← Mashpee Select Board
Photo of John Cotton

Mashpee Chair

John Cotton

Elected townwide · 10 terms in this record

John J. Cotton

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Board years

Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2019–2020 Board

35 of 36meetings attended (97%) · whole board 98%
330votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
3no votes (<1% of votes cast) · whole board 1%
1 of 10split votes where Cotton was in the minority (10%) · whole board 24%
0abstained
10terms in this record

On split votes, Cotton voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2019–2020 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Cotton 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 John Cotton in the headline or opening.

Stories that name John Cotton 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 35 of 36 Select Board meetings in 2019–2020 Board.

Missed

Every meeting (36)

Votes where members disagreed · 2019–2020 Board

Jun 29Authorize the refinement of the language of the statement,…Motion: to authorize the refinement of the language of the statement, and…Passed 4–0 · Cotton: Yes

June 29, 2020: Authorize the refinement of the language of the statement, and authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to execute the final draft of the statement regarding the Town of…

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To authorize the refinement of the language of the statement, and authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to execute the final draft of the statement regarding the Town of Mashpee's continued support of the Land in Trust

Voted: Yes

Yes: Cotton, Gottlieb, O'Hara, ShermanThe roll call lists David Weeden as recused.

From the minutes

“Motion made by Selectman Sherman to authorize the refinement of the language of the statement, and authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to execute the final draft of the statement regarding the Town of Mashpee's continued support of the Land in Trust. Motion seconded by Selectman O'Hara. VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0-1. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Gottlieb,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Weeden, recused Opposed, none.” (Motion: Sherman, second: O'Hara)

Read it in the official minutes, page 11 (PDF)

May 18Replace the Fee Schedule adopted at the prior Board…Motion: to replace the Fee Schedule adopted at the prior Board of…Passed 4–0 · Cotton: Yes

May 18, 2020: Replace the Fee Schedule adopted at the prior Board of Selectmen's meeting, and adopt the revised Short Term Registration Fees; $25 per rental property and $75 per dwelling unit with…

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To replace the Fee Schedule adopted at the prior Board of Selectmen's meeting, and adopt the revised Short Term Registration Fees; $25 per rental property and $75 per dwelling unit with the directive for inspections as outlined

Voted: Yes

Yes: Cotton, Gottlieb, Sherman, WeedenAbstained: O'Hara

From the minutes

“Motion made by Selectman Sherman to replace the Fee Schedule adopted at the prior Board of Selectmen's meeting, and adopt the revised Short Term Registration Fees; $25 per rental property and $75 per dwelling unit with the directive for inspections as outlined. Motion seconded by Selectmen Weeden. VOTE: 4-0-1. Motion carries. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Gottlieb,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman O'Hara, abstained Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Weeden,yes Opposed, none.” (Motion: Sherman, second: Weeden)

Read it in the official minutes, page 10 (PDF)

May 4Add: The Fee Schedule shall go into effect on…Motion: to add: The Fee Schedule shall go into effect on May…Passed 4–0 · Cotton: Yes

May 4, 2020: Add: The Fee Schedule shall go into effect on May 18, 2020; a CY fee would apply to the balance of 2020

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To add: The Fee Schedule shall go into effect on May 18, 2020; a CY fee would apply to the balance of 2020. The mechanism is the time of registration

Voted: Yes

Yes: Cotton, Gottlieb, Sherman, WeedenAbstained: O'Hara

From the minutes

“Motion amended by Selectman Weeden to add: The Fee Schedule shall go into effect on May 18, 2020; a CY fee would apply to the balance of 2020. The mechanism is the time of registration. Motion seconded by Selectman Cotton. VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0-1. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Gottlieb,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman O'Hara, abstained Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Weeden,yes Opposed, none.” (Motion: Weeden, second: Cotton)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Apr 6Move the Board.vote to maintain the date of May…Motion: to move the Board.vote to maintain the date of May 19,2020…Passed 4–1 · Cotton: Yes

April 6, 2020: Move the Board.vote to maintain the date of May 19,2020 for the Annual Town Election and relocate the polling place from the Quashnet School to the Mashpee Town Hall and…

ApprovePassed · 4–1

To move the Board.vote to maintain the date of May 19,2020 for the Annual Town Election and relocate the polling place from the Quashnet School to the Mashpee Town Hall and that the time for the opening and closing of the polls for said Annual Town Election be 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, respectively

Voted: Yes

Yes: Cotton, Gottlieb, O'Hara, ShermanNo: Weeden

From the minutes

“Motion made by Selectman Cotton to move the Board.vote to maintain the date of May 19,2020 for the Annual Town Election and relocate the polling place from the Quashnet School to the Mashpee Town Hall and that the time for the opening and closing of the polls for said Annual Town Election be 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, respectively. Motion seconded by Selectman Sherman. VOTE: 4-1. Motion carries. Selectman Gottlieb,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Weeden, no Opposed, (1).” (Motion: Cotton, second: Sherman)

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Mar 23Approve the extension of the term of the Memorandum…Motion: to approve the extension of the term of the Memorandum of…Passed 4–0 · Cotton: Yes

March 23, 2020: Approve the extension of the term of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Mashpee and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe for the Provision of Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Services and...

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To approve the extension of the term of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Mashpee and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe for the Provision of Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Services and Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Assistance until September 1, 2020

Voted: Yes

Yes: Cotton, Gottlieb, O'Hara, ShermanThe roll call lists David Weeden as recused.

From the minutes

“Motion made by Selectman O'Hara to approve the extension of the term of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Mashpee and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe for the Provision of Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Services and Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Assistance until September 1, 2020. Motion seconded by Selectman Cotton. VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Gottlieb,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Weeden, recused Opposed, none.” (Motion: O'Hara, second: Cotton)

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

Mar 23Not support Article 32 at this timeMotion: to not support Article 32 at this timeFailed 2–3 · Cotton: No

March 23, 2020: Not support Article 32 at this time

ApproveFailed · 2–3

To not support Article 32 at this time

Voted: No

Yes: O'Hara, ShermanNo: Cotton, Gottlieb, Weeden

From the minutes

“Motion made by Selectman Sherman to not support Article 32 at this time. Motion seconded by Selectman O'Hara. VOTE: 2-3. Motion fails. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Gottlieb, no Selectman Cotton, no Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Weeden, no Opposed, (3).” (Motion: Sherman, second: O'Hara)

Read it in the official minutes, page 11 (PDF)

Mar 23Recommend Petition Article 32Motion: to recommend Petition Article 32Passed 3–2 · Cotton: Yes

March 23, 2020: Recommend Petition Article 32

ApprovePassed · 3–2

To recommend Petition Article 32

Voted: Yes

Yes: Cotton, Gottlieb, WeedenNo: O'Hara, Sherman

From the minutes

“Motion made by Selectman Cotton to recommend Petition Article 32. Motion seconded by Selectman Weeden. VOTE: 3-2. Motion carries. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Gottlieb,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman O'Hara, no Selectman Sherman, no Selectman Weeden,yes Opposed, (2).” (Motion: Cotton, second: Weeden)

Read it in the official minutes, page 11 (PDF)

Mar 2Approve the proposed changes to the Shellfish Regulations; specifically,…Motion: to approve the proposed changes to the Shellfish Regulations; specifically, a…Passed 4–0 · Cotton: Yes

March 2, 2020: Approve the proposed changes to the Shellfish Regulations; specifically, a proposal to designate 1.9 acres of area at Mashpee Neck Landing as a non-commercial, family shellfishing area effective;...

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To approve the proposed changes to the Shellfish Regulations; specifically, a proposal to designate 1.9 acres of area at Mashpee Neck Landing as a non-commercial, family shellfishing area effective; March 2, 2020

Voted: Yes

Yes: Cotton, Gottlieb, O'Hara, ShermanAbstained: Weeden

From the minutes

“Motion made by Selectman Sherman to approve the proposed changes to the Shellfish Regulations; specifically, a proposal to designate 1.9 acres of area at Mashpee Neck Landing as a non-commercial, family shellfishing area effective; March 2, 2020. Motion seconded by Selectman O'Hara. VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0-1. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Gottlieb,yes Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Weeden, abstained Opposed, none.” (Motion: Sherman, second: O'Hara)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Mar 2Increase the lst Household Sticker to $175, all other…Motion: to increase the lst Household Sticker to $175, all other costs…Failed 1–4 · Cotton: Yes

March 2, 2020: Increase the lst Household Sticker to $175, all other costs would remain the same

ApproveFailed · 1–4

To increase the lst Household Sticker to $175, all other costs would remain the same

Voted: Yes

Yes: CottonNo: Gottlieb, O'Hara, Sherman, Weeden

From the minutes

“Motion made by Selectman Cotton to increase the lst Household Sticker to $175, all other costs would remain the same. Motion seconded by Selectman Gottlieb. VOTE: 1-4. Motion fails. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Gottlieb, no Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman O'Hara, no Selectman Sherman, no Selectman Weeden, no Opposed, (4).” (Motion: Cotton, second: Gottlieb)

Read it in the official minutes, page 12 (PDF)

Mar 2Increase the 1st Household Sticker to $185,with additional costs…Motion: to increase the 1st Household Sticker to $185,with additional costs set…Passed 3–2 · Cotton: Yes

March 2, 2020: Increase the 1st Household Sticker to $185,with additional costs set as presented

ApprovePassed · 3–2

To increase the 1st Household Sticker to $185,with additional costs set as presented

Voted: Yes

Yes: Cotton, O'Hara, ShermanNo: Gottlieb, Weeden

From the minutes

“Motion made by Selectman O'Hara to increase the 1st Household Sticker to $185,with additional costs set as presented. Motion seconded by Selectman Sherman. VOTE: 3-2. Motion carries. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Gottlieb, no Selectman Cotton,yes Selectman O'Hara,yes Selectman Sherman,yes Selectman Weeden, no Opposed, (2).” (Motion: O'Hara, second: Sherman)

Read it in the official minutes, page 13 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (316)

    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)

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