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Norwood Board of Selectmen
How the Norwood Board of Selectmen voted, from the Board of Selectmen’s official minutes. 5 Selectmen elected townwide. Same five members after the April 7, 2025 town election (Robert Donnelly and Amanda Grow re-elected). On April 8, 2025 the board chose Amanda Grow as Chair and William Plasko as Vice Chair. Covers 21 meetings, April 8 to March 10, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Board of Selectmen 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 Board of Selectmen, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetBoard years
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Norwood’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
Members
ChairAmanda GrowChair · Elected townwide · at 18 of 21 meetingsVice-ChairWilliam PlaskoVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 17 of 21 meetings
Robert DonnellyMember · Elected townwide · at 20 of 21 meetings
Matthew LaneMember · Elected townwide · at 20 of 21 meetings
Michael SaadMember · Elected townwide · at 18 of 21 meetings"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: Board of Selectmen minutes from January 8, 2018 through July 14, 2026 (247 meetings). Some 2020–2026 files are scanned pages, which we read with text recognition. Not here: minutes after July 14, 2026 (August 11, September 8 and September 22, 2026 are not posted yet); no minutes at all from March 24 to September 15, 2020, although the town lists agendas for 17 meetings in that time; February 10, March 3, March 24 (approved April 28, 2026) and June 30, 2026, and December 16, 2025, which have agendas but no minutes; and about a dozen other dates since 2018 with an agenda but no minutes, some of them Town Meeting nights or executive sessions. The March 27, 2018 link opens the February 27, 2018 minutes, so that meeting is missing too. How votes were read: until early 2023 the minutes usually say only who made and seconded a motion and that the board “voted”, with no count; we show those votes as passed with no names, never as unanimous. When the minutes say a vote was unanimous we show every Selectman present as voting yes; when they give a count and name who voted no or abstained, and it adds up to the members present, we show each member’s vote. In early 2023 several minutes say only “Carried”, and we show the result only. From mid-2023 the minutes list each member under Aye, Nay, Abstain or Absent for almost every vote. Where a count does not match the members present, a mover or seconder is missing from the attendance line, or a roll call leaves out a member who was there, we show the count or result only and add a note. Motions written down with no vote after them are not included. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Jan 13Instruct her that the remaining year left on Mr.…Motion: Motion to advise the Town Clerk that the Board of Selectman…Passed · see note
January 13, 2026: Instruct her that the remaining year left on Mr. Plasko’s term shall be placed on the April 6, 2026 Town Election
Motion to advise the Town Clerk that the Board of Selectman has voted to instruct her that the remaining year left on Mr. Plasko’s term shall be placed on the April 6, 2026 Town Election. Moved by: Matthew Lane Seconded by: Robert Donnelly .
The minutes say only “voted”, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Motion to advise the Town Clerk that the Board of Selectman has voted to instruct her that the remaining year left on Mr. Plasko’s term shall be placed on the April 6, 2026 Town Election. Moved by: Matthew Lane Seconded by: Robert Donnelly ..”
Dec 9Approve – Hometown ArcadeMotion: Motion to approve.Passed 3–0 · see note
December 9, 2025: Approve – Hometown Arcade
Motion to approve.
The minutes give the count as 3-0, but the names listed add up to 3-1. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve. Moved by: Robert Donnelly Seconded by: Matthew Lane Roll Call Vote, Aye Amanda Grow, Robert Donnelly, Matthew Lane Nay William Plasko The Committee reserves the right to consider items on the agenda out of order. This listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. Not all items may in fact be discussed; and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Absent Michael Saad Carried 3-0.” (Motion: Donnelly, second: Lane)
Nov 12Article 9: accept the plan as presented, moving the…Motion: Motion made by Robert Donnelly that Article 9, we accept the…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note
November 12, 2025 (Joint meeting): Article 9: accept the plan as presented, moving the Fire Truck project from borrowing to free cash (supporting the Finance Commission’s recommendation)
Motion made by Robert Donnelly that Article 9, we accept the plan as presented with the exception that we agree to move the Fire Truck project from borrowing to free cash. (Support the Finance Commission’s recommendation)
Matthew Lane had left before the votes were taken.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Robert Donnelly that Article 9, we accept the plan as presented with the exception that we agree to move the Fire Truck project from borrowing to free cash. (Support the Finance Commission’s recommendation), seconded by William Plasko. Roll call vote: yes: William Plasko, Michael Saad, Robert Donnelly, Amanda Grow Absent: Matthew Lane Carried 4-0.” (Motion: Donnelly, second: Plasko)
Oct 28Approve the most recent draft (October 20, 2025) and…Motion: Motion to have the Board approve the most recent draft (October…Passed · see note
October 28, 2025: Approve the most recent draft (October 20, 2025) and authorize and request Selectmen Donnelly to confer with the Finance Commission and School Committee, that this if it goes forward and...
Motion to have the Board approve the most recent draft (October 20, 2025) and authorize and request Selectmen Donnelly to confer with the Finance Commission and School Committee, that this if it goes forward and finalized, is part of our financial policy which states that all three groups must approve. Moved by: William Plasko Seconded by: Robert Donnelly Aye Amanda Grow, William Plasko, Matthew Lane, Robert Donnelly, and Michael Saad.
The minutes say only “the Board approve”, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Motion to have the Board approve the most recent draft (October 20, 2025) and authorize and request Selectmen Donnelly to confer with the Finance Commission and School Committee, that this if it goes forward and finalized, is part of our financial policy which states that all three groups must approve. Moved by: William Plasko Seconded by: Robert Donnelly Aye Amanda Grow, William Plasko, Matthew Lane, Robert Donnelly, and Michael Saad..”
Oct 14Support Article 5 – Special Town Meeting Yellow SheetMotion: Motion to support Article 5.Failed 2–3 · No: Grow, Plasko, Saad
October 14, 2025: Support Article 5 – Special Town Meeting Yellow Sheet
Motion to support Article 5.
Yes: Donnelly, LaneNo: Grow, Plasko, Saad
From the minutes
“Motion to support Article 5. Moved by: Robert Donnelly Seconded by: Matthew Lane Aye Robert Donnelly and Matthew Lane Nay Amanda Grow, William Plasko, Michael Saad Failed 2-3.” (Motion: Donnelly, second: Lane)
Oct 14Will render its opinion on Article 6 at or…Motion: Motion that the Board will render its opinion on Article 6…Passed 3–2 · No: Plasko, Saad
October 14, 2025: Will render its opinion on Article 6 at or prior to Special Town Meeting
Motion that the Board will render its opinion on Article 6 at or prior to Special Town Meeting.
Yes: Donnelly, Grow, LaneNo: Plasko, Saad
From the minutes
“Motion that the Board will render its opinion on Article 6 at or prior to Special Town Meeting. Moved by: Robert Donnelly Seconded by: Amanda Grow The Committee reserves the right to consider items on the agenda out of order. This listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. Not all items may in fact be discussed; and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Aye Amanda Grow, Robert Donnelly, and Matthew Lane Nay William Plasko and Michael Saad Carried 3-2.” (Motion: Donnelly, second: Grow)
Jul 8Approve the application for an all alcohol license for…Motion: Motion to approve the application for an all alcohol license for…Failed · see note
July 8, 2025: Approve the application for an all alcohol license for the Gyro and Kebab house
Motion to approve the application for an all alcohol license for the Gyro and Kebab house. Moved by: Matthew Lane Seconded by: Robert Donnelly Aye Robert Donnelly, and Matthew Lane The Committee reserves the right to consider items on the agenda out of order. This listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. Not all items may in fact be discussed; and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Nay Amanda Grow, William Plasko, and Michael Saad, Carried 2-3 Motion failed.
The minutes say only “Motion failed”, with no count or names.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the application for an all alcohol license for the Gyro and Kebab house. Moved by: Matthew Lane Seconded by: Robert Donnelly Aye Robert Donnelly, and Matthew Lane The Committee reserves the right to consider items on the agenda out of order. This listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. Not all items may in fact be discussed; and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Nay Amanda Grow, William Plasko, and Michael Saad, Carried 2-3 Motion failed..”
Jul 8Approve the application for an all alcohol license for…Motion: Motion to approve the application for an all alcohol license for…Failed 2–3 · No: Grow, Plasko, Saad
July 8, 2025: Approve the application for an all alcohol license for the Gyro and Kebab house
Motion to approve the application for an all alcohol license for the Gyro and Kebab house.
Yes: Donnelly, LaneNo: Grow, Plasko, Saad
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the application for an all alcohol license for the Gyro and Kebab house. Moved by: Matthew Lane Seconded by: Robert Donnelly Aye Robert Donnelly, and Matthew Lane The Committee reserves the right to consider items on the agenda out of order. This listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. Not all items may in fact be discussed; and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Nay Amanda Grow, William Plasko, and Michael Saad, Carried 2-3.” (Motion: Lane, second: Donnelly)
Jul 8Deny the license based on the application and testimony…Motion: Motion to deny the license based on the application and testimony…Passed 3–2 · No: Donnelly, Lane
July 8, 2025: Deny the license based on the application and testimony at the hearing that in the Board’s opinion that the application does not sufficiently provide enough public good and benefit in…
Motion to deny the license based on the application and testimony at the hearing that in the Board’s opinion that the application does not sufficiently provide enough public good and benefit in considering all the factors and a number of other licensed establishments within the immediate area, the lack of table service, and other amenities that we think is a proper for the use of a full liquor license on premises, and therefore deny the license.
Yes: Grow, Plasko, SaadNo: Donnelly, Lane
From the minutes
“Motion to deny the license based on the application and testimony at the hearing that in the Board’s opinion that the application does not sufficiently provide enough public good and benefit in considering all the factors and a number of other licensed establishments within the immediate area, the lack of table service, and other amenities that we think is a proper for the use of a full liquor license on premises, and therefore deny the license. Moved by: William Plasko Seconded by: Michael Saad Aye Amanda Grow, William Plasko, and Michael Saad. Nay Robert Donnelly, and Matthew Lane Carried 3-2.” (Motion: Plasko, second: Saad)
Jun 10Approve the license with the stipulations that Mr. Plasko…Motion: Motion to approve the license with the stipulations that Mr. Plasko…Failed · see note
June 10, 2025: Approve the license with the stipulations that Mr. Plasko indicated, license includes detail regarding days and times of operations and adding restriction that there will be no outdoor dining and...
Motion to approve the license with the stipulations that Mr. Plasko indicated, license includes detail regarding days and times of operations and adding restriction that there will be no outdoor dining and that restriction be made clear to the licensee and patrons.
The minutes say only “Motion failed”, with no names or count.
From the minutes
“Motion to approve the license with the stipulations that Mr. Plasko indicated, license includes detail regarding days and times of operations and adding restriction that there will be no outdoor dining and that restriction be made clear to the licensee and patrons. Moved by: Robert Donnelly, with no second. Motion failed.” (Motion: Donnelly)
From the Norwood Board of Selectmen’s official minutes, posted on the town’s Board of Selectmen minutes page. We check every vote against the Selectmen present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: campaign websites (Robert Donnelly, Amanda Grow); The Norwood Record (Cheryl Doyle; Michael Saad, photo by Jeff Sullivan); Norwood Community Media (Matthew Lane, from “Fast Facts with Matt Lane”).
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