where the minutes give only the result, we show the result only (1 vote). A motion with no recorded outcome, or one that died for lack of a second, is not counted as a vote. The board voted on June 11, 2024 to appoint a committee to review the Town Charter and later appointed its members; that committee’s own meetings are not part of this page. 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.
Apr 9Approve the Alteration of Premises located at 149 Parker…Motion: Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve the Alteration of Premises…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 9, 2024: Approve the Alteration of Premises located at 149 Parker Avenue to include the following: an additional 2,100 sq. ft. onto the existing space which will include an increased dining area,...
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve the Alteration of Premises located at 149 Parker Avenue to include the following: an additional 2,100 sq. ft. onto the existing space which will include an increased dining area, additional bathrooms and a bar area. Total occupancy of 120. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed unanimously.
Yes: DiRocco, Genest, Kopcinski, Santiago-HutchingsThe minutes say Tony Archinski recused himself from this item, so Tony Archinski is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Approve the Alteration of Premises located at 149 Parker Avenue to include the following: an additional 2,100 sq. ft. onto the existing space which will include an increased dining area, additional bathrooms and a bar area. Total occupancy of 120. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Kopcinski)
Mar 12Approve the (3) One-Day Outdoor Beer & Wine Licenses…Motion: Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Approve the (3) One-Day Outdoor…Passed 4–1 · No: DiRocco
March 12, 2024: Approve the (3) One-Day Outdoor Beer & Wine Licenses for Saturday, April 20th, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 22nd, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.,…
ApprovePassed · 4–1
Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Approve the (3) One-Day Outdoor Beer & Wine Licenses for Saturday, April 20th, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 22nd, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 14th, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 149 Broadway Road. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mr. DiRocco voted no.
“Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Approve the (3) One-Day Outdoor Beer & Wine Licenses for Saturday, April 20th, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 22nd, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 14th, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 149 Broadway Road. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mr. DiRocco voted no..” (Motion: Archinski, second: Santiago-Hutchings)
Feb 27Support the Proposed TIF AgreementMotion: Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Support the Proposed TIF Agreement.…Passed 4–1 · No: Santiago-Hutchings
Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Support the Proposed TIF Agreement. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings voted no.
“Motion made by Mrs. Kopcinski to Support the Proposed TIF Agreement. Motion seconded by Mr. DiRocco. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings voted no..” (Motion: Kopcinski, second: DiRocco)
Feb 13Endorse the Proposed Conceptual Plan for the LIP 40B…Motion: Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Endorse the Proposed Conceptual Plan…Passed 4–1 · No: Genest
February 13, 2024: Endorse the Proposed Conceptual Plan for the LIP 40B Development, Dracut Apartments, 2041 Bridge Street
ApprovePassed · 4–1
Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Endorse the Proposed Conceptual Plan for the LIP 40B Development, Dracut Apartments, 2041 Bridge Street. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings. Motion passed 4 to 1 with a roll call vote: Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings - Yes, Mr. Archinski - Yes, Mr. DiRocco - Yes, Mrs. Kopcinski - Yes and Mrs. Genest - No.
“Motion made by Mr. Archinski to Endorse the Proposed Conceptual Plan for the LIP 40B Development, Dracut Apartments, 2041 Bridge Street. Motion seconded by Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings. Motion passed 4 to 1 with a roll call vote: Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings - Yes, Mr. Archinski - Yes, Mr. DiRocco - Yes, Mrs. Kopcinski - Yes and Mrs. Genest - No..” (Motion: Archinski, second: Santiago-Hutchings)
Approve minutesPassed · No count or names in the minutes
Ms. Kopcinski made a motion to approve the Tri-Board minutes of December 12 2023 as presented. Mr. Nangle seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor who were present for the meeting minutes. Mr. Scott Mallory abstained.
Joint vote of the three boards (the Zoning By-Law Review Committee’s minutes): Mrs. Kopcinski moved and Mr. Nangle (Planning Board/ZBRC) seconded; the minutes say the motion “carried with all in favor who were present for the meeting minutes. Mr. Scott Mallory abstained.” They do not say how each Selectman voted, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“Ms. Kopcinski made a motion to approve the Tri-Board minutes of December 12 2023 as presented. Mr. Nangle seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor who were present for the meeting minutes. Mr. Scott Mallory abstained..” (Motion: Kopcinski)
Jan 25Accept the MBTA Communities compliance statement (Board of Selectmen…Motion: Ms. Santiago-Hutchings made a motion to accept the compliance statement. Ms.…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
Ms. Santiago-Hutchings made a motion to accept the compliance statement. Ms. Kopcinski seconded the motion. The motion carried with four members voting in favor.
The Chair asked each board for its own motion on the compliance statement; the Board of Selectmen’s motion “carried with four members voting in favor” (the four Selectmen present). The Zoning By-Law Review Committee’s and Planning Board’s own votes on the statement, and the committee’s votes on map options, are not shown.
From the minutes
“Ms. Santiago-Hutchings made a motion to accept the compliance statement. Ms. Kopcinski seconded the motion. The motion carried with four members voting in favor..” (Motion: Santiago-Hutchings, second: Kopcinski)
Dec 12Accept the Donations from the Friends of Beaver Brook…Motion: Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Accept the Donations from the…Passed 3–2 · No: Archinski, Santiago-Hutchings
December 12, 2023: Accept the Donations from the Friends of Beaver Brook Farm to Replace the Roof on the Underground Garage on the Property and Volunteers Donating their Time to Complete the Project
ApprovePassed · 3–2
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Accept the Donations from the Friends of Beaver Brook Farm to Replace the Roof on the Underground Garage on the Property and Volunteers Donating their Time to Complete the Project. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Under Discussion: Mr. Archinski asked where did the money come from? Mrs. Genest stated that the donated money is from the Friends of Beaver Brook Farm. Motion passed 3 to 2. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings and Mr. Archinski voted no.
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Accept the Donations from the Friends of Beaver Brook Farm to Replace the Roof on the Underground Garage on the Property and Volunteers Donating their Time to Complete the Project. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Under Discussion: Mr. Archinski asked where did the money come from? Mrs. Genest stated that the donated money is from the Friends of Beaver Brook Farm. Motion passed 3 to 2. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings and Mr. Archinski voted no..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Kopcinski)
Dec 12Re-Appoint Victor Garofalo as the Town AccountantMotion: Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Re-Appoint Victor Garofalo as the…Passed 4–1 · No: Archinski
December 12, 2023: Re-Appoint Victor Garofalo as the Town Accountant
AppointPassed · 4–1
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Re-Appoint Victor Garofalo as the Town Accountant. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Under Discussion: Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings stated that she was stuck on the definition of Town Accountant in the Town Charter and the Re-Appointment being done in March. Mr. Garofalo discussed Mass General Law and how the position works. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings discussed making changes to the Town Charter during the upcoming Town Charter Review. Mr. Archinski stated that the Town Charter states that the Re-Appointment of the Town Accountant is to be done in March and for that reason he would be voting no. Mrs. Vandal stated that Mass General Law trumps the Town Charter. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mr. Archinski voted no.
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Re-Appoint Victor Garofalo as the Town Accountant. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Under Discussion: Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings stated that she was stuck on the definition of Town Accountant in the Town Charter and the Re-Appointment being done in March. Mr. Garofalo discussed Mass General Law and how the position works. Mrs. Santiago-Hutchings discussed making changes to the Town Charter during the upcoming Town Charter Review. Mr. Archinski stated that the Town Charter states that the Re-Appointment of the Town Accountant is to be done in March and for that reason he would be voting no. Mrs. Vandal stated that Mass General Law trumps the Town Charter. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mr. Archinski voted no..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Kopcinski)
Dec 12Ratify the NEPBA, Unit 4B, Police Supervisors Union ContractMotion: Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Ratify the NEPBA, Unit 4B,…Passed 4–0 · see note
December 12, 2023: Ratify the NEPBA, Unit 4B, Police Supervisors Union Contract
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Ratify the NEPBA, Unit 4B, Police Supervisors Union Contract. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed unanimously.
Yes: DiRocco, Genest, Kopcinski, Santiago-HutchingsTony Archinski had left the meeting before this vote and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Ratify the NEPBA, Unit 4B, Police Supervisors Union Contract. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Kopcinski)
Nov 21Accept the $500.00 Donation from an Anonymous Donor to…Motion: Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Accept the $500.00 Donation from…Passed 4–1 · No: Archinski
November 21, 2023: Accept the $500.00 Donation from an Anonymous Donor to Support the Economic Development Holiday Event
ApprovePassed · 4–1
Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Accept the $500.00 Donation from an Anonymous Donor to Support the Economic Development Holiday Event. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mr. Archinski voted no.
“Motion made by Mr. DiRocco to Accept the $500.00 Donation from an Anonymous Donor to Support the Economic Development Holiday Event. Motion seconded by Mrs. Kopcinski. Motion passed 4 to 1. Mr. Archinski voted no..” (Motion: DiRocco, second: Kopcinski)
From the Dracut Board of Selectmen’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (Board of Selectmen). We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Board of Selectmen photos): The Lowell Sun — Kristie Wohlander and Heather Santiago-Hutchings (courtesy photos, April 2026), Don Plummer and Josh Taylor (courtesy photos, May 2024), Tony Archinski (Cameron Morsberger, May 2023). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.