Reading Former Select Board member

Mark Dockser

At-large · 6 terms in this record

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Board years

2024–2025 Board 2023–2024 Board 2022–2023 Board 2021–2022 Board 2020–2021 Board 2019–2020 Board

Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2019–2020 Board

20 of 22meetings attended (91%) · whole board 93%

137votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)

0no votes (0% of votes cast) · whole board 2%

1 of 10split votes where Dockser was in the minority (10%) · whole board 21%

0abstained

6terms in this record

On split votes, Dockser voted the same way as…

Anne Landry90% (9 of 10)
Vanessa Alvarado70% (7 of 10)
Andrew Friedmann60% (6 of 10)
John Halsey13% (1 of 8)

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 Dockser 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 20 of 22 Select Board meetings in 2019–2020 Board.

Missed

May 21, 2019 · Joint: Absent
Apr 16, 2019 · Regular: Absent

Every meeting (22)

Feb 11, 2020 · Regular: Present
Feb 8, 2020 · Special: Present
Feb 4, 2020 · Regular: Present
Jan 21, 2020 · Regular: Present
Jan 7, 2020 · Regular: Present
Dec 11, 2019 · Regular: Present
Dec 10, 2019 · Regular: Present
Dec 4, 2019 · Special: Present
Dec 3, 2019 · Regular: Present
Nov 19, 2019 · Regular: Present
Oct 29, 2019 · Regular: Present
Oct 15, 2019 · Regular: Present
Sep 24, 2019 · Regular: Present
Sep 10, 2019 · Regular: Present
Aug 27, 2019 · Regular: Present
Aug 6, 2019 · Regular: Present
Jul 9, 2019 · Regular: Present
Jun 25, 2019 · Regular: Present
Jun 4, 2019 · Regular: Present
May 21, 2019 · Joint: Absent
May 7, 2019 · Regular: Present
Apr 16, 2019 · Regular: Absent

Votes where members disagreed · 2019–2020 Board

Feb 4Close the warrant for the Local Election and State…Motion: Mr. Dockser moved to close the warrant for the Local Election…Passed 4–0 · Dockser: Yes

February 4, 2020: Close the warrant for the Local Election and State Primary to be held on March V, 2020

ApprovePassed · 4–0

Mr. Dockser moved to close the warrant for the Local Election and State Primary to be held on March V, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4- 0 vote.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Alvarado, Dockser, Friedmann, HalseyAnne Landry (7:51pm) arrived late; the count (4-0) matches the 4 members present from the start, so they are shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“Mr. Dockser moved to close the warrant for the Local Election and State Primary to be held on March V, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4- 0 vote..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Friedmann)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Feb 4Close the warrant for Annual Town Meeting to be…Motion: Mr. Dockser moved to close the warrant for Annual Town Meeting…Passed 4–0 · Dockser: Yes

February 4, 2020: Close the warrant for Annual Town Meeting to be held on April 27th, 2020

ApprovePassed · 4–0

Mr. Dockser moved to close the warrant for Annual Town Meeting to be held on April 27th, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4- 0 vote.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Alvarado, Dockser, Friedmann, HalseyAnne Landry (7:51pm) arrived late; the count (4-0) matches the 4 members present from the start, so they are shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“Mr. Dockser moved to close the warrant for Annual Town Meeting to be held on April 27th, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4- 0 vote..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Friedmann)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Feb 4Appoint Nancy Ziemlak to the Board of Registrars for…Motion: Mr. Dockser moved to appoint Nancy Ziemlak to the Board of…Passed 4–0 · Dockser: Yes

February 4, 2020: Appoint Nancy Ziemlak to the Board of Registrars for a term expiring June 30, 2021

AppointPassed · 4–0

Mr. Dockser moved to appoint Nancy Ziemlak to the Board of Registrars for a term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with 4- 0 vote.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Alvarado, Dockser, Friedmann, HalseyAnne Landry (7:51pm) arrived late; the count (4-0) matches the 4 members present from the start, so they are shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“Mr. Dockser moved to appoint Nancy Ziemlak to the Board of Registrars for a term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with 4- 0 vote..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Friedmann)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Feb 4Approve the meeting minutes of December 3rd, 2019 as…Motion: Mr. Dockser moved to approve the meeting minutes of December 3rd,…Passed 4–0 · Dockser: Yes

February 4, 2020: Approve the meeting minutes of December 3rd, 2019 as amended

Approve minutesPassed · 4–0

Mr. Dockser moved to approve the meeting minutes of December 3rd, 2019 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4- 1 vote with Halsey abstaining.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Alvarado, Dockser, Friedmann, LandryAbstained: HalseyThe minutes write the count as 4-1; the member named abstained, so the second number is the abstention, not a no vote.

From the minutes

“Mr. Dockser moved to approve the meeting minutes of December 3rd, 2019 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4- 1 vote with Halsey abstaining..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Friedmann)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Feb 4Approve the meeting minutes of December loth, 2019 as…Motion: Mr. Dockser moved to approve the meeting minutes of December loth,…Passed 4–0 · Dockser: Yes

February 4, 2020: Approve the meeting minutes of December loth, 2019 as amended

Approve minutesPassed · 4–0

Mr. Dockser moved to approve the meeting minutes of December loth, 2019 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4- 1 vote with Halsey abstaining.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Alvarado, Dockser, Friedmann, LandryAbstained: HalseyThe minutes write the count as 4-1; the member named abstained, so the second number is the abstention, not a no vote.

From the minutes

“Mr. Dockser moved to approve the meeting minutes of December loth, 2019 as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4- 1 vote with Halsey abstaining..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Friedmann)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Jan 7Appoint Frances Barba- Boyle to an associate position on…Motion: Ms. Alvarado moved to appoint Frances Barba- Boyle to an associate…Passed 4–0 · Dockser: Yes

January 7, 2020: Appoint Frances Barba- Boyle to an associate position on the Cultural Council with a term expiring June 30, 2021

AppointPassed · 4–0

Ms. Alvarado moved to appoint Frances Barba- Boyle to an associate position on the Cultural Council with a term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dockser and approved with a 4- 0- 1 vote with Friedmann abstaining.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Alvarado, Dockser, Halsey, LandryAbstained: Friedmann

From the minutes

“Ms. Alvarado moved to appoint Frances Barba- Boyle to an associate position on the Cultural Council with a term expiring June 30, 2021. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dockser and approved with a 4- 0- 1 vote with Friedmann abstaining..” (Motion: Alvarado, second: Dockser)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Jan 7Approve the meeting minutes of December 4, 2019Motion: Mr. Dockser moved that the board approve the meeting minutes of…Passed 4–0 · Dockser: Yes

January 7, 2020: Approve the meeting minutes of December 4, 2019

Approve minutesPassed · 4–0

Mr. Dockser moved that the board approve the meeting minutes of December 4, 2019. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4- 0- 1 vote with Halsey abstaining.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Alvarado, Dockser, Friedmann, LandryAbstained: Halsey

From the minutes

“Mr. Dockser moved that the board approve the meeting minutes of December 4, 2019. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and approved with a 4- 0- 1 vote with Halsey abstaining..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Friedmann)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Dec 3Approve Safety Amendment 2019- 12 as presentedMotion: Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve Safety Amendment 2019-…Failed 2–2 · Dockser: Yes

December 3, 2019: Approve Safety Amendment 2019- 12 as presented

ApproveFailed · 2–2

Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve Safety Amendment 2019- 12 as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and failed with a 2- 2 vote with Alvarado and Friedmann opposing.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Dockser, LandryNo: Alvarado, Friedmann

From the minutes

“Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve Safety Amendment 2019- 12 as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and failed with a 2- 2 vote with Alvarado and Friedmann opposing..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Friedmann)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Dec 3Approve Safety Amendment 2019- 13 as presentedMotion: Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve Safety Amendment 2019-…Failed 2–2 · Dockser: Yes

December 3, 2019: Approve Safety Amendment 2019- 13 as presented

ApproveFailed · 2–2

Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve Safety Amendment 2019- 13 as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and failed with a 2- 2 vote with Alvarado and Friedmann opposing.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Dockser, LandryNo: Alvarado, Friedmann

From the minutes

“Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board approve Safety Amendment 2019- 13 as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Friedmann and failed with a 2- 2 vote with Alvarado and Friedmann opposing..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Friedmann)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Oct 29Adopt a minimum residential factor of 998411 for Fiscal…Motion: Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board adopt a minimum residential…Passed 4–1 · Dockser: Yes

October 29, 2019: Adopt a minimum residential factor of 998411 for Fiscal Year 2020

ApprovePassed · 4–1

Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board adopt a minimum residential factor of 998411 for Fiscal Year 2020. The motion was seconded by Ms. Landry and approved with a 4- 1 vote with Halsey opposing.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Alvarado, Dockser, Friedmann, LandryNo: Halsey

From the minutes

“Mr. Dockser moved that the Select Board adopt a minimum residential factor of 998411 for Fiscal Year 2020. The motion was seconded by Ms. Landry and approved with a 4- 1 vote with Halsey opposing..” (Motion: Dockser, second: Landry)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (129)

From the Reading Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Public Records Archive (Minutes > Select Board). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Reading Patch candidate profiles, courtesy of the candidates (Melissa Murphy, Karen Gately Herrick, Chris Haley), and The Reading Post candidacy announcements (Karen Rose-Gillis, Sal Bramante). The town’s website has no member photos.

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