← Halifax Board of Selectmen
Photo of William Smith

Halifax Vice Chair

William Smith

Elected townwide · 2 terms in this record

William J. Smith

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Board years

2026–2027 Board2025–2026 Board
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2025–2026 Board

37 of 39meetings attended (95%) · whole board 97%
243votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
0no votes (0% of votes cast) · whole board <1%
0 of 3split votes where Smith was in the minority
0abstained
2terms in this record
How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2025–2026 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Smith as present or absent at the start.
  • Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
  • Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
  • A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
  • “Whole board” combines every member’s record for the same term.

These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.

In the news

No recent stories found that name William Smith in the headline or opening.

Stories that name William Smith in the headline or opening, newest first, from 25 free news outlets (see the list). Headlines appear as each outlet published them; MassVoter does not write, choose or rate them. Only stories that are free to read are listed.

Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.

Attendance

At the start of 37 of 39 Board of Selectmen meetings in 2025–2026 Board.

Missed

Every meeting (39)

Votes where members disagreed · 2025–2026 Board

May 12Approve the above WarrantMotion: To approve the above Warrant.Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Smith: Yes

May 12, 2026: Approve the above Warrant

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 2 present

To approve the above Warrant.

Voted: Yes

Jonathan Selig had not yet arrived, so is not counted in this vote.

From the minutes

“Motion: Pratt moved and Smith seconded to approve the above Warrant. Vote: Unanimous approval.” (Motion: Pratt, second: Smith)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

May 11Authorize take-home use of a Town vehicle under the…Motion: To authorize take-home use of a Town vehicle under the policy…Passed 2–1 · Smith: Not recorded

May 11, 2026: Authorize take-home use of a Town vehicle under the policy for the Building Commissioner/Zoning Enforcement Officer

ApprovePassed · 2–1

To authorize take-home use of a Town vehicle under the policy for the Building Commissioner/Zoning Enforcement Officer.

The minutes give only the count (2-1), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“Motion: To authorize take-home use of a Town vehicle under the policy for the Building Commissioner/Zoning Enforcement Officer. Vote: Approved, 2-1..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

May 11Appoint Michael Brogan to the uncompensated position of Town…Motion: To appoint Michael Brogan to the uncompensated position of Town Planner…Passed 2–1 · Smith: Yes

May 11, 2026: Appoint Michael Brogan to the uncompensated position of Town Planner for the Town of Halifax

AppointPassed · 2–1

To appoint Michael Brogan to the uncompensated position of Town Planner for the Town of Halifax.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Selig, SmithNo: Pratt

From the minutes

“Motion: To appoint Michael Brogan to the uncompensated position of Town Planner for the Town of Halifax. Vote: Approved, 2-1. Thomas Pratt opposed..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Apr 28Approve the plot change from Robert Doherty of 39…Motion: To approve the plot change from Robert Doherty of 39 Stoney…Passed 2–0 · Smith: Yes

April 28, 2026: Approve the plot change from Robert Doherty of 39 Stoney Weir Road Halifax, MA

ApprovePassed · 2–0

To approve the plot change from Robert Doherty of 39 Stoney Weir Road Halifax, MA.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Pratt, SmithAbstained: Selig

From the minutes

“Moved by Smith and seconded by Pratt, the Board voted as follows to approve the plot change from Robert Doherty of 39 Stoney Weir Road Halifax, MA. Jonathan Selig - Abstained Thomas Pratt - Yes William Smith - Yes.” (Motion: Smith, second: Pratt)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Apr 14Accept the Disclosure of Election or Appointed to an…Motion: To accept the Disclosure of Election or Appointed to an Uncompensated…Passed 2–0 · Smith: Yes

April 14, 2026: Accept the Disclosure of Election or Appointed to an Uncompensated Position as required by 930 CMR 6.02(3) for Michel Brogan to assume the duties of a Planner

ApprovePassed · 2–0

To accept the Disclosure of Election or Appointed to an Uncompensated Position as required by 930 CMR 6.02(3) for Michel Brogan to assume the duties of a Planner:

Voted: Yes

Yes: Selig, SmithAbstained: Pratt

From the minutes

“Moved by Smith and seconded by Pratt, the Board voted as follows to accept the Disclosure of Election or Appointed to an Uncompensated Position as required by 930 CMR 6.02(3) for Michel Brogan to assume the duties of a Planner: Jonathan Selig - Yes Thomas Pratt - Abstained William Smith - Yes.” (Motion: Smith, second: Pratt)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Feb 10Allow the Town Administrator, Steven Solbo, to sign the…Motion: To allow the Town Administrator, Steven Solbo, to sign the agreement…Passed 2–1 · Smith: Yes

February 10, 2026: Allow the Town Administrator, Steven Solbo, to sign the agreement with First Point Power and the MOU with ASA

ApprovePassed · 2–1

To allow the Town Administrator, Steven Solbo, to sign the agreement with First Point Power and the MOU with ASA.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Selig, SmithNo: Pratt

From the minutes

“Moved by Smith and seconded by Selig, the Board voted as follows to allow the Town Administrator, Steven Solbo, to sign the agreement with First Point Power and the MOU with ASA. Jonathan Selig - Yes Thomas Pratt - No William Smith - Yes Voted 2-1 so moved..” (Motion: Smith, second: Selig)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Oct 7Appoint Dennis McManus as the Wiring Inspector for the…Motion: To appoint Dennis McManus as the Wiring Inspector for the Town…Passed 2–1 · Smith: Yes

October 7, 2025: Appoint Dennis McManus as the Wiring Inspector for the Town of Halifax, term to expire June 30, 2026

AppointPassed · 2–1

To appoint Dennis McManus as the Wiring Inspector for the Town of Halifax, term to expire June 30, 2026.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Selig, SmithNo: Pratt

From the minutes

“Moved by Smith and seconded by Selig, the Board voted as follows to appoint Dennis McManus as the Wiring Inspector for the Town of Halifax, term to expire June 30, 2026. Jonathan Selig - Yes Thomas Pratt - Opposed William Smith - Yes.” (Motion: Smith, second: Selig)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Sep 2And the Finance Committee voted as follows appoint Rodney…Motion: To and the Finance Committee voted as follows appoint Rodney Hemingway…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Smith: Yes

September 2, 2025 (Joint meeting): And the Finance Committee voted as follows appoint Rodney Hemingway to fill the vacant seat on the Halifax Finance Committee

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 3 present

To and the Finance Committee voted as follows appoint Rodney Hemingway to fill the vacant seat on the Halifax Finance Committee:

Voted: Yes

Joint vote: members of another board voted too (counting everyone, 9 yes and 0 no). Only the Select Board members' votes are shown. The motion was made by Bennett, who was not a Select Board member at the time. The motion was seconded by Bryan, who was not a Select Board member at the time.

From the minutes

“Moved by Bennett and seconded by Bryan, the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee voted as follows appoint Rodney Hemingway to fill the vacant seat on the Halifax Finance Committee: Board of Selectmen Jonathan Selig - yes Thomas Pratt - yes William Smith - yes Finance Committee Edward Bryan - yes Michael Rugnetta - yes Michael Bennett - yes Cheryll Zarrella Burke - yes Frank Johnston - yes James Walters - yes.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 25Appoint Jody Goyette to the Halifax Elementary School Committee,…Motion: To appoint Jody Goyette to the Halifax Elementary School Committee, term…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Smith: Yes

August 25, 2025 (Joint meeting): Appoint Jody Goyette to the Halifax Elementary School Committee, term to expire May 16, 2026: Board of Selectmen Karyn Townsend - Yes Jessica Page - Yes Lauren Laws - Yes…

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 3 present

To appoint Jody Goyette to the Halifax Elementary School Committee, term to expire May 16, 2026: Board of Selectmen Karyn Townsend - Yes Jessica Page - Yes Lauren Laws - Yes Halifax Elementary School Committee

Voted: Yes

Joint vote: members of another board voted too (counting everyone, 3 yes and 0 no). Only the Select Board members' votes are shown. The motion was made by Page, who was not a Select Board member at the time.

From the minutes

“Moved by Page by and seconded by Pratt the following vote was taken to appoint Jody Goyette to the Halifax Elementary School Committee, term to expire May 16, 2026: Board of Selectmen Karyn Townsend - Yes Jessica Page - Yes Lauren Laws - Yes Halifax Elementary School Committee Jonathan Selig - Yes Thomas Pratt - Yes William Smith - Yes.” (second: Pratt)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 7Appoint James Walsh to the Planning Board, term to…Motion: To appoint James Walsh to the Planning Board, term to expire…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Smith: Yes

August 7, 2025 (Joint meeting): Appoint James Walsh to the Planning Board, term to expire May 16, 2026

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 3 present

To appoint James Walsh to the Planning Board, term to expire May 16, 2026:

Voted: Yes

Joint vote: members of another board voted too (counting everyone, 7 yes and 0 no). Only the Select Board members' votes are shown. The motion was made by Troup, who was not a Select Board member at the time.

From the minutes

“Moved by Troup and seconded by Selig, the following vote was taken to appoint James Walsh to the Planning Board, term to expire May 16, 2026: Board of Selectmen Jonathan Selig - yes Thomas Pratt - yes William Smith - yes Planning Board Robert Gaynor - yes Thomas Millias - yes Amy Troup - yes Bruce Sylvester - yes.” (second: Selig)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (240)

    From the Halifax Board of Selectmen’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center and Document Center. We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Jonathan Selig from the Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express (December 2017); Thomas Pratt and William Smith from Area 58 video of the June 23, 2026 Select Board meeting (identified by the nameplate in front of each member).

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