MassVoter.com← FoxboroughMunicipal votes · 2019–2020 Board
Foxborough Select Board
How the Foxborough Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Edward T. O’Leary joined the board after the May 2019 town election; James J. DeVellis left. On May 14, 2019 the board chose Mark S. Elfman as Chairman, Leah Gibson as Vice Chair and Edward T. O’Leary as Clerk. Covers 35 meetings, May 13 to June 4, 2020.
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 budgetYour Foxborough ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
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Members
ChairMark S. ElfmanChair · Elected townwide · at 34 of 35 meetingsVice-ChairLeah GibsonVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 30 of 35 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 early 2023) from January 9, 2018 through September 22, 2026: 232 meetings. Minutes from 2018 through September 8, 2026 come from the town website’s Select Board minutes page, which holds minutes back to 2009 (MassVoter has loaded 2018 on); the September 22, 2026 minutes are the draft posted on the board’s Diligent meeting portal and have not yet been approved. Joint sessions are included, but only the Select Board’s own votes; votes of the Board of Health and the Planning Board at joint sessions are left out. Not here: executive-session minutes; minutes for 148 other dates the Diligent portal lists for the board since 2018 (about 115 of them are notices that a quorum of the board would attend another body’s meeting, mostly the Advisory Committee’s budget hearings, or a public event; the rest are mostly short sessions before Town Meeting, executive sessions and town manager interviews); and every meeting after September 22, 2026. All minutes are typed. Foxborough’s minutes give the mover and seconder for nearly every motion. In 2018 and 2019 they say “Final Resolution: Motion Carries 5-0-0” (sometimes with a list of the members voting yes); from 2019 to mid-2024 they usually say “by S. Ferguson, 2nd by M. Elfman. Approved, 5-0,” with roll calls by name during remote meetings; since September 2024 each vote lists the members by name (“Yes: Stephanie McGowan, Bill Yukna … / No: … / Not Present at Vote: …”). When the minutes list the vote by name, we show it that way. When they give a count with no dissent that matches the members present, or say every member voted in favor, we show every member present as voting yes, and when they name the members who voted no or abstained and the count adds up, everyone else present as voting yes. Where the minutes give only a split count without names, a list that leaves out a member who was there or does not match the count, or a count that does not match the members present, we show the count only and add a note. Votes with no count written down are shown with the result only. Members who stepped aside (recused), were not present for a vote, or had left are left out of that vote. Some minutes (September 2024 to May 2025, and three meetings in 2026) have no attendance list; for those, the members shown as present are the ones named in the votes. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
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 26Accept FY21 Board of Selectmen Meeting Schedule as amendedMotion: Motion to accept FY21 Board of Selectmen Meeting Schedule as amendedPassed 4–0 · Abstained: Feldman
May 26, 2020: Accept FY21 Board of Selectmen Meeting Schedule as amended
Motion to accept FY21 Board of Selectmen Meeting Schedule as amended
Yes: Elfman, Gibson, Mitchell, O’LearyAbstained: Feldman
From the minutes
“Motion to accept FY21 Board of Selectmen Meeting Schedule as amended by E. O’Leary 2nd by D. Feldman. Approved 4-0-1, D Feldman abstained..” (Motion: O’Leary, second: Feldman)
Apr 14Continue the finding with regard to the matter before…Motion: Motion to continue the finding with regard to the matter before…Passed 4–1 · No: Mitchell
April 14, 2020: Continue the finding with regard to the matter before us at this point to a date certain being May 12, 2020, but the animal itself must be kenneled and not…
Motion to continue the finding with regard to the matter before us at this point to a date certain being May 12, 2020, but the animal itself must be kenneled and not allowed into the neighborhood at the owner’s expense
Yes: Elfman, Feldman, Gibson, O’LearyNo: Mitchell
From the minutes
“Motion to continue the finding with regard to the matter before us at this point to a date certain being May 12, 2020, but the animal itself must be kenneled and not allowed into the neighborhood at the owner’s expense by E. O’Leary 2nd D. Feldman. Discussion: KC- This was not one of the 7 options under Chapter 140 section 157 but it certainly is a reasonable one that restrains and protects the neighborhood. CM – all for the putting it out to May 12th but not comfortable with kenneling. LG – Should we do it sooner rather than later? DF – if we weren’t in a nationwide shutdown I would say yes, do it in two weeks but they may require more time because of this. BK – This would also be motivation to rehome and get this situation resolved. CM – How much to kennel? I would be more comfortable having parties in attendance to speak too. KB - $20 a day to kennel. LB – I don’t expect to hold the public hearing and have neighbors coming but we should afford the opportunity for everyone to attend virtually. BK – I want to be clear that they were afforded the opportunity to attend and chose not to. The both gave statements in writing to not have to appear tonight. Approved 4-1. Chris Mitchell dissenting..” (Motion: O’Leary, second: Feldman)
Mar 17Approve One day liquor licenses for Normandy Farms on…Motion: 7- Motion to approve One day liquor licenses for Normandy Farms…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
March 17, 2020: Approve One day liquor licenses for Normandy Farms on April 25, May 02, June 13, July 8, August 12, September 19 and November 7 of 2020
7- Motion to approve One day liquor licenses for Normandy Farms on April 25, May 02, June 13, July 8, August 12, September 19 and November 7 of 2020
Christopher P. Mitchell stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“16.09 7- Motion to approve One day liquor licenses for Normandy Farms on April 25, May 02, June 13, July 8, August 12, September 19 and November 7 of 2020 by E. O’Leary 2nd by D. Feldman. Approved 4-0-1. C. Mitchell recused himself from vote..” (Motion: O’Leary, second: Feldman)
Mar 17Approve a Charity Wine Permit for the Sage School…Motion: Motion to approve a Charity Wine Permit for the Sage School…Failed 0–5 · No: Elfman, Feldman, Gibson, Mitchell, O’Leary
March 17, 2020: Approve a Charity Wine Permit for the Sage School on Saturday April 4, 2020
Motion to approve a Charity Wine Permit for the Sage School on Saturday April 4, 2020
No: Elfman, Feldman, Gibson, Mitchell, O’Leary
From the minutes
“16.10 Motion to approve a Charity Wine Permit for the Sage School on Saturday April 4, 2020 by E. O’Leary 2nd by D. Feldman. Discussion: CM - we should deny, as we know that it cannot happen. Motion opposed 0-5. Denied due to local emergency. Conceptually yes, but d.” (Motion: O’Leary, second: Feldman)
Mar 3Approve Kitchen Partners LLC d/b/a Union Straw for Change…Motion: Motion to approve Kitchen Partners LLC d/b/a Union Straw for Change…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Gibson
March 3, 2020: Approve Kitchen Partners LLC d/b/a Union Straw for Change of Manager from Steven Pesek to Craig Carreira
Motion to approve Kitchen Partners LLC d/b/a Union Straw for Change of Manager from Steven Pesek to Craig Carreira
Yes: Elfman, Feldman, Mitchell, O’LearyAbstained: Gibson
From the minutes
“Motion to approve Kitchen Partners LLC d/b/a Union Straw for Change of Manager from Steven Pesek to Craig Carreira by E. O’Leary, 2nd by D. Feldman. Approved 4-0-1, L. Gibson abstained..” (Motion: O’Leary, second: Feldman)
Jan 7Appoint Betty Reilly to the Council on Aging and…Motion: Motion to Appoint Betty Reilly to the Council on Aging and…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
January 7, 2020: Appoint Betty Reilly to the Council on Aging and Human Services Advisory Board for a term to expire on 5/1/2020
Motion to Appoint Betty Reilly to the Council on Aging and Human Services Advisory Board for a term to expire on 5/1/2020
Leah Gibson was not present for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to Appoint Betty Reilly to the Council on Aging and Human Services Advisory Board for a term to expire on 5/1/2020 by E. O’Leary, 2nd D. Feldman. Approved 4-0, L. Gibson not present for vote..” (Motion: O’Leary, second: Feldman)
Jan 7Appoint Robert P. Siteman to the Foxborough Commission on…Motion: Motion to Appoint Robert P. Siteman to the Foxborough Commission on…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
January 7, 2020: Appoint Robert P. Siteman to the Foxborough Commission on Disability for a term to expire 5/1/2020
Motion to Appoint Robert P. Siteman to the Foxborough Commission on Disability for a term to expire 5/1/2020
Leah Gibson was not present for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to Appoint Robert P. Siteman to the Foxborough Commission on Disability for a term to expire 5/1/2020 by E. O’Leary, 2nd by D. Feldman. Approved 4-0, L. Gibson not present for vote.” (Motion: O’Leary, second: Feldman)
Jan 7Approve a Change of Manager from David Ford to…Motion: Motion to approve a Change of Manager from David Ford to…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
January 7, 2020: Approve a Change of Manager from David Ford to William Thomas Walls for Trader Joe’s #528
Motion to approve a Change of Manager from David Ford to William Thomas Walls for Trader Joe’s #528
Leah Gibson was not present for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve a Change of Manager from David Ford to William Thomas Walls for Trader Joe’s #528 by E. O’Leary, 2nd by D. Feldman. Approved 4-0, L. Gibson not present for vote..” (Motion: O’Leary, second: Feldman)
Dec 10Conduct strategy sessions in preparation of negotiations with nonunion…Motion: Motion to conduct strategy sessions in preparation of negotiations with nonunion…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
December 10, 2019: Conduct strategy sessions in preparation of negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations concerning the Town Manager's contract
Motion to conduct strategy sessions in preparation of negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations concerning the Town Manager's contract
Leah Gibson was not present for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to conduct strategy sessions in preparation of negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations concerning the Town Manager's contract 2nd by David Feldman. Roll call - Ed O’Leary – Yes, Dave – Yes, Mark Elfman – Yes, Chris Mitchell – Yes. Leah Gibson – absent for vote.” (second: Feldman)
Nov 26Approve recommended traffic recommendationsMotion: – Motion to approve recommended traffic recommendationsPassed 4–1 · No: Gibson
November 26, 2019: Approve recommended traffic recommendations
– Motion to approve recommended traffic recommendations
Yes: Elfman, Feldman, Mitchell, O’LearyNo: Gibson
From the minutes
“Action – Motion to approve recommended traffic recommendations: E. O’Leary, Second: D. Feldman, Vote: Approved 4-1. Leah Gibson.” (Motion: O’Leary, second: Feldman)
From the Foxborough Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s Select Board minutes page and its Diligent meeting portal. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: WJAR NBC 10 (Bill Yukna), The Foxboro Reporter, photo by Mark Stockwell (Amy LaBrache), The Sun Chronicle (Mark Elfman), and stills from Foxboro Cable Access videos: “Around Foxborough #44 – Stephanie McGowan for the Foxborough Board of Selectmen” (2020) and the Foxboro Jaycees Candidates Night, April 11, 2024 (Deb Giardino).
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