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Municipal votes · 2018–2019 Board

Dunstable Select Board

How the Dunstable Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 3 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. James E. Tully joined the board after the May 15, 2018 town election, succeeding Walter Alterisio. On May 29, 2018 the board unanimously chose Leah D. Basbanes as Chair and Ronald J. Mikol as Vice Chair. Covers 46 meetings, May 29 to May 16, 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.

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

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What Town Meeting decided

In Dunstable, 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 11, 2026 26 votes: 22 passed, 2 failed, 2 no action

Source: Town Clerk: Annual Town Meeting Minutes, May 11, 2026 (PDF, 23 pages).

Special Town Meeting · November 17, 2025 13 votes: 12 passed, 1 no action

Source: Town Clerk: Special Town Meeting Minutes, November 17, 2025 (PDF, 8 pages).

Annual Town Meeting · May 12, 2025 21 votes: 20 passed, 1 no action

Source: Town Clerk: Annual Town Meeting Minutes, May 12, 2025 (PDF, 18 pages).

Special Town Meeting · November 18, 2024 10 votes: 7 passed, 2 failed, 1 no action

Source: Town Clerk: Special Town Meeting Minutes, November 18, 2024 (PDF, 6 pages).

Annual Town Meeting · May 13, 2024 19 votes: 18 passed, 1 no action

Source: Town Clerk: Annual Town Meeting Minutes, May 13, 2024 (PDF, 15 pages; the cover heading says "Special").

Special Town Meeting · March 26, 2024 1 votes: 1 passed

Source: Town Clerk: Special Town Meeting Minutes, March 26, 2024 (PDF, 9 pages).

Not here yet: No Town Meeting after May 11, 2026 is posted.

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

James E. TullyMember · At-large · at 45 of 46 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: Dunstable Select Board minutes from January 2, 2018 through September 8, 2026: 289 meetings and 1,422 votes. The town’s Select Board minutes page lists the board’s minutes from 2017 on, and its older minutes archive (linked from that page) has Board of Selectmen minutes from 2010; MassVoter loaded 2018 on, including the December 18 and December 21, 2018 minutes, which are only in the older archive. The board was the Board of Selectmen (its 2018–2021 minutes call it the “Selectboard”) until the Legislature renamed it the Select Board (Chapter 208 of the Acts of 2024, signed September 20, 2024); its minutes are headed “Select Board” from September 24, 2024. The minutes are typed documents with searchable text. Not here: executive-session minutes; Insurance Advisory Committee minutes filed in the Select Board list; votes of the Advisory Board, Board of Health, Affordable Housing Committee, Groton boards and other bodies at joint meetings; meetings with an agenda but no posted minutes (March 25 and April 5, 2019; January 15, 2020; January 26, 2023, whose minutes the board approved on February 9, 2023; April 23, 2024, where the file posted is a second copy of the April 16, 2024 minutes; December 17, 2024; and September 30, 2025, whose minutes the board approved on October 15, 2025); and meetings after September 8, 2026 (the September 24 and October 8, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Dunstable’s minutes have used several forms. From 2018 to mid-2022 a motion “passed unanimously,” “passed without objection” or “passed by majority vote,” sometimes naming a member who abstained, and votes to enter executive session list the members voting (“adopted by majority vote by Leah D. Basbanes, Ronald J. Mikol, and James E. Tully”). In fall 2022 the minutes gave counts (“Voted to approve 3-0”). Since late 2022 they read “it was VOTED … The vote was unanimous,” with roll calls by name for executive sessions and, in 2025–2026, for many other votes. Unanimous wording, or a count equal to the members present, is shown as every member present voting yes; a roll call or list of names is shown by name; on this three-member board, a vote that passed with one named member abstaining or voting no shows the other members voting yes. “Passed without objection” (313 votes), “passed by majority vote” with no names (135 votes) and “it was VOTED” or “the meeting was adjourned” with no count or names (39 votes) show the result only; one vote that passed with an unnamed abstention shows the count only. Members who recused themselves are left out of that vote, with a note. Where the attendance list leaves out a member who made or seconded a motion, that member is counted present, with a note. A motion with no recorded outcome is not counted as a vote. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.

Thursday, May 16, 2019 · Regular meeting0 recorded votes, 3 with disagreementAbsent: James E. TullyMonday, May 13, 2019 · Regular meeting0 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAll 3 members presentTuesday, May 7, 2019 · Regular meeting2 recorded votes, 4 with disagreementAll 3 members presentTuesday, April 23, 2019 · Regular meeting1 recorded votes, 8 with disagreementAll 3 members presentWednesday, April 10, 2019 · Regular meeting1 recorded votes, 5 with disagreementAbsent: Leah D. Basbanes

Votes where members disagreed

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

May 16Close the public portion of the hearingMotion: A motion was made by Mr. Mikol to close the public…Passed · see note

May 16, 2019: Close the public portion of the hearing

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

A motion was made by Mr. Mikol to close the public portion of the hearing. The motion was seconded by Ms. Basbanes. The motion passed by majority vote.

The minutes say the motion passed “by majority vote,” without a count or names. Showing the result only.

From the minutes

“A motion was made by Mr. Mikol to close the public portion of the hearing. The motion was seconded by Ms. Basbanes. The motion passed by majority vote..” (Motion: Mikol, second: Basbanes)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

May 7Approve the request for transfer of the funds requestedMotion: Mr. Mikol made a motion to approve the request for transfer…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · see note

May 7, 2019: Approve the request for transfer of the funds requested

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 2 present

Mr. Mikol made a motion to approve the request for transfer of the funds requested. The motion was seconded by Ms. Basbanes. Mr. Tully recused himself due to potential conflict of interest. The motion passed by majority vote.

The minutes say James Tully recused himself and the motion passed by majority vote; with only Ron Mikol and Leah Basbanes voting, a majority needed both of their votes, so both are shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“Mr. Mikol made a motion to approve the request for transfer of the funds requested. The motion was seconded by Ms. Basbanes. Mr. Tully recused himself due to potential conflict of interest. The motion passed by majority vote..” (Motion: Mikol, second: Basbanes)

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

Apr 23Extend the appointment of Shawn Murray as Acting Fire…Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Tully to extend the appointment…Passed · see note

April 23, 2019: Extend the appointment of Shawn Murray as Acting Fire Chief until May 30th, 2019 or until Chief Rich returns whichever occurs first

AppointPassed · No count or names in the minutes

A motion was made by Mr. Tully to extend the appointment of Shawn Murray as Acting Fire Chief until May 30th, 2019 or until Chief Rich returns whichever occurs first. The motion was seconded by Ms. Basbanes and passed without objection.

The minutes say the motion passed “without objection,” with no count or names. Showing the result only.

From the minutes

“A motion was made by Mr. Tully to extend the appointment of Shawn Murray as Acting Fire Chief until May 30th, 2019 or until Chief Rich returns whichever occurs first. The motion was seconded by Ms. Basbanes and passed without objection..” (Motion: James E. Tully, second: Basbanes)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Apr 23Steven Tully was appointed as a Reserve Officer Term…Motion: Steven Tully was appointed as a Reserve Officer Term Expires: June…Passed · see note

April 23, 2019: Steven Tully was appointed as a Reserve Officer Term Expires: June 30th, 2019

AppointPassed · No count or names in the minutes

Steven Tully was appointed as a Reserve Officer Term Expires: June 30th, 2019 Motion by Mr. Mikol, seconded by Mr. Tully, and passed without objection

The minutes say the motion passed “without objection,” with no count or names. Showing the result only.

From the minutes

“Steven Tully was appointed as a Reserve Officer Term Expires: June 30th, 2019 Motion by Mr. Mikol, seconded by Mr. Tully, and passed without objection.” (Motion: Mikol, second: James E. Tully)

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

Apr 23Darrell Gilmore was appointed as a Sergeant Term Expires:…Motion: Darrell Gilmore was appointed as a Sergeant Term Expires: June 30th,…Passed · see note

April 23, 2019: Darrell Gilmore was appointed as a Sergeant Term Expires: June 30th, 2019

AppointPassed · No count or names in the minutes

Darrell Gilmore was appointed as a Sergeant Term Expires: June 30th, 2019 Motion by Mr. Mikol, seconded by Mr. Tully, and passed without objection

The minutes say the motion passed “without objection,” with no count or names. Showing the result only.

From the minutes

“Darrell Gilmore was appointed as a Sergeant Term Expires: June 30th, 2019 Motion by Mr. Mikol, seconded by Mr. Tully, and passed without objection.” (Motion: Mikol, second: James E. Tully)

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

Apr 23Lori Pestana was appointed as a member of the…Motion: Lori Pestana was appointed as a member of the Personnel Board…Passed · see note

April 23, 2019: Lori Pestana was appointed as a member of the Personnel Board Term Expires: June 30th, 2022

AppointPassed · No count or names in the minutes

Lori Pestana was appointed as a member of the Personnel Board Term Expires: June 30th, 2022 Motion by Mr. Mikol, seconded by Mr. Tully, and passed without objection

The minutes say the motion passed “without objection,” with no count or names. Showing the result only.

From the minutes

“Lori Pestana was appointed as a member of the Personnel Board Term Expires: June 30th, 2022 Motion by Mr. Mikol, seconded by Mr. Tully, and passed without objection.” (Motion: Mikol, second: James E. Tully)

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

Apr 23Barbara Martin was appointed as a member of the…Motion: Barbara Martin was appointed as a member of the Board of…Passed · see note

April 23, 2019: Barbara Martin was appointed as a member of the Board of Registrars Term Expires: March 31st, 2022

AppointPassed · No count or names in the minutes

Barbara Martin was appointed as a member of the Board of Registrars Term Expires: March 31st, 2022 Motion by Mr. Mikol, seconded by Mr. Tully, and passed without objection

The minutes say the motion passed “without objection,” with no count or names. Showing the result only.

From the minutes

“Barbara Martin was appointed as a member of the Board of Registrars Term Expires: March 31st, 2022 Motion by Mr. Mikol, seconded by Mr. Tully, and passed without objection.” (Motion: Mikol, second: James E. Tully)

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

Apr 10Approve the warrant for the Annual Town MeetingMotion: A motion was made by Mr. Tully to approve the warrant…Passed · see note

April 10, 2019: Approve the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

A motion was made by Mr. Tully to approve the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mikol and passed by majority vote.

The minutes say the motion passed “by majority vote,” without a count or names. Showing the result only.

From the minutes

“A motion was made by Mr. Tully to approve the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mikol and passed by majority vote..” (Motion: James E. Tully, second: Mikol)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Apr 10Declare 8,274 square feet of land currently part of…Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Mikol to declare 8,274 square…Passed · see note

April 10, 2019: Declare 8,274 square feet of land currently part of the Town Common land as surplus

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

A motion was made by Mr. Mikol to declare 8,274 square feet of land currently part of the Town Common land as surplus. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tully and passed by majority vote.

The minutes say the motion passed “by majority vote,” without a count or names. Showing the result only.

From the minutes

“A motion was made by Mr. Mikol to declare 8,274 square feet of land currently part of the Town Common land as surplus. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tully and passed by majority vote..” (Motion: Mikol, second: James E. Tully)

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

Apr 10Approve the ballot question for the ballot box as…Motion: A motion was made by Mr. Tully to approve the ballot…Passed · see note

April 10, 2019: Approve the ballot question for the ballot box as written in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

A motion was made by Mr. Tully to approve the ballot question for the ballot box as written in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mikol and passed by majority vote.

The minutes say the motion passed “by majority vote,” without a count or names. Showing the result only.

From the minutes

“A motion was made by Mr. Tully to approve the ballot question for the ballot box as written in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mikol and passed by majority vote..” (Motion: James E. Tully, second: Mikol)

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

From the Dunstable Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s Select Board minutes page and in its older minutes archive. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): Town of Dunstable Select Board meeting video — Ron Mikol (May 2026). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.

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