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Municipal votes · 2021–2023 Board

Oak Bluffs Select Board

How the Oak Bluffs Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Emma Green-Beach joined the board after the April 2021 town election; Gregory Coogan left. Brian Packish chaired the board, then Ryan Ruley from spring 2022. Covers 59 meetings, May 4 to April 4, 2023.

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.

Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budget
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

Your Oak Bluffs ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.

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Board years

Coming up

From the agendas Oak Bluffs posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.

What Town Meeting decided

In Oak Bluffs, 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 · November 4, 2025 14 votes: 13 passed, 1 passed as amended

Source: Town Clerk's Town Meeting report in the 2025 Annual Town Report.

Special Town Meeting · April 8, 2025 9 votes: 9 passed

Source: Town Clerk's Town Meeting report in the 2025 Annual Town Report.

Annual Town Meeting · April 8, 2025 68 votes: 63 passed, 4 passed as amended, 1 other

Source: Town Clerk's Town Meeting report in the 2025 Annual Town Report.

Special Town Meeting · October 29, 2024 8 votes: 8 passed

Source: Town Clerk's Town Meeting report in the 2024 Annual Town Report.

Special Town Meeting · June 25, 2024 2 votes: 2 passed
  • Art. 1 Borrow up to $6,900,000 as cost share to stabilize the East Chop Bluff Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 2 Borrow up to $26,000,000 to design and upgrade the wastewater treatment facility (reconfirmation) Passed “seconded and voted”

Source: Town Clerk's Town Meeting report in the 2024 Annual Town Report.

Special Town Meeting · April 9, 2024 15 votes: 15 passed
  • Art. 1 Appropriate $11,985.90 from the transportation surcharge account for wayfinding signage on North Bluff Sea View Ave Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 2 Transfer $25,000 from Free Cash to offset FY2024 general fund shortfalls Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 3 Transfer $200,000 from Free Cash for FY2024 shortfalls in building maintenance and self-insurance accounts Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 4 Appropriate $400,000 from Free Cash to replenish the Municipal Housing Trust Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 5 Transfer $50,000 from Free Cash for the August fireworks Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 6 Transfer up to $57,000 from Free Cash as cost share for the Hospital Roads Resilience Assessment grant Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 7 Transfer $25,000 from Free Cash to replace two shellfish upwellers Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 8 Transfer $300,000 from Free Cash for unanticipated building repairs and renovations Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 9 Transfer $25,000 from Free Cash to remove abandoned boiler equipment at the library Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 10 Transfer $20,000 from Free Cash to dispose of old equipment and metal debris at the Highway Barn Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 11 Transfer $30,000 from Free Cash to re-establish the Town Hall archive system and buy a shredder Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 12 Transfer $25,000 from Free Cash for trash cans, bike racks and other equipment Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 13 Transfer $15,000 from Free Cash for Senior Center furniture Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 14 Transfer $17,523 from Free Cash to replace iPads and laptops for Fire/EMS Passed “seconded and voted”
  • Art. 15 Borrow up to $1,600,000 for additional wastewater treatment facility components Passed “seconded and voted”

Source: Town Clerk's Town Meeting report in the 2024 Annual Town Report.

Annual Town Meeting · April 9, 2024 67 votes: 59 passed, 2 passed as amended, 4 failed, 2 withdrawn

Source: Town Clerk's Town Meeting report in the 2024 Annual Town Report.

Not here yet: the April 14, 2026 Special and Annual Town Meetings (the 2026 Annual Town Report is not out yet and the Town Clerk posts only the warrants online).

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).

Members

Jason BalboniMember · Elected townwide · at 58 of 59 meetingsGail BarmakianMember · Elected townwide · at 53 of 59 meetingsEmma Green-BeachMember · Elected townwide · at 55 of 59 meetingsRyan RuleyMember · Elected townwide · at 55 of 59 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: Select Board (Board of Selectmen until 2021) minutes from January 12, 2021 through September 22, 2026, from the town’s Agenda Center. Executive session minutes and subcommittee meetings are not included; many minutes are scanned, so we read them with text recognition and checked the votes. Nearly every vote is a roll call naming each member, such as “Roll Call Vote: Cleary - Aye, Leonard - Nay, Alley - Nay… (1 - Aye, 4 - Nay)”. In 2022 some votes give only a count such as “(4 - Aye)”; when the count equals the members present, each is shown voting yes. When a roll call leaves out a member who was at the meeting (for example after they left the room or recused), we show the votes as recorded and say who is not listed. Counts that don’t match the members present show the count only. A few motions with no vote recorded are left out. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.

Tuesday, April 4, 2023 · Regular meeting14 recorded votes, 2 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, March 28, 2023 · Regular meeting12 recorded votes, 10 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, March 14, 2023 · Regular meeting8 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, March 7, 2023 · Regular meeting10 recorded votes, 6 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, February 28, 2023 · Regular meeting17 recorded votes, 14 with disagreementAll 5 members present

Votes where members disagreed

Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.

Apr 4Approve the short-term extension of Cable License and to…Motion: approve the short-term extension of Cable License and to have the…Passed 5–0 · see note

April 4, 2023: Approve the short-term extension of Cable License and to have the Select Board Chair sign

ApprovePassed · 5–0

Approve the short-term extension of Cable License and to have the Select Board Chair sign

The minutes list each member’s vote but the tally in brackets (5 Aye) does not match, so individual votes are not shown.

From the minutes

“Select Person Packish made a motion to approve the short-term extension of Cable License and to have the Select Board Chair sign Roll Call Vote: Green-Beach - Aye, Barmakian - Aye, Ruley - Aye, Packish -Aye, Balboni - Abstain (5 - Aye) 5:14 PM Parks Commissioner Lima departed the meeting Continued discus.” (Motion: Packish, second: Barmakian)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Apr 4Approve to the amended changes to the alcohol policy…Motion: approve to the amended changes to the alcohol policy including in…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note

April 4, 2023: Approve to the amended changes to the alcohol policy including in Section 2 effective Sunday October 1, 2023, Select Board changes the alcohol licenses to may allow entry to 12:30am…

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 3 present

Approve to the amended changes to the alcohol policy including in Section 2 effective Sunday October 1, 2023, Select Board changes the alcohol licenses to may allow entry to 12:30am stop serving alcohol, close by 1:00 am contingent upon monthly check in with the police department and the establishments

The roll call does not list Ryan Ruley, Brian Packish.

From the minutes

“Select Person Green-Beach made a motion to approve to the amended changes to the alcohol policy including in Section 2 effective Sunday October 1, 2023, Select Board changes the alcohol licenses to may allow entry to 12:30am stop serving alcohol, close by 1:00 am contingent upon monthly check in with the police department and the establishments Roll Call Vote: Green-Beach - Aye, Barmakian - Aye, Ruley - Ney, Packish -Ney, Balboni - Aye (3 - Aye, 2 - Ney) Discussion and possible vote regarding the use of ARPA Funds.” (Motion: Green-Beach, second: Barmakian)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Mar 28Ratify the Oak Bluffs Patrol Officers agreementMotion: ratify the Oak Bluffs Patrol Officers agreementPassed 3–0 · see note

March 28, 2023: Ratify the Oak Bluffs Patrol Officers agreement

ApprovePassed · 3–0

Ratify the Oak Bluffs Patrol Officers agreement

Yes: Barmakian, Green-Beach, PackishThe roll call does not list Jason Balboni.

From the minutes

“Select Person Barmakian made a motion to ratify the Oak Bluffs Patrol Officers agreement Roll Call Vote: Green-Beach - Aye, Barmakian - Aye, Ruley - Abstain, Packish - Aye (3 - Aye, 1 - Abstain) Discussion and possible vote to approve Annual 5K Memori.” (Motion: Barmakian, second: Green-Beach)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Mar 28Approve the annual 5km Memorial Road race on Sunday…Motion: approve the annual 5km Memorial Road race on Sunday May 28,…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note

March 28, 2023: Approve the annual 5km Memorial Road race on Sunday May 28, 2023

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present

Approve the annual 5km Memorial Road race on Sunday May 28, 2023

The roll call does not list Jason Balboni.

From the minutes

“Select Person Green-Beach made a motion to approve the annual 5km Memorial Road race on Sunday May 28, 2023 Roll Call Vote: Green-Beach - Aye, Barmakian - Aye, Ruley - Aye, Packish - Aye (4 - Aye) Discussion and possible vote to authorize the Select Board Chair to e.” (Motion: Green-Beach, second: Barmakian)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Mar 28Authorize Chair Ruley to execute the regulatory agreement and…Motion: authorize Chair Ruley to execute the regulatory agreement and declaration of…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note

March 28, 2023: Authorize Chair Ruley to execute the regulatory agreement and declaration of Restrictive Covenants for Habitat for Humanity

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present

Authorize Chair Ruley to execute the regulatory agreement and declaration of Restrictive Covenants for Habitat for Humanity

The roll call does not list Jason Balboni.

From the minutes

“Select Person Barmakian made a motion to authorize Chair Ruley to execute the regulatory agreement and declaration of Restrictive Covenants for Habitat for Humanity Roll Call Vote: Green-Beach - Aye, Barmakian - Aye, Ruley - Aye, Packish - Aye (4-Aye) 4:58 PM Select Person Packish departed the meeting 4:58 PM Select Perso.” (Motion: Barmakian, second: Green-Beach)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Mar 28Approve the beer and wine application for Mugs of…Motion: approve the beer and wine application for Mugs of Delight LLC…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note

March 28, 2023: Approve the beer and wine application for Mugs of Delight LLC dba Aalia's Coffee

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present

Approve the beer and wine application for Mugs of Delight LLC dba Aalia's Coffee

The roll call does not list Brian Packish.

From the minutes

“Select Person Green-Beach made a motion to approve the beer and wine application for Mugs of Delight LLC dba Aalia's Coffee Roll Call Vote: Green-Beach - Aye, Barmakian - Aye, Ruley - Aye, Balboni - Aye (4-Aye) Discussion and possible vote to approve entertainment application for M.” (Motion: Green-Beach, second: Barmakian)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Mar 28Approve the entertainment application for Mugs of Delight, LLC…Motion: approve the entertainment application for Mugs of Delight, LLC dba Aalia's…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note

March 28, 2023: Approve the entertainment application for Mugs of Delight, LLC dba Aalia's Coffee

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present

Approve the entertainment application for Mugs of Delight, LLC dba Aalia's Coffee

The roll call does not list Brian Packish.

From the minutes

“Select Person Green-Beach made a motion to approve the entertainment application for Mugs of Delight, LLC dba Aalia's Coffee Roll Call Vote: Green-Beach - Aye, Barmakian - Aye, Ruley - Aye, Balboni - Aye (4 - Aye) 5:08 PM Select Person Packish rejoined the meeting Update from Back D.” (Motion: Green-Beach, second: Balboni)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Mar 28Approve the 15 Seasonal Alcohol, CV and Entertainment licenses…Motion: approve the 15 Seasonal Alcohol, CV and Entertainment licenses as presentedPassed Unanimous, 3 present · see note

March 28, 2023: Approve the 15 Seasonal Alcohol, CV and Entertainment licenses as presented

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 3 present

Approve the 15 Seasonal Alcohol, CV and Entertainment licenses as presented

The roll call does not list Gail Barmakian, Brian Packish.

From the minutes

“Select Person Balboni made a motion to approve the 15 Seasonal Alcohol, CV and Entertainment licenses as presented Roll Call Vote: Green-Beach - Aye, Ruley - Aye, Balboni - Aye (3 - Aye) 7:35 PM Select Person Packish rejoined the meeting Discussion and Vot.” (Motion: Balboni, second: Green-Beach)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Mar 28Approve the amendment to Deborah Potters employee agreementMotion: approve the amendment to Deborah Potters employee agreementPassed Unanimous, 4 present · see note

March 28, 2023: Approve the amendment to Deborah Potters employee agreement

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present

Approve the amendment to Deborah Potters employee agreement

The roll call does not list Gail Barmakian.

From the minutes

“Select Person Balboni made a motion to approve the amendment to Deborah Potters employee agreement Roll Call Vote: Green-Beach - Aye, Ruley - Aye, Packish - Aye, Balboni - Aye (4 - Aye) Acceptance of Donations - none Appointments - none The listing of mat.” (Motion: Balboni, second: Green-Beach)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Mar 7Approve the Art Stroll Road Closure on Saturday July…Motion: approve the Art Stroll Road Closure on Saturday July 15, August…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note

March 7, 2023: Approve the Art Stroll Road Closure on Saturday July 15, August 12 and September 2, 2023

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present

Approve the Art Stroll Road Closure on Saturday July 15, August 12 and September 2, 2023

The roll call does not list Brian Packish.

From the minutes

“Select Person Barmakian made a motion to approve the Art Stroll Road Closure on Saturday July 15, August 12 and September 2, 2023 Roll Call Vote: Green-Beach - Aye, Barmakian - Aye, Ruley - Aye, Balboni - Aye (4 - Aye) 4:36 PM Select Person Packish rejoined the meeting Introduction of To.” (Motion: Barmakian, second: Green-Beach)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

From the Oak Bluffs Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center. We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Dion Alley, Mark Leonard and Sean DeBettencourt (Ray Ewing) and Tom Hallahan (Jeanna Shepard), Vineyard Gazette; William Cleary and Emma Green-Beach (2024 election day) and Gail Barmakian, The Martha’s Vineyard Times.

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