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Groton Select Board
How the Groton Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. Joshua Degen served as Chair, Barry Pease as Vice Chair and Alison Manugian as Clerk. The board was then called the Board of Selectmen. MassVoter has loaded this board’s minutes from January 16, 2018 on. The start date is a placeholder. Covers 16 meetings, January 16 to May 21, 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 budgetBoard years
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Groton’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
Members
Becky PineMember · At-large · at 15 of 16 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: Groton Select Board minutes (the board was called the Board of Selectmen until the 2018 Spring Town Meeting renamed it) from January 16, 2018 through August 31, 2026: 315 meetings and 2,132 votes. The town’s meeting portal holds the board’s minutes back to June 2001; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. Nearly all the minutes are typed documents with searchable text; five files are scans, which we read with text recognition. Not here: executive-session minutes; about 100 dates on the portal that have an agenda but no minutes (many are executive-session-only sessions, Saturday budget sessions with the Finance Committee, joint meetings in neighboring towns and meetings held at Town Meeting); the December 15, 2025 file, which holds only the meeting’s attachments; the April 4, 2023 file, which holds the School Committee’s minutes; and meetings after August 31, 2026 (the September 14 and 28 and October 3, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Groton’s minutes give the mover, the seconder and the result. About two votes in five are roll calls by name (“Roll Call: Pine-aye; Degaitas-aye; Reilly-aye; Cunningham-aye; Pisani-aye”), most of all during the remote meetings of 2020 and 2021; other votes read “The motion carried unanimously,” shown as every member present voting yes, or give the count and name the member who voted no or abstained (“4 in Favor, 1 Against- Manugian”), shown member by member when the count matches the members present. Where the count does not match the members present or a split names no one, we show the count only, with a note (5 votes); 11 votes record the result only (“The motion carried”). When members chose between two nominees for Chair or Vice Chair, we show the result only and quote who chose whom. Members who stepped aside (recused) or left the room are not shown as voting. At joint meetings (the Finance Committee, School Committee, Park, Planning and other boards) only the Select Board’s own votes are shown; when the Select Board voted together with another board to fill a vacancy, only the Select Board members’ votes are shown. Select Board positions on Town Meeting articles that the minutes list without a motion are not shown as 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 21Approve Rule 9.4 Tattoo and Body Modification of the…Motion: Ms. Pine moved that they approve Rule 9.4 Tattoo and Body…Failed 2–2 · No: Degen, Manugian
May 21, 2018: Approve Rule 9.4 Tattoo and Body Modification of the Police Rules and Regulations
Ms. Pine moved that they approve Rule 9.4 Tattoo and Body Modification of the Police Rules and Regulations.
Yes: Petropoulos, PineNo: Degen, Manugian
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine moved that they approve Rule 9.4 Tattoo and Body Modification of the Police Rules and Regulations. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. The motion failed 2-2 with Mr. Degen and Ms. Manugian voting against..” (Motion: Pine, second: Manugian)
May 15Ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Claire Hansen as…Motion: Mr. Petropoulos moved to ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Claire…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Pease
May 15, 2018: Ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Claire Hansen as a Lifeguard at the Country Club
Mr. Petropoulos moved to ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Claire Hansen as a Lifeguard at the Country Club.
Yes: Manugian, Petropoulos, PineAbstained: Pease
From the minutes
“Mr. Petropoulos moved to ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Claire Hansen as a Lifeguard at the Country Club. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0-1 with Mr. Pease abstaining..” (Motion: Petropoulos, second: Pine)
May 15Request the Town Manager get from the Building Commissioner…Motion: Mr. Pease moved that the Board request the Town Manager get…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Petropoulos
May 15, 2018: Request the Town Manager get from the Building Commissioner in writing a document regarding change of use requirements for Prescott School
Mr. Pease moved that the Board request the Town Manager get from the Building Commissioner in writing a document regarding change of use requirements for Prescott School.
Yes: Degen, Manugian, Pease, PineAbstained: Petropoulos
From the minutes
“Mr. Pease moved that the Board request the Town Manager get from the Building Commissioner in writing a document regarding change of use requirements for Prescott School. Mr. Degen seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0-1 with Mr. Petropoulos abstaining because he was not sure what they just voted on..” (Motion: Pease, second: Degen)
Apr 9Other BusinessMotion: Haddad asked the Board to authorize him to sign a contract…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Degen
April 9, 2018: Other Business
Haddad asked the Board to authorize him to sign a contract and seek a reserve fund transfer or line item transfer for the study on the Prescott School. Ms. Pine made the motion.
Yes: Manugian, Petropoulos, PineAbstained: Degen
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made the motion. Mr. Petropoulos seconded the motion. Mr. Degen said he could support this contingent on this being done prior to discussion at Town Meeting. The motion carried 3-0-1 with Mr. Degen abstaining due to no guarantee in receiving the report..” (Motion: Pine, second: Petropoulos)
Apr 2Approve the collective bargaining agreement with the AFSCME UnionMotion: Roll Call: Petropoulos-aye; Pineaye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye Ms. Manugian moved that they…Failed 0–4 · No: Degen, Manugian, Petropoulos, Pine
April 2, 2018: Approve the collective bargaining agreement with the AFSCME Union
Roll Call: Petropoulos-aye; Pineaye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye Ms. Manugian moved that they approve the collective bargaining agreement with the AFSCME Union.
No: Degen, Manugian, Petropoulos, PineThe minutes record the motion as failing 0-4; with 4 members present, each is shown voting no.
From the minutes
“Roll Call: Petropoulos-aye; Pineaye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye Ms. Manugian moved that they approve the collective bargaining agreement with the AFSCME Union. Mr. Petropoulos second the motion. The motion failed with 0-4 against..” (Motion: Manugian, second: Petropoulos)
Mar 26Approve the most recent financial policies for 2018 subject…Motion: Mr. Petropoulos moved that they approve the most recent financial policies…Passed 3–1 · No: Pease
March 26, 2018: Approve the most recent financial policies for 2018 subject to approval by the Finance Committee
Mr. Petropoulos moved that they approve the most recent financial policies for 2018 subject to approval by the Finance Committee.
Yes: Degen, Manugian, PetropoulosNo: Pease
From the minutes
“Mr. Petropoulos moved that they approve the most recent financial policies for 2018 subject to approval by the Finance Committee. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-1 with Mr. Pease voting against..” (Motion: Petropoulos, second: Manugian)
Mar 26Approve the warrant article to include a 3% rooms…Motion: Ms. Manugian moved that they approve the warrant article to include…Passed 3–1 · No: Petropoulos
March 26, 2018: Approve the warrant article to include a 3% rooms tax effective July 1, 2019
Ms. Manugian moved that they approve the warrant article to include a 3% rooms tax effective July 1, 2019.
Yes: Degen, Manugian, PeaseNo: Petropoulos
From the minutes
“Ms. Manugian moved that they approve the warrant article to include a 3% rooms tax effective July 1, 2019. Mr. Pease seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-1 with Mr. Petropoulos opposed..” (Motion: Manugian, second: Pease)
Mar 12Add questions 2 and 3 to the Spring Town…Motion: Mr. Petropoulos moved that they add questions 2 and 3 to…Failed 2–2 · No: Degen, Manugian · Abstained: Pease
March 12, 2018: Add questions 2 and 3 to the Spring Town Meeting ballot as stated with revised wording as provided by Ms. Manugian
Mr. Petropoulos moved that they add questions 2 and 3 to the Spring Town Meeting ballot as stated with revised wording as provided by Ms. Manugian.
Yes: Petropoulos, PineNo: Degen, ManugianAbstained: PeaseThe minutes say Mr. Petropoulos and Ms. Pine voted in favor, Mr. Degen and Ms. Manugian voted against, and Mr. Pease abstained; the motion failed 2-2-1.
From the minutes
“Mr. Petropoulos moved that they add questions 2 and 3 to the Spring Town Meeting ballot as stated with revised wording as provided by Ms. Manugian. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Ms. Manugian reiterated her concern with only asking 2 questions and leaving out the other 6 categories. She said that she didn't agree with comments made that these were that these were 2 different votes (state and local) and that the survey conducted was different. She thought there would be another reason to throw out these results if this didn't go one particular way. Mr. Pease agreed adding that a nonbinding vote was just another opinion adding they had done this already. Ms. Pine said she felt strongly they needed this on the ballot. She said there was a strong public discussion that just because the Town voted yes on the state ballot that Groton wanted this locally. Mr. Petropoulos suggested they ask the Planning Board to create zoning, hold a public hearing and put on a town ballot all 8 categories in a binding manner. Mr. Degen said he felt comfortable with doing that at the Fall Town Meeting. Ms. Manugian said it seemed reasonable for them to ask the Planning Board to draft zoning with 8 different zones of allowed/not allowed uses. Mr. Petropoulos and Ms. Pine voted in favor of the motion. Mr. Degen and Ms. Manugian voted against the motion. Mr. Pease abstained because he still had far too many questions about the process and how they go through the process. The motion failed by a 2-2-1 vote..” (Motion: Petropoulos, second: Pine)
Mar 12Ask the Friends of Prescott to nominate an individual…Motion: Mr. Petropoulos moved that they ask the Friends of Prescott to…Passed 4–1 · see note
March 12, 2018: Ask the Friends of Prescott to nominate an individual to work with Town Manager to select an architectural firm to provide the required input for the review of the Building…
Mr. Petropoulos moved that they ask the Friends of Prescott to nominate an individual to work with Town Manager to select an architectural firm to provide the required input for the review of the Building Inspector against the current building code, 9th edition.
The count (The motion carried 4-1 with Ms. Manugian voting against.) does not match the 4 members shown at the meeting at that point, and the minutes do not say who did not vote. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Mr. Petropoulos moved that they ask the Friends of Prescott to nominate an individual to work with Town Manager to select an architectural firm to provide the required input for the review of the Building Inspector against the current building code, 9th edition. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Mr. Haddad explained how offended he was about comments made by Ms. Jennings that he was motivated by people against the Friends of Prescott and the use of Prescott. He said that was absolutely not the case. I said he wanted an apology for that statement. He said she had no idea what his motivation was. He explained how he was on the negotiating team to make this work and thought for her to email that out was just not true. Mr. Petropoulos said Ms. Jennings didn't say motivation. Mr. Haddad said that was how he interpreted it. Mr. Pease said he would only accept the motion on the table if it was amended to include his recommendation adding he had extreme and profound trust in Mr. Easom. He said that his methods, demeaner and interactions made him a rock-solid recommendation. Mr. Degen said he understood why Mr. Pease made the recommendation but to not put someone up that was qualified was not in Friends best interest. He added that it was the Town Manager's decision at the end of the day. Mr. Degen said that the motion should specify needing an engineer. Mr. Petropoulos amended his motion to include an engineer not an architect and further amended the motion to specify a Registered Design Professional after clarification provided by Mr. Platt. The motion carried 4-1 with Ms. Manugian voting against..” (Motion: Petropoulos, second: Pine)
Feb 26Appoint Evan Boucher to the Sewer Commission vacancy through…Motion: Mr. Orcutt moved to appoint Evan Boucher to the Sewer Commission…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
February 26, 2018: Appoint Evan Boucher to the Sewer Commission vacancy through the end of this term
Mr. Orcutt moved to appoint Evan Boucher to the Sewer Commission vacancy through the end of this term.
This was a joint vote with another board (to fill a vacancy or as a joint meeting); only the Select Board members’ votes are shown. The motion was made by Orcutt of the other board.
From the minutes
“Mr. Orcutt moved to appoint Evan Boucher to the Sewer Commission vacancy through the end of this term. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Roll Call: Petropoulos-aye; Pine-aye; Pease-aye; Manugian-aye; Degen-aye; Gmeiner-aye; Orcuttaye. The motion carried unanimously..” (second: Pine)
From the Groton Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s public meeting portal (Select Board). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Groton, Select Board page (Peter Cunningham, Becky Pine, John Reilly).
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