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Municipal votes · 2017–2018 Board

Falmouth Select Board

How the Falmouth Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Susan Moran chaired the board (then called the Board of Selectmen), with Megan English Braga as Vice Chair, as the attendance lines of the minutes show. MassVoter has loaded this board’s minutes from January 2, 2018 on. Covers 14 meetings, January 2 to May 7, 2018.

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
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What Town Meeting decided

In Falmouth, 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. Town Meeting members are elected by precinct; counts are from the town’s electronic voting.

Annual Town Meeting · April 6, 2026 35 votes: 31 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 failed, 2 indefinitely postponed

Sessions: April 6 and 7, 2026

Source: Town Clerk's certified votes, April 6-7, 2026 Annual Town Meeting.

Annual Town Meeting · November 17, 2025 24 votes: 17 passed, 1 passed as amended, 3 failed, 3 indefinitely postponed

Source: Town Clerk's certified votes, November 17, 2025 Annual Town Meeting.

Annual Town Meeting · April 7, 2025 42 votes: 40 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 failed

Source: Town Clerk's certified votes, April 7, 2025 Annual Town Meeting.

Annual Town Meeting · November 18, 2024 36 votes: 31 passed, 1 failed, 4 indefinitely postponed

Source: Town Clerk's certified votes, November 18, 2024 Annual Town Meeting.

Annual Town Meeting · April 8, 2024 37 votes: 32 passed, 2 passed as amended, 1 failed, 2 indefinitely postponed

Source: Town Clerk's certified votes, April 8, 2024 Annual Town Meeting.

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

Doug BrownMember · Elected townwide · at 14 of 14 meetingsDoug JonesMember · Elected townwide · at 14 of 14 meetingsSam PattersonMember · Elected townwide · at 13 of 14 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 (called the Board of Selectmen until 2020) from January 2, 2018 through August 17, 2026, from the town’s CivicClerk meeting portal, which holds the same minutes files as the town’s old Agenda Center (minutes back to August 2004; MassVoter has loaded January 2018 on). Also loaded: joint meetings (Finance Committee, Board of Health, Planning Board, School Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals), strategic-planning workshops and two public meetings. Not here: minutes the town has not posted (about 39 calendar dates since 2018 have an agenda but no minutes, most of them workshops, executive sessions or community events, but also business meetings such as December 19, 2024 and March 5, 2025); two files posted as minutes that are the board’s Strategic Plan (June 28, 2018 and July 1, 2019); released executive-session minutes; and every meeting after August 17, 2026 (Falmouth usually posts minutes about six weeks after a meeting). Falmouth’s minutes are typed. Most give the mover and seconder and a count (“Vote: Yes-5. No-0.”); during the remote meetings of 2020-2021 and for executive-session votes they give a roll call by name (“Roll Call Vote: Ms. Moran, aye; Mr. Jones, aye; ...”). 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 (“Yes-4. No-1 (Mr. Jones)”), everyone else present as voting yes. Where the minutes give only a split count without names, a roll call leaves out a member who was there or names one who was not, or the count does not match the members present, we show the count only and add a note. Motions with no vote written down are shown with no count. Members who stepped aside (recused) or were out of the room are left out of that vote. Votes taken by other boards at joint meetings are not included. A few meetings have no attendance list; there the members present are taken from the roll calls, with a note. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.

Monday, May 7, 2018 · Regular meeting34 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAbsent: Megan English BragaMonday, April 23, 2018 · Regular meeting33 recorded votes, 6 with disagreementAll 5 members presentWednesday, April 11, 2018 · Regular meeting1 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, April 10, 2018 · Regular meeting2 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentMonday, April 9, 2018 · Regular meeting3 recorded votes, 0 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.

May 7Application for Special One-Day Wine and Malt Liquor Licenses…Motion: approval.Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note

May 7, 2018: Application for Special One-Day Wine and Malt Liquor Licenses - Historic Highfield, Inc., 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth - Saturday, 5/19/18; Thursday, 6/21/18; Monday, 7/23/18; Sunday

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 3 present

Approval.

Doug Jones stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.

From the minutes

“Mr. Patterson motion approval. Second Mr. Brown. Vote: Yes-3. No-0. Absent-1. Recused-1..” (Motion: Patterson, second: Brown)

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

Apr 23SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water StreetMotion: approval with edits.Passed 1–0 · see note

April 23, 2018: SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water Street

ApprovePassed · 1–0

Approval with edits.

The minutes give only the count (1-0-1), not how each member voted. 5 members were present.

From the minutes

“Ms. English Braga motion approval with edits. Second Mr. Patterson. Vote: Yes-1. No-0. Abstain-1..” (Motion: Braga, second: Patterson)

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

Apr 23SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water StreetMotion: approval.Passed 4–0 · see note

April 23, 2018: SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water Street

ApprovePassed · 4–0

Approval.

The minutes give only the count (4-0-1), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Mr. Jones motion approval. Second Ms. English Braga. Vote: Yes-4. No-0. Abstain-1..” (Motion: Jones, second: Braga)

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

Apr 23SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water StreetMotion: approval and not release.Passed 4–0 · see note

April 23, 2018: SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water Street

ApprovePassed · 4–0

Approval and not release.

The minutes give only the count (4-0-1), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Ms. English Braga motion approval and not release. Second Mr. Jones. Vote: Yes-4. No-0. Abstain-1..” (Motion: Braga, second: Jones)

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

Apr 23SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water StreetMotion: approval and not release.Passed 4–0 · see note

April 23, 2018: SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water Street

ApprovePassed · 4–0

Approval and not release.

The minutes give only the count (4-0-1), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Mr. Jones motion approval and not release. Second Ms. English Braga. Vote: Yes-4. No-0. Abstain-1..” (Motion: Jones, second: Braga)

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

Apr 23SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water StreetMotion: approval and not release.Passed 4–0 · see note

April 23, 2018: SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water Street

ApprovePassed · 4–0

Approval and not release.

The minutes give only the count (4-0-1), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Ms. English Braga motion approval and not release. Second Mr. Jones. Vote: Yes-4. No-0. Abstain-1..” (Motion: Braga, second: Jones)

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

Apr 23SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water StreetMotion: approval and not release.Passed 4–0 · see note

April 23, 2018: SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Shuckers, 91A Water Street

ApprovePassed · 4–0

Approval and not release.

The minutes give only the count (4-0-1), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Mr. Brown motion approval and not release. Second Ms. English Braga. Vote: Yes-4. No-0. Abstain1..” (Motion: Brown, second: Braga)

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

Apr 2Reappoint Mr. McCaffrey to a three year term through…Motion: To reappoint Mr. McCaffrey to a three year term through 4/24/2021.…Passed · see note

April 2, 2018: Reappoint Mr. McCaffrey to a three year term through 4/24/2021. 4

AppointPassed · No count or names in the minutes

To reappoint Mr. McCaffrey to a three year term through 4/24/2021. 4. Interview, Vote and Appoint Members to the Charter Review Committee Mr. Suso reported that Town Counsel said if the BOS concludes work to appoint 7 members, they also need to be designate who is to convene the first meeting and suggested Town Counsel would be temporary chair to call the meeting to order. a. Marc Finneran Unable to attend. b. Charles M. Radar He has served on Charter Review Committees in the past and is good at it; he has conducted one in Middlesex County and explained the process. He was on the Chatham Charter Review Committee. c. Daniel H. Shearer There is some tweaking that needs to be done on the charter, this is his 50th town meeting as town meeting member and has held a variety of committee memberships. d. David Garrison Spent his career working in and around local government in urban policy. Reviewed his experience, this is a lifelong area of interest to him. Mr. Garrison is fond of Town Meeting, it is part of the process and understanding how the Town works. He has read the charter and state statutes behind it. Nothing about the issue of the Wellfleet range encouraged him to apply to the charter review committee. e. Pamela Harting-Barrat f. Judith Fenwick Enjoyed her time on a previous Charter Review Committee, she likes big projects and liked the people who were on the committee. She would like to be a part of it again. g. Peter L. Clark He supports the Town form of g

The minutes record this motion but no vote on it.

From the minutes

“Mr. Jones motion to reappoint Mr..” (Motion: Jones)

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

Mar 12Convene the executive session under 1Motion: To convene the executive session under 1. M.G.L. c. 30A, s.…Passed 3–0 · see note

March 12, 2018: Convene the executive session under 1

Adopt resolutionPassed · 3–0

To convene the executive session under 1. M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) - Vote to affirm collective bargaining agreement with Library Union. 2. M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) - Discuss resolution of all turbine litigation. 3. M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(6) - Status/update on potential purchase of Lyberty Green Project site. 4. M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) - Review of Lyberty Green HAC appeal. 5. M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) - Review Ballymeade Home Owners Assoc. v. Town of Falmouth because to not go into executive session could prejudice ongoing negotiations.

The roll call does not give a vote for Megan English Braga and Doug Brown, who were at the meeting. Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“Chair Moran called the open session to order at 6:00 p.m. and motioned to convene the executive session under 1. M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) - Vote to affirm collective bargaining agreement with Library Union. 2. M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) - Discuss resolution of all turbine litigation. 3. M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(6) - Status/update on potential purchase of Lyberty Green Project site. 4. M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) - Review of Lyberty Green HAC appeal. 5. M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(3) - Review Ballymeade Home Owners Assoc. v. Town of Falmouth because to not go into executive session could prejudice ongoing negotiations. Mr. Jones seconded the motion. It was followed by a unanimous roll call vote in Open Session to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the above-listed items, and to return to Open Session after discussion. Roll call vote: Mr. Patterson, aye; Chairman Moran, aye; Mr. Jones, aye..” (Motion: Moran, second: Jones)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Feb 26Convene the executive session under 1Motion: To convene the executive session under 1. M.G.L. c.30A s.21(a)(3) -…Passed 5–0 · see note

February 26, 2018: Convene the executive session under 1

Adopt resolutionPassed · 5–0

To convene the executive session under 1. M.G.L. c.30A s.21(a)(3) - Discuss resolution of all turbine litigation. 2. M.G.L. c.30A s.21(a)(6) - Status/update on potential purchase of Lyberty Green Project site because to not go into executive session could prejudice ongoing negotiations.

The roll call lists Megan English Braga, but the minutes show this member as not present (Megan English Braga is listed as absent for this vote). Showing the count only. The count lists Megan English Braga as absent for this vote, so Megan English Braga is left out of it.

From the minutes

“Chair Moran called the open session to order at 6:30 p.m. and motioned to convene the executive session under 1. M.G.L. c.30A s.21(a)(3) - Discuss resolution of all turbine litigation. 2. M.G.L. c.30A s.21(a)(6) - Status/update on potential purchase of Lyberty Green Project site because to not go into executive session could prejudice ongoing negotiations. Mr. Jones seconded the motion. It was `followed by a unanimous roll call vote in Open Session to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the above-listed items, and to return to Open Session after discussion. Roll call vote: Mr. Brown, aye; Mr. Patterson, aye; Ms. English Braga, aye; Chairman Moran, aye; Mr. Jones, aye. Absent: Ms. English Braga..” (Motion: Moran, second: Jones)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

From the Falmouth Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s Agenda and Meeting Management portal (CivicClerk), linked from the Select Board page. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: The Falmouth Enterprise (capenews.net), by Gene M. Marchand and Devin Ankeney, and an Enterprise campaign photo of Heather Goldstone.

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