MassVoter.com← FoxboroughMunicipal votes · 2023–2024 Board
Foxborough Select Board
How the Foxborough Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Same five members after the May 2023 town election. On May 9, 2023 the board chose Mark S. Elfman as Chair, Stephanie McGowan as Vice Chair and Leah Gibson as Clerk. Covers 23 meetings, May 9 to April 23, 2024.
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 23 of 23 meetings
Vice-ChairStephanie A. McGowanVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 21 of 23 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.
Apr 23Approve the Change of Manager Application for Big Night…Motion: Motion to approve the Change of Manager Application for Big Night…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 23, 2024: Approve the Change of Manager Application for Big Night Ventures LLC dba The Scorpion Bar & Mexican Cantina at 253 Patriot Place from Michael Lisitza to Kelsea Coulter
Motion to approve the Change of Manager Application for Big Night Ventures LLC dba The Scorpion Bar & Mexican Cantina at 253 Patriot Place from Michael Lisitza to Kelsea Coulter
The vote does not list Mark S. Elfman, who was at the meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the Change of Manager Application for Big Night Ventures LLC dba The Scorpion Bar & Mexican Cantina at 253 Patriot Place from Michael Lisitza to Kelsea Coulter, by L. Gibson, 2nd by S. Ferguson. Approved. Roll Call. Dennis – Yes. Leah – Yes. Seth – Yes. Steph – Yes.” (Motion: Gibson, second: Ferguson)
Apr 23Approve a payment of $12,500.00 to MassDevelopment as repayment…Motion: Motion to approve a payment of $12,500.00 to MassDevelopment as repayment…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 23, 2024: Approve a payment of $12,500.00 to MassDevelopment as repayment for Phase II of the Walnut Affordable Housing pre-work
Motion to approve a payment of $12,500.00 to MassDevelopment as repayment for Phase II of the Walnut Affordable Housing pre-work
The vote does not list Mark S. Elfman, who was at the meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve a payment of $12,500.00 to MassDevelopment as repayment for Phase II of the Walnut Affordable Housing pre-work, by L. Gibson, 2nd by S. Ferguson. Approved. Roll Call. Dennis – Yes. Leah – Yes. Seth – Yes. Steph – Yes.” (Motion: Gibson, second: Ferguson)
Apr 23Approve $70,000.00 of the Affordable Housing Trust fund to…Motion: Motion to approve $70,000.00 of the Affordable Housing Trust fund to…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 23, 2024: Approve $70,000.00 of the Affordable Housing Trust fund to be committed to Phase II of the Walnut Street Housing Project
Motion to approve $70,000.00 of the Affordable Housing Trust fund to be committed to Phase II of the Walnut Street Housing Project
The vote does not list Mark S. Elfman, who was at the meeting. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve $70,000.00 of the Affordable Housing Trust fund to be committed to Phase II of the Walnut Street Housing Project, by L. Gibson, 2nd by S. Ferguson. Approved. Roll Call. Dennis – Yes. Leah – Yes. Seth – Yes. Steph – Yes.” (Motion: Gibson, second: Ferguson)
Apr 23Amend the annual per spot fee for commercial parking…Motion: Motion to amend the annual per spot fee for commercial parking…Passed 4–1 · No: McGowan
April 23, 2024: Amend the annual per spot fee for commercial parking to $10 per spot for renewals for July 1, 2024
Motion to amend the annual per spot fee for commercial parking to $10 per spot for renewals for July 1, 2024.
Yes: Elfman, Ferguson, Gibson, KeefeNo: McGowan
From the minutes
“Motion to amend the annual per spot fee for commercial parking to $10 per spot for renewals for July 1, 2024. by L. Gibson, 2nd by S. Ferguson. Mike Stanton, Rt1 Business Owner. Advise is to put the breaks on this increase. Chair of the Water & Sewer Commission that sets rates yearly. Board should be ready to defend this increase. Use an outside firm to help set this rate. That cost of an outside firm would need to be incorporated into the annual per spot fee. Approved. Roll Call. Dennis – Yes. Leah – Yes. Mark – Yes. Seth – Yes. Steph – No.” (Motion: Gibson, second: Ferguson)
Mar 12Accept a donation to the Veteran Services Department for…Motion: Motion to accept a donation to the Veteran Services Department for…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
March 12, 2024: Accept a donation to the Veteran Services Department for retired flag lockage drop slots in the amount of $526.05
Motion to accept a donation to the Veteran Services Department for retired flag lockage drop slots in the amount of $526.05
Stephanie A. McGowan was not present for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to accept a donation to the Veteran Services Department for retired flag lockage drop slots in the amount of $526.05, by L. Gibson, 2nd by S. Ferguson. Approved. 4-0, S. McGowan left meeting..” (Motion: Gibson, second: Ferguson)
Mar 12Disband the Hog Reeve appointmentMotion: Motion to disband the Hog Reeve appointmentPassed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
March 12, 2024: Disband the Hog Reeve appointment
Motion to disband the Hog Reeve appointment
Stephanie A. McGowan was not present for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to disband the Hog Reeve appointment, by L. Gibson, 2nd by S. Ferguson. Approved. 4-0, S. McGowan left meeting..” (Motion: Gibson, second: Ferguson)
Mar 12Approve the Extended Hours Request - Renaissance Hotel at…Motion: Motion to approve the Extended Hours Request - Renaissance Hotel at…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
March 12, 2024: Approve the Extended Hours Request - Renaissance Hotel at Patriot Place and Hilton Garden Inn at Patriots Place at 28 Patriot Place to serve alcohol on Sunday March 31st, Easter…
Motion to approve the Extended Hours Request - Renaissance Hotel at Patriot Place and Hilton Garden Inn at Patriots Place at 28 Patriot Place to serve alcohol on Sunday March 31st, Easter and Sunday May 12th, Mother's Day starting at 11am
Stephanie A. McGowan was not present for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the Extended Hours Request - Renaissance Hotel at Patriot Place and Hilton Garden Inn at Patriots Place at 28 Patriot Place to serve alcohol on Sunday March 31st, Easter and Sunday May 12th, Mother's Day starting at 11am, by L. Gibson, 2nd by S. Ferguson. Approved. 4-0, S. McGowan left meeting..” (Motion: Gibson, second: Ferguson)
Jan 16Opt out of mail in voting pursuant to MGL…Motion: Motion to opt out of mail in voting pursuant to MGL…Passed 3–2 · No: Ferguson, Keefe
January 16, 2024: Opt out of mail in voting pursuant to MGL chapter 54, section 25 B for the annual town elections scheduled for May 6th, 2024
Motion to opt out of mail in voting pursuant to MGL chapter 54, section 25 B for the annual town elections scheduled for May 6th, 2024
Yes: Elfman, Gibson, McGowanNo: Ferguson, Keefe
From the minutes
“Motion to opt out of mail in voting pursuant to MGL chapter 54, section 25 B for the annual town elections scheduled for May 6th, 2024, by L. Gibson, 2nd by S. Ferguson. Approved: 3 – 2 (DK & SF opposed). Opting Out..” (Motion: Gibson, second: Ferguson)
Jan 16Appoint Paige Duncan as the town manager subject to…Motion: Motion to appoint Paige Duncan as the town manager subject to…Passed 4–1 · No: McGowan
January 16, 2024: Appoint Paige Duncan as the town manager subject to a negotiated contract and to appoint the select board chair and the town labor council to begin negotiations with the selected…
Motion to appoint Paige Duncan as the town manager subject to a negotiated contract and to appoint the select board chair and the town labor council to begin negotiations with the selected town manager. L. Gibson
Yes: Elfman, Ferguson, Gibson, KeefeNo: McGowan
From the minutes
“Motion to appoint Paige Duncan as the town manager subject to a negotiated contract and to appoint the select board chair and the town labor council to begin negotiations with the selected town manager. L. Gibson, 2nd by S. Ferguson. 4 – 1 (SM opposed). Approved..” (Motion: Gibson, second: Ferguson)
Nov 7Pursuant to G.L. c. 40, §56 to maintain the…Motion: Motion pursuant to G.L. c. 40, §56 to maintain the split…Passed 4–1 · see note
November 7, 2023: Pursuant to G.L. c. 40, §56 to maintain the split tax rate and adopt a Residential Factor of 0.9388 for Fiscal Year 2024
Motion pursuant to G.L. c. 40, §56 to maintain the split tax rate and adopt a Residential Factor of 0.9388 for Fiscal Year 2024
The minutes give the count (4-1) and name Stephanie A. McGowan as voting to abstain, but the names and count do not match the 5 members present. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion pursuant to G.L. c. 40, §56 to maintain the split tax rate and adopt a Residential Factor of 0.9388 for Fiscal Year 2024 by L. Gibson, 2nd S. Ferguson. SF – Looks like you just picked the mid-point. Is there any science behind that? No shift to the increase. TW – If you kept the same as last year, commercial would get a $400 tax break. 1.2% shift was last year. No dollar value. Approved 4-1. S. McGowan abstain..” (Motion: Gibson, second: Ferguson)
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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