MassVoter.com← GrotonMunicipal votes · 2018–2019 Board
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. John Giger joined the board after the May 2018 town election (first meeting June 4, 2018); John Petropoulos left it (his last meeting was May 21, 2018). On June 4, 2018 the board chose Barry Pease as Chair, Alison Manugian as Vice Chair and John Giger as Clerk; the minutes say each nomination was “welcomed unanimously.” The 2018 Spring Town Meeting renamed the Board of Selectmen the Select Board. Covers 39 meetings, June 4 to May 15, 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 budgetBoard years
Coming up
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Members
Becky PineMember · At-large · at 38 of 39 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 6Approve the ballot booklet wording for the argument against…Motion: Ms. Pine moved to approve the ballot booklet with the following…Passed 2–1 · No: Giger
May 6, 2019: Approve the ballot booklet wording for the argument against Question 2
Ms. Pine moved to approve the ballot booklet with the following wording for the argument against on question #2: A "no" vote will help constrain the escalating cost of government in Groton. A "no" vote will prevent this project from going forward at this time. The needs of our community in coming years should be considered in sum before funds are borrowed and debt incurred for this project.
Yes: Manugian, PineNo: GigerThe minutes do not use the word "carried"; they say "Ms. Pine and Ms. Manugian were in favor, Mr. Giger was against" (three members were present).
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine moved to approve the ballot booklet with the following wording for the argument against on question #2: A "no" vote will help constrain the escalating cost of government in Groton. A "no" vote will prevent this project from going forward at this time. The needs of our community in coming years should be considered in sum before funds are borrowed and debt incurred for this project. Ms. Ma.” (Motion: Pine, second: Manugian)
Apr 22Consistent with Article 4 of the Groton Road Rules…Motion: Mr. Degen made a motion that consistent with Article 4 of…Passed 4–1 · No: Manugian
April 22, 2019: Consistent with Article 4 of the Groton Road Rules and Regulations and per Chief Luth's recommendation that the Board authorize no parking through June 30, 2020 along the Long Hill…
Mr. Degen made a motion that consistent with Article 4 of the Groton Road Rules and Regulations and per Chief Luth's recommendation that the Board authorize no parking through June 30, 2020 along the Long Hill Road side of the old abandoned road in front of Groton Place and along the sides of the driveway as you enter and exit the parking area.
Yes: Degen, Giger, Pease, PineNo: Manugian
From the minutes
“Mr. Degen made a motion that consistent with Article 4 of the Groton Road Rules and Regulations and per Chief Luth's recommendation that the Board authorize no parking through June 30, 2020 along the Long Hill Road side of the old abandoned road in front of Groton Place and along the sides of the driveway as you enter and exit the parking area. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Ms. Manugian said she was still concerned even on a temporary basis. She cited moving toward a leash requirement and not just the honor system. Mr. Pease said that this was a reminder to people to take consideration of others using the property. The motion carried 4-1 with Ms. Manugian opposed..” (Motion: Degen, second: Pine)
Apr 22Approve the fuel storage permit AL PrimeMotion: Ms. Manugian made a motion to approve the fuel storage permit…Passed 4–1 · No: Degen
April 22, 2019: Approve the fuel storage permit AL Prime
Ms. Manugian made a motion to approve the fuel storage permit AL Prime.
Yes: Giger, Manugian, Pease, PineNo: Degen
From the minutes
“Ms. Manugian made a motion to approve the fuel storage permit AL Prime. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1 with Mr. Degen opposed..” (Motion: Manugian, second: Pine)
Apr 22Decline the right of first refusal on this parcelMotion: Ms. Manugian moved that the Select Board decline the right of…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 22, 2019: Decline the right of first refusal on this parcel
Ms. Manugian moved that the Select Board decline the right of first refusal on this parcel.
Yes: Giger, Manugian, Pease, PineJoshua Degen recused himself and left the room for this item, so he is not shown as voting.
From the minutes
“Ms. Manugian moved that the Select Board decline the right of first refusal on this parcel. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Manugian, second: Pine)
Mar 25Not bring forward a request for an overrideMotion: Mr. Giger moved that they not bring forward a request for…Passed 4–1 · No: Degen
March 25, 2019: Not bring forward a request for an override
Mr. Giger moved that they not bring forward a request for an override.
Yes: Giger, Manugian, Pease, PineNo: Degen
From the minutes
“Mr. Giger moved that they not bring forward a request for an override. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. Mr. Degen respected the consensus of the Board but said that next year one of them needed to explain why the override was three quarters of a million dollars. The motion carried 4-1 with Mr. Degen against..” (Motion: Giger, second: Manugian)
Mar 18Grant the waiver to KP Law to work with…Motion: Ms. Pine moved that they grant the waiver to KP Law…Passed 4–1 · No: Degen
March 18, 2019: Grant the waiver to KP Law to work with several towns on this issue
Ms. Pine moved that they grant the waiver to KP Law to work with several towns on this issue.
Yes: Giger, Manugian, Pease, PineNo: Degen
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine moved that they grant the waiver to KP Law to work with several towns on this issue. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1 with Mr. Degen against..” (Motion: Pine, second: Manugian)
Mar 18Support 2 additional firefighters to add to the 7…Motion: Mr. Giger made a motion to support 2 additional firefighters to…Passed 4–1 · No: Pine
March 18, 2019: Support 2 additional firefighters to add to the 7 they had already for the FY 20 budget
Mr. Giger made a motion to support 2 additional firefighters to add to the 7 they had already for the FY 20 budget.
Yes: Degen, Giger, Manugian, PeaseNo: Pine
From the minutes
“Mr. Giger made a motion to support 2 additional firefighters to add to the 7 they had already for the FY 20 budget. Ms. Manugian seconded the motion. Mr. Degen offered a friendly amendment to say it would be subject to a successful proposition 2 ½ override. Mr. Pease said he didn't want to see this coupled with the override. Mr. Degen said that was fair. Ms. Gail Chalmers thanked them for finally making this happen. Mr. Tyler Shute said that he would like the statics checked. He said that the call department did more than 20 calls between the hours of 8pm and 6am as Ms. Pine had stated. He said they were talking about 300 times per year. He said they deserved a lot more credit than that. Ms. Pine clarified that she was looking at the midnight to 6am time period and said she didn't think anyone was taking credit away from the call department. Roll Call: Degen-aye; Pease-aye; Giger-aye; Manugian-aye; Pine-nay.” (Motion: Giger, second: Manugian)
Mar 11Nominate Mr. Rob Flynn to serve as the NVTHS…Motion: Ms. Manugian nominated Mr. Rob Flynn to serve as the NVTHS…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
March 11, 2019: Nominate Mr. Rob Flynn to serve as the NVTHS School Committee Representative
Ms. Manugian nominated Mr. Rob Flynn to serve as the NVTHS School Committee Representative.
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.
From the minutes
“Ms. Manugian nominated Mr. Rob Flynn to serve as the NVTHS School Committee Representative. Ms. Pine seconded the nomination. Mr. Kauppi closed nominations. Roll Call: Manugian-aye, Pease-aye, Giger-aye, Pine-aye, Kubick-aye, LeBlanc-aye, Raynor-aye, Kauppi-aye.” (Motion: Manugian, second: Pine)
Mar 11Nominate Ms. Patricia Madigan to serve as the NVTHS…Motion: Ms. Manugian nominated Ms. Patricia Madigan to serve as the NVTHS…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
March 11, 2019: Nominate Ms. Patricia Madigan to serve as the NVTHS School Committee Representative
Ms. Manugian nominated Ms. Patricia Madigan to serve as the NVTHS School Committee Representative.
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.
From the minutes
“Ms. Manugian nominated Ms. Patricia Madigan to serve as the NVTHS School Committee Representative. Ms. Pine seconded the nomination. Mr. Kauppi closed nominations. Roll Call: Manugian-aye, Pease-aye, Giger-aye, Pine-aye, Kubick-aye, LeBlanc-aye, Raynor-aye, Kauppi-aye.” (Motion: Manugian, second: Pine)
Jan 28Appoint Don Black to the Park Commission until the…Motion: Ms. Manugian moved to appoint Don Black to the Park Commission…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
January 28, 2019: Appoint Don Black to the Park Commission until the next election in May 2019
Ms. Manugian moved to appoint Don Black to the Park Commission until the next election in May 2019.
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.
From the minutes
“Ms. Manugian moved to appoint Don Black to the Park Commission until the next election in May 2019. Ms. Eliot seconded the motion. Roll Call: Manugian-aye; Pease-aye; Giger-aye; Degen-aye; Pine-aye; Siok aye; Eliot-aye; Boucher-aye.” (Motion: Manugian)
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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