MassVoter.com← Harwich Select BoardHarwich Former Select Board member
Michael MacAskill
Elected townwide · 8 terms in this record
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2017–2018 Board
On split votes, MacAskill voted the same way as…
- Larry Ballantine75% (12 of 16)
- Julie Kavanagh69% (11 of 16)
- Donald Howell44% (7 of 16)
- Jannell Brown38% (6 of 16)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2017–2018 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list MacAskill 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.
Attendance
At the start of 20 of 21 Select Board meetings in 2017–2018 Board.
Missed
- Feb 20, 2018 · Regular: Absent
Every meeting (21)
- May 14, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 8, 2018 · Joint: Present
- May 7, 2018 · Joint: Present
- Apr 30, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 23, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 9, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 2, 2018 · Joint: Present
- Mar 26, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Mar 19, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Mar 12, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Mar 10, 2018 · Joint: Present
- Mar 5, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Feb 26, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Feb 20, 2018 · Regular: Absent
- Feb 12, 2018 · Joint: Present
- Feb 5, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jan 29, 2018 · Joint: Present
- Jan 22, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jan 16, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jan 16, 2018 · Special: Present
- Jan 8, 2018 · Joint: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2017–2018 Board
May 14We reconsider the vote on the alteration of premises…Motion: that we reconsider the vote on the alteration of premises on…Passed 4–0 · MacAskill: Yes
May 14, 2018: We reconsider the vote on the alteration of premises on the liquor license for Ember Pizza of February 26, 2018
That we reconsider the vote on the alteration of premises on the liquor license for Ember Pizza of February 26, 2018
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantine, Brown, Kavanagh, MacAskillAbstained: Howell
From the minutes
“Mr. Ballantine moved that we reconsider the vote on the alteration of premises on the liquor license for Ember Pizza of February 26, 2018. Ms. Kavanagh seconded the motion and the motion carried by a 4-0-1 vote with Mr. Howell abstaining from the vote.” (Motion: Ballantine, second: Kavanagh)
May 14We approve the application for the alteration of premises…Motion: that we approve the application for the alteration of premises of…Passed 4–1 · MacAskill: Yes
May 14, 2018: We approve the application for the alteration of premises of the Seasonal Common Victualler, All Alcoholic Beverages Licenses, by Ember Pizza Inc. on premises at 600 Route 28, Harwich Port,...
That we approve the application for the alteration of premises of the Seasonal Common Victualler, All Alcoholic Beverages Licenses, by Ember Pizza Inc. on premises at 600 Route 28, Harwich Port, contingent on the applicant submitting necessary paperwork to Planning and Building within 90 days of the February 26, 2018 date
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantine, Brown, Kavanagh, MacAskillNo: Howell
From the minutes
“Mr. Ballantine moved that we approve the application for the alteration of premises of the Seasonal Common Victualler, All Alcoholic Beverages Licenses, by Ember Pizza Inc. on premises at 600 Route 28, Harwich Port, contingent on the applicant submitting necessary paperwork to Planning and Building within 90 days of the February 26, 2018 date. Ms. Kavanagh seconded the motion. Mr. Howell said although the license was approved by the ABCC it still doesn't reflect the actual regulatory situation right now in terms of what's approved to be there. Ms. Kavanagh said this is an engineering delay due to the engineer's schedule. Mr. Howell said it still has to be approved by the Planning Board and he noted that State acceptance is based on local acceptance. Mr. Clark agreed and added that as long as local acceptance will be forthcoming it is probably not an issue. Mr. Kelley said he has a draft site plan done for The Port and is expecting Ember's tomorrow. He said he is expecting to file by mid next week at the latest. The motion carried by a 4-1-0 vote with Mr. Howell in opposition.” (Motion: Ballantine, second: Kavanagh)
May 8Approve change orders for the Saquatucket Harbor Project in…Motion: To approve change orders for the Saquatucket Harbor Project in the…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · MacAskill: Yes
May 8, 2018 (Joint meeting): Approve change orders for the Saquatucket Harbor Project in the amount of $465,790
To approve change orders for the Saquatucket Harbor Project in the amount of $465,790
Voted: Yes
Julie Kavanagh had not yet arrived.
From the minutes
“Mr. Ballantine moved to approve change orders for the Saquatucket Harbor Project in the amount of $465,790. Ms. Brown seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote (3-0-0).” (Motion: Ballantine, second: Brown)
Apr 30Approval of the Consent AgendaMotion: approval of the Consent AgendaPassed 4–1 · MacAskill: Yes
April 30, 2018: Approval of the Consent Agenda
Approval of the Consent Agenda
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantine, Brown, Kavanagh, MacAskillNo: Howell
From the minutes
“Mr. Ballantine moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Ms. Brown seconded the motion. Mr. Howell commented that we are doing way too much business of substance in the Consent Agenda and in general he would like the opportunity to delve into some items such as contracts. The motion carried by a 4-1-0 vote with Mr. Howell in opposition.” (Motion: Ballantine, second: Brown)
Apr 23Support the concept with the explicit ability to come…Motion: To support the concept with the explicit ability to come back…Passed 4–1 · MacAskill: Yes
April 23, 2018: Support the concept with the explicit ability to come back and actually vote a final document
To support the concept with the explicit ability to come back and actually vote a final document
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantine, Howell, Kavanagh, MacAskillNo: Brown
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved to support the concept with the explicit ability to come back and actually vote a final document. Ms. Kavanagh seconded the motion and the motion carried by a 4-1-0 vote with Ms. Brown in opposition.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Apr 9We not participate in the lawsuitMotion: that we not participate in the lawsuitPassed 3–2 · MacAskill: Yes
April 9, 2018: We not participate in the lawsuit
That we not participate in the lawsuit
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantine, Howell, MacAskillNo: Brown, Kavanagh
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved that we not participate in the lawsuit. Mr. Ballantine seconded the motion and the motion carried by a 3-2-0 vote with Ms. Brown and Ms. Kavanagh in opposition.” (Motion: Howell, second: Ballantine)
Apr 9Support the brochure and publish itMotion: To support the brochure and publish itPassed 4–0 · MacAskill: Yes
April 9, 2018: Support the brochure and publish it
To support the brochure and publish it
Voted: Yes
Yes: Ballantine, Brown, Kavanagh, MacAskillAbstained: Howell
From the minutes
“Mr. Ballantine moved to support the brochure and publish it. Ms. Brown seconded the motion and the motion carried by a 4-0-1 vote with Mr. Howell abstaining from the vote.” (Motion: Ballantine, second: Brown)
Apr 2We accept the FinComm's positions on Elected Officials salaries…Motion: that we accept the FinComm's positions on Elected Officials salaries absent…Passed 3–2 · MacAskill: Not recorded
April 2, 2018 (Joint meeting): We accept the FinComm's positions on Elected Officials salaries absent the Selectmen positions
That we accept the FinComm's positions on Elected Officials salaries absent the Selectmen positions
The minutes give only the count (3-2), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Howell moved that we accept the FinComm's positions on Elected Officials salaries absent the Selectmen positions. Ms. Kavanagh seconded the motion. Chairman MacAskill said that given the budget coming in at a 7.2% increase, he is opposed to this with exception of the Town Clerk's salary. The motion carried by a 3-2-0 vote with Ms. Brown and Chairman MacAskill opposing the motion.” (Motion: Howell, second: Kavanagh)
Apr 2Clark's recommendationMotion: Clark's recommendationPassed Unanimous, 5 present · MacAskill: Yes
April 2, 2018 (Joint meeting): Clark's recommendation
Clark's recommendation
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Clark's recommendation. Ms. Kavanagh seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.” (second: Kavanagh)
Apr 2The recommendationMotion: the recommendationPassed 3–2 · MacAskill: Not recorded
April 2, 2018 (Joint meeting): The recommendation
The recommendation
The minutes give only the count (3-2), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Ms. Kavanagh moved the recommendation. Ms. Brown seconded the motion and the motion carried by a 3-2-0 vote with Mr. Ballantine and Chairman MacAskill opposing the motion, 4.” (Motion: Kavanagh, second: Brown)
Votes with no disagreement (125)
From the Harwich Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s agendas and minutes portal (2025 on) and its archived Agendas & Minutes page (2012–2024). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: The Cape Cod Chronicle (William F. Galvin and file photos) and the Handler For Harwich campaign website.
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