MassVoter.com← Norwood Board of SelectmenNorwood Former Selectman
Helen Abdallah Donohue
Elected townwide · 5 terms in this record
Helen Donohue
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2018–2019 Board
On split votes, Donohue voted the same way as…
- Paul Bishop60% (3 of 5)
- Thomas Maloney50% (3 of 6)
- Allan Howard33% (2 of 6)
- William Plasko17% (1 of 6)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2018–2019 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Donohue 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 39 of 39 Board of Selectmen meetings in 2018–2019 Board.
Missed none.
Every meeting (39)
- Mar 26, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Mar 19, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Mar 12, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 26, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 19, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Feb 5, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 29, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 22, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 15, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jan 8, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Dec 18, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Dec 11, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Dec 4, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Nov 27, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Nov 13, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Nov 6, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 23, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 16, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 9, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Oct 2, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Sep 25, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Sep 18, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Sep 11, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Sep 4, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Aug 21, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Aug 7, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jul 24, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jul 10, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jun 26, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jun 13, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Jun 12, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 29, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 22, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 8, 2018 · Regular: Present
- May 1, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 24, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 17, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 10, 2018 · Regular: Present
- Apr 3, 2018 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2018–2019 Board
Feb 26File final approval of Ganesh Market, Inc., dba Pam’s…Motion: On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Plasko, voted 3-0…Passed 3–0 · Donohue: Abstained
February 26, 2019: File final approval of Ganesh Market, Inc., dba Pam’s Market - Wines and Malt Beverages Package Store License
On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Plasko, voted 3-0 to file final approval of Ganesh Market, Inc., dba Pam’s Market - Wines and Malt Beverages Package Store License.
Voted: Abstained
Yes: Bishop, Maloney, PlaskoAbstained: Donohue
From the minutes
“On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Plasko, voted 3-0 to file final approval of Ganesh Market, Inc., dba Pam’s Market - Wines and Malt Beverages Package Store License. Selectman Donohue abstained..” (Motion: Bishop, second: Plasko)
Dec 18Deny putting the question "do you approve the Town…Motion: On motion of Selectman Plasko, seconded by Selectman Bishop, voted 4-1…Passed 4–1 · Donohue: No
December 18, 2018: Deny putting the question "do you approve the Town of Norwood preserve and protect William Cameron Forbes Mansion, etc." as per the attached, on the April 2019 Ballot
On motion of Selectman Plasko, seconded by Selectman Bishop, voted 4-1 to deny putting the question "do you approve the Town of Norwood preserve and protect William Cameron Forbes Mansion, etc." as per the attached, on the April 2019 Ballot.
Voted: No
Yes: Bishop, Howard, Maloney, PlaskoNo: Donohue
From the minutes
“On motion of Selectman Plasko, seconded by Selectman Bishop, voted 4-1 to deny putting the question "do you approve the Town of Norwood preserve and protect William Cameron Forbes Mansion, etc." as per the attached, on the April 2019 Ballot. Selectman Donohue opposed..” (Motion: Plasko, second: Bishop)
Nov 27Of the transfer – Patel or his family personally,…Motion: On motion of Selectman Howard, seconded by Selectman Bishop, voted 3-1…Passed 3–1 · Donohue: Abstained
November 27, 2018: Of the transfer – Patel or his family personally, but she pays taxes
On motion of Selectman Howard, seconded by Selectman Bishop, voted 3-1 in favor of the transfer.
Voted: Abstained
Yes: Bishop, Howard, MaloneyNo: PlaskoAbstained: Donohue
From the minutes
“On motion of Selectman Howard, seconded by Selectman Bishop, voted 3-1 in favor of the transfer. Selectman Plasko opposed and Selectman Donohue abstained..” (Motion: Howard, second: Bishop)
Oct 16Approve Under MGL – Package Stores - State Primary…Motion: On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-0…Passed 4–0 · Donohue: Not recorded
October 16, 2018: Approve Under MGL – Package Stores - State Primary Election
On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-0 to approve Under MGL.
The minutes give the vote as 4-0, but 5 members were present (Thomas Maloney, William Plasko, Helen Abdallah Donohue, Paul Bishop and Allan Howard). Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-0 to approve Under MGL..” (Motion: Bishop, second: Howard)
Oct 16Oppose Article 3 – Chairman MaloneyMotion: On motion of Selectman Plasko, seconded by Selectman Bishop, voted 4-1…Passed 4–1 · Donohue: No
October 16, 2018: Oppose Article 3 – Chairman Maloney
On motion of Selectman Plasko, seconded by Selectman Bishop, voted 4-1 to oppose Article 3.
Voted: No
Yes: Bishop, Howard, Maloney, PlaskoNo: Donohue
From the minutes
“On motion of Selectman Plasko, seconded by Selectman Bishop, voted 4-1 to oppose Article 3. Selectman Donohue opposed..” (Motion: Plasko, second: Bishop)
Oct 9Sign – Taxi Cab LicensesMotion: On motion of Selectman Plasko, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-0…Passed 4–0 · Donohue: Abstained
October 9, 2018: Sign – Taxi Cab Licenses
On motion of Selectman Plasko, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-0 to sign.
Voted: Abstained
Yes: Bishop, Howard, Maloney, PlaskoAbstained: Donohue
From the minutes
“On motion of Selectman Plasko, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-0 to sign. Selectman Donohue abstained..” (Motion: Plasko, second: Howard)
Oct 9Sign two Mass DOT grant assurances, executed by the…Motion: On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-1…Passed 4–1 · Donohue: Yes
October 9, 2018: Sign two Mass DOT grant assurances, executed by the Airport Commission
On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-1 to sign two Mass DOT grant assurances, executed by the Airport Commission.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Bishop, Donohue, Howard, MaloneyNo: Plasko
From the minutes
“On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-1 to sign two Mass DOT grant assurances, executed by the Airport Commission. Selectman Plasko opposed..” (Motion: Bishop, second: Howard)
Sep 25Approve request for (2) one day Malt licenses for…Motion: On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-1…Passed 4–1 · Donohue: Yes
September 25, 2018: Approve request for (2) one day Malt licenses for fall festival events at Winsmith Mill Market on Saturday, Oct. 27 (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday, October 28 (12…
On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-1 to approve request for (2) one day Malt licenses for fall festival events at Winsmith Mill Market on Saturday, Oct. 27 (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday, October 28 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m.).
Voted: Yes
Yes: Bishop, Donohue, Howard, MaloneyNo: Plasko
From the minutes
“On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Howard, voted 4-1 to approve request for (2) one day Malt licenses for fall festival events at Winsmith Mill Market on Saturday, Oct. 27 (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday, October 28 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m.). Selectman Plasko opposed..” (Motion: Bishop, second: Howard)
Sep 18Approve for distribution to licenseesMotion: On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Plasko, voted 4-0…Passed 4–0 · Donohue: Abstained
September 18, 2018: Approve for distribution to licensees
On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Plasko, voted 4-0 to approve for distribution to licensees.
Voted: Abstained
Yes: Bishop, Howard, Maloney, PlaskoAbstained: Donohue
From the minutes
“On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Plasko, voted 4-0 to approve for distribution to licensees. Selectman Donohue abstained..” (Motion: Bishop, second: Plasko)
Sep 18Schedule a show cause hearingMotion: On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Plasko, voted 4-0…Passed 4–0 · Donohue: Abstained
September 18, 2018: Schedule a show cause hearing
On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Plasko, voted 4-0 to schedule a show cause hearing.
Voted: Abstained
Yes: Bishop, Howard, Maloney, PlaskoAbstained: Donohue
From the minutes
“On motion of Selectman Bishop, seconded by Selectman Plasko, voted 4-0 to schedule a show cause hearing. Selectman Donohue abstained..” (Motion: Bishop, second: Plasko)
Votes with no disagreement (15)
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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