How the Natick Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. After the March 2018 town election the same five members served. On March 28, 2018 the board chose Amy Mistrot as Chair, Susan Salamoff as Vice-Chair and Michael Hickey as Clerk (each 5-0-0). Amy Mistrot resigned effective March 26, 2019. Covers 56 meetings, March 28 to March 25, 2019.
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 Natick, 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. Town Meeting members are elected by precinct; counts are from the town’s electronic voting.
Spring Annual Town Meeting, April 30 session (electronic votes only) · April 30, 2026 10 votes: 10 passed
Not here yet: Natick's 2026 Spring Annual Town Meeting has no Town Clerk minutes posted yet, so only its electronic votes from April 28 and April 30, 2026 are here; the 2026 Fall Annual Town Meeting starts October 20, 2026.
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: Natick Select Board minutes from January 16, 2018 through August 11, 2026: 339 meetings and 2,671 votes. The town posts the board’s minutes on yearly pages (2013–2026) linked from its Minutes page; MassVoter loaded January 2018 on. The board was the Board of Selectmen until 2020; its minutes are headed “Select Board” from July 15, 2020. The minutes are typed documents with searchable text. A few files carry the wrong date: two 2026 files are titled “February 25, 2025” and “February 4, 2025,” and others repeat an earlier meeting’s date in the heading (the May 27, 2026 minutes are headed May 13; the July 9, 2026 minutes are headed July 8). MassVoter dated each meeting from its contents and the town’s meeting list. Not here: executive-session minutes (27 released executive-session files on the yearly pages are not loaded); the votes of the School Committee and other boards at joint meetings; and meetings on the town’s video and agenda list (Granicus) with no minutes posted – about 150 sessions from 2018 to September 2026, some of them executive-session-only meetings, site walks or events where no business was done, and, since July 2025, the meetings of July 14 and October 7, 2025 (a workshop on the Johnson School), March 9 and May 6, 2026 (board retreats) and June 24, 2026. MassVoter is asking the town for the missing minutes. Minutes after August 11, 2026 are not posted yet (July 22, August 18, August 19, August 24, September 2 (two sessions), September 9, September 16 and September 30, 2026). Natick’s minutes name the mover and seconder; most votes read “The motion passed unanimously” or give a count (“Motion approved 5-0-0”), shown as every member present voting yes when the count equals the members present. Roll calls by name (the 2020–2021 remote meetings and many 2025–2026 votes: “Roll call vote: Ms. Coughlin: Yes, Mr. Sidney: Yes, …”) are shown by name; split votes usually name the members who voted no or abstained (“Motion passed 4-1-0 … with Ms. Coughlin opposed”), shown with the other members present voting yes. Where the count does not fit the members present or the minutes do not say who voted no or abstained (“4-0-1”), we show the count only (23 votes); where the minutes give no count and no unanimity wording, and for choices between candidates by ballot, we show the result only (51 votes). Failed motions are shown member by member when the minutes name the voters (6 failed votes). Members who arrived late or left early are not shown in the votes they missed. A motion with no recorded outcome is not counted as a vote. 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.
Mar 4Appoint Ms. Smith-Freedman to the term expiring June 30,…Motion: Mr. Hickey moved to appoint Ms. Smith-Freedman to the term expiring…Passed 4–0 · see note
March 4, 2019: Appoint Ms. Smith-Freedman to the term expiring June 30, 2020
AppointPassed · 4–0
Mr. Hickey moved to appoint Ms. Smith-Freedman to the term expiring June 30, 2020. Ms. Salamoff seconded the motion. 4-0-0 approval.
Yes: Hickey, Jennett, Mistrot, SalamoffThe minutes say Jonathan H. Freedman left the room at 8:19 p.m. and returned after this vote, so Jonathan H. Freedman is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Mr. Hickey moved to appoint Ms. Smith-Freedman to the term expiring June 30, 2020. Ms. Salamoff seconded the motion. 4-0-0 approval..” (Motion: Hickey, second: Salamoff)
Mar 4Appoint Ms. Mori to the term expiring June 30,…Motion: Mr. Jennett moved to appoint Ms. Mori to the term expiring…Passed 4–0 · see note
March 4, 2019: Appoint Ms. Mori to the term expiring June 30, 2021
AppointPassed · 4–0
Mr. Jennett moved to appoint Ms. Mori to the term expiring June 30, 2021. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion. 4-0- 0 approval.
Yes: Hickey, Jennett, Mistrot, SalamoffThe minutes say Jonathan H. Freedman left the room at 8:19 p.m. and returned after this vote, so Jonathan H. Freedman is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Mr. Jennett moved to appoint Ms. Mori to the term expiring June 30, 2021. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion. 4-0- 0 approval..” (Motion: Jennett, second: Hickey)
Feb 4Approved the Letter of Non-Opposition contingent upon execution of…Motion: Moved by Mr. Freedman and seconded by Mr. Jennett, the Board…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Mistrot
February 4, 2019: Approved the Letter of Non-Opposition contingent upon execution of a Host Community Agreement. Ms. Mistrot abstained
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Moved by Mr. Freedman and seconded by Mr. Jennett, the Board voted 4-0-1 to approved the Letter of Non-Opposition contingent upon execution of a Host Community Agreement. Ms. Mistrot abstained.
Yes: Freedman, Hickey, Jennett, SalamoffAbstained: MistrotThe minutes give the count as 4-0-1 and name the exception (“Ms. Mistrot abstained”); the other members present are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Moved by Mr. Freedman and seconded by Mr. Jennett, the Board voted 4-0-1 to approved the Letter of Non-Opposition contingent upon execution of a Host Community Agreement. Ms. Mistrot abstained..” (Motion: Freedman, second: Jennett)
Jan 22Increase bag fees to $1.25 per small bag and…Motion: Moved by Ms. Salamoff and seconded by Mr. Jennett, the Board…Passed 4–1 · No: Hickey
January 22, 2019: Increase bag fees to $1.25 per small bag and $2.25 per large bag effective April 1st
ApprovePassed · 4–1
Moved by Ms. Salamoff and seconded by Mr. Jennett, the Board voted 4-1-0 (Mr. Hickey's the dissenting vote) to increase bag fees to $1.25 per small bag and $2.25 per large bag effective April 1st.
Yes: Freedman, Jennett, Mistrot, SalamoffNo: HickeyThe minutes give the count as 4-1-0 and name the exception (“Mr. Hickey's the dissenting”); the other members present are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Moved by Ms. Salamoff and seconded by Mr. Jennett, the Board voted 4-1-0 (Mr. Hickey's the dissenting vote) to increase bag fees to $1.25 per small bag and $2.25 per large bag effective April 1st..” (Motion: Salamoff, second: Jennett)
Jan 7Proceed with vetting the Natick Soldier Systems proposal. Mr.…Motion: Following further discussion, Ms. Salamoff, seconded by Mr. Freedman, voted 3-0-1…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Hickey
January 7, 2019: Proceed with vetting the Natick Soldier Systems proposal. Mr. Hickey abstained
ApprovePassed · 3–0
Following further discussion, Ms. Salamoff, seconded by Mr. Freedman, voted 3-0-1 to proceed with vetting the Natick Soldier Systems proposal. Mr. Hickey abstained.
Yes: Freedman, Mistrot, SalamoffAbstained: HickeyThe minutes give the count as 3-0-1 and name the exception (“Mr. Hickey abstained”); the other members present are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Following further discussion, Ms. Salamoff, seconded by Mr. Freedman, voted 3-0-1 to proceed with vetting the Natick Soldier Systems proposal. Mr. Hickey abstained..” (Motion: Salamoff, second: Freedman)
Dec 17Call the 2019 Spring Annual Town Meeting for Tuesday,…Motion: Moved by Ms. Salamoff and seconded by Mr. Hickey, the Board…Passed 4–0 · see note
December 17, 2018: Call the 2019 Spring Annual Town Meeting for Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at Natick High School
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Moved by Ms. Salamoff and seconded by Mr. Hickey, the Board voted 4-0-0 to call the 2019 Spring Annual Town Meeting for Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at Natick High School.
Yes: Hickey, Jennett, Mistrot, SalamoffJonathan H. Freedman arrived at 7:31 p.m., after this vote, and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Moved by Ms. Salamoff and seconded by Mr. Hickey, the Board voted 4-0-0 to call the 2019 Spring Annual Town Meeting for Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at Natick High School..” (Motion: Salamoff, second: Hickey)
Dec 17In favor of appointing both Mr. Lodding and Mr.…Motion: Moved by Mr. Jennett and seconded by Mr. Hickey, the Board…Passed 4–0 · see note
December 17, 2018: In favor of appointing both Mr. Lodding and Mr. Panchuck to the Committee
AppointPassed · 4–0
Moved by Mr. Jennett and seconded by Mr. Hickey, the Board voted 4-0-0 in favor of appointing both Mr. Lodding and Mr. Panchuck to the Committee.
Yes: Hickey, Jennett, Mistrot, SalamoffJonathan H. Freedman arrived at 7:31 p.m., after this vote, and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Moved by Mr. Jennett and seconded by Mr. Hickey, the Board voted 4-0-0 in favor of appointing both Mr. Lodding and Mr. Panchuck to the Committee..” (Motion: Jennett, second: Hickey)
Dec 17Approve the conservation restriction amendment as presented. Mr. Hickey…Motion: Moved by Mr. Freedman and seconded by Ms. Salamoff, the Board…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Hickey
December 17, 2018: Approve the conservation restriction amendment as presented. Mr. Hickey abstained from voting
ApprovePassed · 4–0
Moved by Mr. Freedman and seconded by Ms. Salamoff, the Board voted 4-0-1 to approve the conservation restriction amendment as presented. Mr. Hickey abstained from voting.
Yes: Freedman, Jennett, Mistrot, SalamoffAbstained: HickeyThe minutes give the count as 4-0-1 and name the exception (“Mr. Hickey abstained”); the other members present are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Moved by Mr. Freedman and seconded by Ms. Salamoff, the Board voted 4-0-1 to approve the conservation restriction amendment as presented. Mr. Hickey abstained from voting..” (Motion: Freedman, second: Salamoff)
Dec 17In favor of the change, with Mr. Hickey and…Motion: After further extensive discussion about rates, communication, lot maintenance, and the…Passed 3–2 · No: Hickey, Salamoff
December 17, 2018: In favor of the change, with Mr. Hickey and Ms. Salamoff in opposition to the change, wanting the fee to remain unchanged from the current fee
ApprovePassed · 3–2
After further extensive discussion about rates, communication, lot maintenance, and the business community, Mr. Jennett moved to change the annual rate to $375. Mr. Freedman seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-2-0 in favor of the change, with Mr. Hickey and Ms. Salamoff in opposition to the change, wanting the fee to remain unchanged from the current fee.
Yes: Freedman, Jennett, MistrotNo: Hickey, SalamoffThe minutes give the count as 3-2-0 and name the exception (“Mr. Hickey and Ms. Salamoff in opposition”); the other members present are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“After further extensive discussion about rates, communication, lot maintenance, and the business community, Mr. Jennett moved to change the annual rate to $375. Mr. Freedman seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-2-0 in favor of the change, with Mr. Hickey and Ms. Salamoff in opposition to the change, wanting the fee to remain unchanged from the current fee..” (Motion: Jennett, second: Freedman)
Dec 13In favor of Ms. Mistrot's motion, Mr. Hickey casting…Motion: After a few other attempts at amending the motion, the final…Passed 4–1 · No: Hickey
December 13, 2018: In favor of Ms. Mistrot's motion, Mr. Hickey casting the dissenting vote, noting that he did not like the process or the sequencing
ApprovePassed · 4–1
After a few other attempts at amending the motion, the final motion by Ms. Mistrot, seconded by Ms. Salamoff, was to support the Town Administrator's desire to create a single facilities management reporting structure in collaboration with and respect for all Town departments, including the School Department, that will be served under this structure. Mr. Hickey asked if supporting this motion would support the job description as written, noting that he had been prepared to deal with the job description subject to discussing changes with the School Department and leaving the supervisory structure for inclusion in a revised MOA. Ms. Mistrot said it would not, that the focus was simply on the reporting structure. Mr. Hickey stated he felt the reporting structure was separate from the job description. The Board voted 4-1-0 in favor of Ms. Mistrot's motion, Mr. Hickey casting the dissenting vote, noting that he did not like the process or the sequencing.
Yes: Freedman, Jennett, Mistrot, SalamoffNo: HickeyThe minutes give the count as 4-1-0 and name the exception (“Mr. Hickey casting the dissenting”); the other members present are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“After a few other attempts at amending the motion, the final motion by Ms. Mistrot, seconded by Ms. Salamoff, was to support the Town Administrator's desire to create a single facilities management reporting structure in collaboration with and respect for all Town departments, including the School Department, that will be served under this structure. Mr. Hickey asked if supporting this motion would support the job description as written, noting that he had been prepared to deal with the job description subject to discussing changes with the School Department and leaving the supervisory structure for inclusion in a revised MOA. Ms. Mistrot said it would not, that the focus was simply on the reporting structure. Mr. Hickey stated he felt the reporting structure was separate from the job description. The Board voted 4-1-0 in favor of Ms. Mistrot's motion, Mr. Hickey casting the dissenting vote, noting that he did not like the process or the sequencing..” (Motion: Mistrot, second: Salamoff)
From the Natick Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the yearly minutes pages linked from the town’s Minutes page. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): Natick Report — Kristen Pope and Cody Jacobs (March 2026), Bruce Evans (March 2025) and Linda Wollschlager (March 2024 swearing-in, captioned); Natick Patch — Kathryn Coughlin (March 2022, courtesy of the candidate). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.