How the Mashpee Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Thomas O'Hara chaired the board (then called the Board of Selectmen). MassVoter has loaded this board's minutes from January 8, 2018 on; the minutes do not name the Vice Chair or Clerk for these months. Covers 13 meetings, January 8 to May 7, 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.
In Mashpee, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.
Special Town Meeting · May 4, 2026 14 votes: 13 passed, 1 failed
Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).
"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: Select Board (until 2022, Board of Selectmen) minutes from January 8, 2018 through July 13, 2026, from the Select Board folder of the town’s Laserfiche records archive, which holds minutes back to the 1950s (MassVoter has loaded 2018 on). Anyone can open these minutes page by page without signing in; the original files cannot be downloaded without an account, so MassVoter read the text the archive shows with each page. Most minutes from 2018 to early 2026 are scanned copies whose text was produced by text-recognition software, so names and numbers are sometimes damaged; we matched damaged names to members only when the match was clear. Not here: minutes the town has not posted, including February 23, 2026 and meetings after July 13, 2026; the minutes of April 8, 2019, April 12, 2021 and March 17, 2025, whose files in the archive hold other papers or have no readable text for the minutes pages; and executive-session minutes, except two released sets (April 11 and 17, 2018) that are the only minutes for those dates. Mashpee’s minutes record almost every vote as a roll call by name ("Roll Call Vote: Selectman O’Hara, yes ..."), and we show each member’s vote from it. Where the roll call cannot be fully read, leaves out a member who was there without a count that explains it, lists a member twice, or does not match the count, we show the count only, or the result only when no count can be read, and add a note. Votes taken by other boards at joint meetings (such as the Finance Committee or the Affordable Housing Trust) are not included; at joint votes we show only the Select Board members’ roll-call votes. Votes choosing between candidates show the result only. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Apr 9Approve the Annual Contract for the Operation of the…Motion: to approve the Annual Contract for the Operation of the Transfer…Passed 5–4 · see note
April 9, 2018: Approve the Annual Contract for the Operation of the Transfer Station, Hauling of Recyclables, and Tip Fee for Single Stream Recycling with Gotta Do Contracting, LLC as recommended
ApprovePassed · 5–4
To approve the Annual Contract for the Operation of the Transfer Station, Hauling of Recyclables, and Tip Fee for Single Stream Recycling with Gotta Do Contracting, LLC as recommended
The minutes give the count as 5-4-0, but the roll call reads: Thomas O'Hara yes, John Cotton yes, Carol Sherman yes, John Cahalane yes, Andrew Gottlieb yes. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Selectman Gottlieb to approve the Annual Contract for the Operation of the Transfer Station, Hauling of Recyclables, and Tip Fee for Single Stream Recycling with Gotta Do Contracting, LLC as recommended. Motion seconded by Selectman Cotton. VOTE: Unanimous. 5-4. Roll Call Vote: Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Cahalane,yes Selectman Gottlieb,yes Opposed, none.” (Motion: Gottlieb, second: Cotton)
Apr 9Support Option 42; $150 for the 15t Household Permit,…Motion: to support Option 42; $150 for the 15t Household Permit, $35…Failed 2–3 · No: Cahalane, O'Hara, Sherman
April 9, 2018: Support Option 42; $150 for the 15t Household Permit, $35 for the Recycling Permit, $20 for the 2"d Permit and $15 for a Single Trip
ApproveFailed · 2–3
To support Option 42; $150 for the 15t Household Permit, $35 for the Recycling Permit, $20 for the 2"d Permit and $15 for a Single Trip. The tax subsidy is 8%
“Motion made by Selectman Cotton to support Option 42; $150 for the 15t Household Permit, $35 for the Recycling Permit, $20 for the 2"d Permit and $15 for a Single Trip. The tax subsidy is 8%. Motion seconded by Selectman Gottlieb. VOTE: 2-3. Motion does not carry. Roll Call Vote: Selectman O'Bara, no Selectman Cotton, yes Selectman Sherman, no Selectman Cahalane, no Selectman Gottlieb, yes Opposed, (3).” (Motion: Cotton, second: Gottlieb)
Apr 9Maintain status quo; $140 for the 1St Household Permit,…Motion: to maintain status quo; $140 for the 1St Household Permit, $25…Passed 3–2 · No: Cotton, Gottlieb
April 9, 2018: Maintain status quo; $140 for the 1St Household Permit, $25 for the Recycling Permit, $20 for the 2 d Permit and $15 for a Single Trip
ApprovePassed · 3–2
To maintain status quo; $140 for the 1St Household Permit, $25 for the Recycling Permit, $20 for the 2 d Permit and $15 for a Single Trip. The tax subsidy is 14%
Yes: Cahalane, O'Hara, ShermanNo: Cotton, Gottlieb
From the minutes
“Motion made by Selectman Cahalane to maintain status quo; $140 for the 1St Household Permit, $25 for the Recycling Permit, $20 for the 2 d Permit and $15 for a Single Trip. The tax subsidy is 14%. Motion seconded by Selectman Sherman. VOTE: 3-2. Motion carries. Roll Call Vote: Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Cotton, no Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Cahalane,yes Selectman Gottlieb, no Opposed, (2).” (Motion: Cahalane, second: Sherman)
Mar 26Certify the Betterment Assessment for Leeward Lane a as…Motion: to Certify the Betterment Assessment for Leeward Lane a as presentedPassed · see note
March 26, 2018: Certify the Betterment Assessment for Leeward Lane a as presented
ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes
To Certify the Betterment Assessment for Leeward Lane a as presented
The roll call in the town's text does not list John Cahalane, who was on the attendance line, and no count can be read. Showing the result only.
From the minutes
“Motion ane:lotion made by Selectman Gottlieb to Certify the Betterment Assessment for Leeward Lane a as presented,, Motion seconded by Selectman Sherman6 VOTE: Unanimous. -o. Roll Fall Vote. Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Cahalan e,yes Selectman Gottlieb,yes Opposed, none.” (Motion: Gottlieb, second: Sherman)
Mar 26Defer the above referenced topic; Certification of Betterment Assessments…Motion: to defer the above referenced topic; Certification of Betterment Assessments for…Passed · see note
March 26, 2018: Defer the above referenced topic; Certification of Betterment Assessments for a report on this issue at the next meeting
ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes
To defer the above referenced topic; Certification of Betterment Assessments for a report on this issue at the next meeting
Joint vote with another board; only the Select Board members’ votes are shown. The roll call in the town's text does not list Thomas O'Hara, who was on the attendance line, and no count can be read. Showing the result only.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Selectman Gottlieb to defer the above referenced topic; Certification of Betterment Assessments for a report on this issue at the next meeting. Notion seconded by Selectman Shermam, VOTE t Unanimous. -o. Roll Call Vote& Selectman -'Mara,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Cahalane,yes Selectman Gottlieb,yes Opposed, none.” (Motion: Gottlieb, second: Sherman)
Mar 26Certify and confirm the Hiring Process for the appointment…Motion: to certify and confirm the Hiring Process for the appointment of…Passed · see note
March 26, 2018: Certify and confirm the Hiring Process for the appointment of Katie Hennessey to the entry level position of Police officer for the Town of Mashpee
AppointPassed · No count or names in the minutes
To certify and confirm the Hiring Process for the appointment of Katie Hennessey to the entry level position of Police officer for the Town of Mashpee
The roll call in the town's text does not list John Cahalane, who was on the attendance line, and no count can be read. Showing the result only.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Selectman Gottlieb to certify and confirm the Hiring Process for the appointment of Katie Hennessey to the entry level position of Police officer for the Town of Mashpee. Motion seconded by Selectman Sherman. VOTE: Unanimous. -o. Roll Call Vote Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Cahalan e,yes Selectman Gottlieb,yes Opposed, none.” (Motion: Gottlieb, second: Sherman)
Mar 26Move forward with Ballot Question#4, stating very clear it…Motion: to move forward with Ballot Question#4, stating very clear it is…Passed 4–1 · No: Gottlieb
March 26, 2018: Move forward with Ballot Question#4, stating very clear it is a Non-Binding Question for the purpose of creating a survey regarding recreational marijuana establishments
ApprovePassed · 4–1
To move forward with Ballot Question#4, stating very clear it is a Non-Binding Question for the purpose of creating a survey regarding recreational marijuana establishments
Yes: Cahalane, Cotton, O'Hara, ShermanNo: Gottlieb
From the minutes
“Motion made by Selectman Cotton to move forward with Ballot Question#4, stating very clear it is a Non-Binding Question for the purpose of creating a survey regarding recreational marijuana establishments. Motion seconded by Selectman Sherman. VOTE: 4-1. Motion carries. Roll Call vote: Selectman. O'Hara,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman Sherman,yes - Selectman Cahalane,yes Selectman Gottlieb, no opposed, 1).” (Motion: Cotton, second: Sherman)
“Motion made by Selectman Gottlieb to include and support Article ##19 on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, and not recommend Article #18. Motion seconded by Selectman Sherman. VOTE-*, 4-1. Roll Call Vote. Selectman O'Hara, yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Cahalane, no Selectman Gottlieb}yes opposed, (1).” (Motion: Gottlieb, second: Sherman)
Mar 12Send communication to the Barnstable County Commissioners in support…Motion: to send communication to the Barnstable County Commissioners in support of…Passed 5–0 · see note
March 12, 2018: Send communication to the Barnstable County Commissioners in support of the nerd orps program requesting consistent fundiniz for this much needed program
ApprovePassed · 5–0
To send communication to the Barnstable County Commissioners in support of the nerd orps program requesting consistent fundiniz for this much needed program
The minutes give the count as 5-0-0, but the roll call reads: Thomas O'Hara yes, Carol Sherman yes, John Cahalane yes, Andrew Gottlieb yes. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Selectman Cahalane to send communication to the Barnstable County Commissioners in support of the nerd orps program requesting consistent fundiniz for this much needed program. Motion seconded by Selectman Cotton. VOTE: Unanimous. 5-0. Roll Call Vote: Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Cotton,des Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Cahalane,yes Selectman Gottlieb,yes opposed, crone.” (Motion: Cahalane, second: Cotton)
Mar 12Remove Article##10 from the May 2018 'down Meeting warrant…Motion: to remove Article##10 from the May 2018 'down Meeting warrant for…Passed 3–2 · No: Cotton, Gottlieb
March 12, 2018: Remove Article##10 from the May 2018 'down Meeting warrant for deferral until the October 2018 Town Meeting
ApprovePassed · 3–2
To remove Article##10 from the May 2018 'down Meeting warrant for deferral until the October 2018 Town Meeting
Yes: Cahalane, O'Hara, ShermanNo: Cotton, Gottlieb
From the minutes
“.lotion made by Selectman Cahalane to remove Article##10 from the May 2018 'down Meeting warrant for deferral until the October 2018 Town Meeting. Motion seconded by Selectman Sherman' VOTE: Motion carries. 3-2t Roll CallVote. Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Cotton,no Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Cahalane,yes Selectman Gottlieb, no opposed, (2).” (Motion: Cahalane, second: Sherman)
From the Mashpee Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Laserfiche records archive (linked as “View Most Recent Minutes” on the town’s Select Board page). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Mashpee (Select Board page)