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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. On April 29, 2024 the board chose Alison Manugian as Chair, Becky Pine as Vice Chair and Peter Cunningham as Clerk (all five in favor each time). The same five members served all year. Covers 39 meetings, April 29 to May 23, 2025.
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
Vice-ChairBecky PineVice Chair · At-large · at 37 of 39 meetings
Peter CunninghamClerk · At-large · at 36 of 39 meetingsMatt PisaniMember · At-large · at 39 of 39 meetings
John ReillyMember · At-large · at 35 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 19Ratify the Town Manager's Appointments of Sebastian Wells as…Motion: Mr. Reilly made a motion to ratify the Town Manager's Appointments…Passed 4–0 · see note
May 19, 2025 (Special meeting): Ratify the Town Manager's Appointments of Sebastian Wells as Park Ranger, Abigail Linskey, and Breya Haley as Groton Country Club Lifeguards
Mr. Reilly made a motion to ratify the Town Manager's Appointments of Sebastian Wells as Park Ranger, Abigail Linskey, and Breya Haley as Groton Country Club Lifeguards.
Yes: Cunningham, Manugian, Pine, ReillyThe roll call does not list Matt Pisani, who was at the meeting; this member is not shown as voting.
From the minutes
“Mr. Reilly made a motion to ratify the Town Manager's Appointments of Sebastian Wells as Park Ranger, Abigail Linskey, and Breya Haley as Groton Country Club Lifeguards. Mr. Cunningham seconded the motion. Roll Call: Reilly - aye; Cunningham - aye; Pine - aye; Manugian - aye.” (Motion: Reilly, second: Cunningham)
May 19Approve a Special One-Day Wine and Malt Beverages License…Motion: Mr. Reilly made a motion to approve a Special One-Day Wine…Passed 4–0 · see note
May 19, 2025 (Special meeting): Approve a Special One-Day Wine and Malt Beverages License for a 75th Birthday to be held at the Groton Grange on Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00…
Mr. Reilly made a motion to approve a Special One-Day Wine and Malt Beverages License for a 75th Birthday to be held at the Groton Grange on Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Yes: Cunningham, Manugian, Pine, ReillyThe roll call does not list Matt Pisani, who was at the meeting; this member is not shown as voting.
From the minutes
“Mr. Reilly made a motion to approve a Special One-Day Wine and Malt Beverages License for a 75th Birthday to be held at the Groton Grange on Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Roll Call: Reilly - aye; Cunningham - aye; Pine - aye; Manugian - aye.” (Motion: Reilly, second: Pine)
May 19Ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Matt Killam to…Motion: Ms. Pine made a motion to ratify the Town Manager's appointment…Passed 4–0 · see note
May 19, 2025 (Special meeting): Ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Matt Killam to fill the vacancy on the Planning Board, effective May 21, 2025, until the May 2026 Annual Election
Ms. Pine made a motion to ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Matt Killam to fill the vacancy on the Planning Board, effective May 21, 2025, until the May 2026 Annual Election.
Yes: Cunningham, Manugian, Pine, ReillyThis 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 roll call does not list Matt Pisani, who was at the meeting; this member is not shown as voting.
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine made a motion to ratify the Town Manager's appointment of Matt Killam to fill the vacancy on the Planning Board, effective May 21, 2025, until the May 2026 Annual Election. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. Roll Call: Reilly-aye; Cunningham-aye; Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Barringer-aye; Francisco-aye; Wilson-aye; Burke-aye; Black-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Reilly)
May 19Authorize the Town Manager to sign the Intermunicipal Agreement…Motion: Mr. Cunningham made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to…Passed 4–0 · see note
May 19, 2025 (Special meeting): Authorize the Town Manager to sign the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) for shared consulting services
Mr. Cunningham made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to sign the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) for shared consulting services.
Yes: Cunningham, Manugian, Pine, ReillyThe roll call does not list Matt Pisani, who was at the meeting; this member is not shown as voting.
From the minutes
“Mr. Cunningham made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to sign the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) for shared consulting services. Ms. Pine seconded the motion. Roll Call: Reilly-aye; Cunningham-aye; Pine-aye; Manugian-aye.” (Motion: Cunningham, second: Pine)
Mar 10For a stand-alone override question on the ballot for…Motion: Mr. Cunningham made a motion for a stand-alone override question on…Passed 4–1 · No: Pine
March 10, 2025: For a stand-alone override question on the ballot for six (6) Firefighters/EMTs, totaling $780,904, with Fiscal Year 2026 tax impact of $630,904
Mr. Cunningham made a motion for a stand-alone override question on the ballot for six (6) Firefighters/EMTs, totaling $780,904, with Fiscal Year 2026 tax impact of $630,904.
Yes: Cunningham, Manugian, Pisani, ReillyNo: Pine
From the minutes
“Mr. Cunningham made a motion for a stand-alone override question on the ballot for six (6) Firefighters/EMTs, totaling $780,904, with Fiscal Year 2026 tax impact of $630,904. Mr. Pisani seconded the motion. Discussion Ms. Pine believes this would be too confusing and a losing proposition. Mr. Cunningham believes there is a value in saying we need six Firefighters/EMTs. The motion carried 4 in favor, one against- Pine..” (Motion: Cunningham, second: Pisani)
Feb 24Appoint Mr. Russell Burke to the Planning Board until…Motion: Mr. Reilly made a motion to appoint Mr. Russell Burke to…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
February 24, 2025: Appoint Mr. Russell Burke to the Planning Board until the 2025 Annual Town Election
Mr. Reilly made a motion to appoint Mr. Russell Burke to the Planning Board until the 2025 Annual Town Election.
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
“Mr. Reilly made a motion to appoint Mr. Russell Burke to the Planning Board until the 2025 Annual Town Election. Mr. Cunningham seconded. Roll call: Cunningham-aye; Reilly-aye; Pisani-aye; Pineaye; Manugian-aye; Black-aye; Barringer-aye; Wilson-aye; Francisco-aye; Hathaway-aye.” (Motion: Reilly, second: Cunningham)
Jan 13Appoint Rob Foley as a Park Commissioner until the…Motion: Mr. Cunningham made a motion to appoint Rob Foley as a…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
January 13, 2025: Appoint Rob Foley as a Park Commissioner until the 2025 Spring Election
Mr. Cunningham made a motion to appoint Rob Foley as a Park Commissioner until the 2025 Spring Election.
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
“Mr. Cunningham made a motion to appoint Rob Foley as a Park Commissioner until the 2025 Spring Election. Mr. Pisani seconded the motion. Roll Call: Pisani-aye; Cunningham-aye; Pine-aye; Manugian-aye; Reilly-aye; Edmonds-aye; Ohringer-aye; Jennings-aye; Eliot-aye.” (Motion: Cunningham, second: Pisani)
Dec 9Appoint Ms. Heidi Robes to the Board of Library…Motion: Ms. Pine made a motion to appoint Ms. Heidi Robes to…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
December 9, 2024: Appoint Ms. Heidi Robes to the Board of Library Trustees until the May Election
Ms. Pine made a motion to appoint Ms. Heidi Robes to the Board of Library Trustees until the May Election.
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. Pine made a motion to appoint Ms. Heidi Robes to the Board of Library Trustees until the May Election. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. Reilly-aye; Pisani- aye; Manugian- aye; Pine-aye; Gerath-aye; Altsman-aye; Zeiler-aye; Peterson-aye.” (Motion: Pine, second: Reilly)
Sep 30Appoint Mr. Cunningham to the Charter Review CommitteeMotion: Ms. Pine moved to appoint Mr. Cunningham to the Charter Review…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Cunningham
September 30, 2024: Appoint Mr. Cunningham to the Charter Review Committee
Ms. Pine moved to appoint Mr. Cunningham to the Charter Review Committee.
Yes: Manugian, Pine, Pisani, ReillyAbstained: Cunningham
From the minutes
“Ms. Pine moved to appoint Mr. Cunningham to the Charter Review Committee. Mr. Pisani seconded the motion. Roll call: Pisani-aye, Pine-aye, Manugian-aye, Reilly-aye; Cunningham-abstained.” (Motion: Pine, second: Pisani)
Jul 29Ratify the Agreement of Fire Chief Arthur CheeksMotion: Mr. Cunningham made a motion to ratify the Agreement of Fire…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Pisani
July 29, 2024: Ratify the Agreement of Fire Chief Arthur Cheeks
Mr. Cunningham made a motion to ratify the Agreement of Fire Chief Arthur Cheeks.
Yes: Cunningham, Manugian, Pine, ReillyAbstained: Pisani
From the minutes
“Mr. Cunningham made a motion to ratify the Agreement of Fire Chief Arthur Cheeks. Mr. Reilly seconded the motion. Roll call: Cunningham-aye; Pine-aye; Reilly-aye; Manugian-aye; Pisani- abstained.” (Motion: Cunningham, second: Reilly)
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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