MassVoter.com← Somerset Board of SelectmenSomerset Former Selectman
Lorne K. Lawless
Elected townwide · 3 terms in this record
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Your Somerset ballot: 15 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2022–2023 Board
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2022–2023 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Lawless 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 35 of 35 Board of Selectmen meetings in 2022–2023 Board.
Missed none.
Every meeting (35)
- Apr 5, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Mar 29, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Mar 28, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Mar 24, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Mar 15, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Mar 8, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Mar 1, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Feb 15, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Feb 13, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Feb 1, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jan 25, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jan 18, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jan 11, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Dec 21, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Dec 14, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Dec 7, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Nov 30, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Nov 22, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Nov 9, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Oct 12, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Sep 21, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Sep 7, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Aug 24, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Aug 16, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Aug 10, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Aug 3, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jul 20, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jul 6, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jun 22, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jun 8, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jun 1, 2022 · Regular: Present
- May 25, 2022 · Regular: Present
- May 4, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Apr 27, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Apr 20, 2022 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2022–2023 Board
Aug 16ApproveMotion: to authorize the Town Administrator to file a request for determination…Passed 2–1 · Lawless: Yes
To authorize the Town Administrator to file a request for determination of applicability with the Conservation Commission and once approved work with the Highway Superintendent to clear the path in conjunction with the Conservation Agent. Once the path is cleared there will be no parking signs and no loitering after dusk signs installed at the end of North Street. At the beginning of the path post
Voted: Yes
Yes: Lawless, SmithNo: Vaught
From the minutes
“A motion to authorize the Town Administrator to file a request for determination of applicability with the Conservation Commission and once approved work with the Highway Superintendent to clear the path in conjunction with the Conservation Agent. Once the path is cleared there will be no parking signs and no loitering after dusk signs installed at the end of North Street. At the beginning of the path posts similar in nature to cut telephone poles to be installed to a depth that they will not be easily disturbed by people walking past them was made by Selectman Chair Smith, seconded by Selectman Lawless and approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 2-1. Selectman Lawless-aye, Selectman Vaught-nay Selectman Smith-aye.” (Motion: Smith, second: Lawless)
Aug 3ApproveMotion: to endorse the projectPassed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To endorse the project
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 1 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to endorse the project was made by Selectman Vaught seconded by Selectman Lawless and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0. Supporting Documents - no.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Lawless)
Aug 3ApproveMotion: to accept the resignation of Carolyn F. LazarisPassed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To accept the resignation of Carolyn F. Lazaris
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 1 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to accept the resignation of Carolyn F. Lazaris was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Lawless and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Lawless)
Aug 3ApproveMotion: to accept the above resignationPassed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To accept the above resignation
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 1 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to accept the above resignation was made by Selectman Lawless, seconded by Selectman Vaught and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Lawless, second: Vaught)
Jun 22Vote Annual Appointments (see attached list)Motion: to approve the list as readPassed 2–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
June 22, 2022: Vote Annual Appointments (see attached list)
To approve the list as read
The minutes record this vote as 2–0 but list 3 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“Selectman Vaught made a motion to approve the list as read, seconded by Selectman Lawless and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 2-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Lawless)
Jun 22ApproveMotion: to approve the Committee Assignments as readyPassed 2–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To approve the Committee Assignments as ready
The minutes record this vote as 2–0 but list 3 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to approve the Committee Assignments as ready was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Lawless and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 2-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Lawless)
May 4ApproveMotion: to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Somerset…Passed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Somerset and the International Association of Firefighters Local 2649
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Somerset and the International Association of Firefighters Local 2649 was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Lawless and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Lawless)
May 4AppointMotion: to appoint the following nine ((9) individuals to the Veterans Advisory…Passed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To appoint the following nine ((9) individuals to the Veterans Advisory Board: Bruce Aldrich; Lisa Ahaesy; George Andes; David Aubry; Edward Faria; Stephen Souza; Charles Diogenes; Glenn N. Doup; Gary Pavao &Thomas Santos
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to appoint the following nine ((9) individuals to the Veterans Advisory Board: Bruce Aldrich; Lisa Ahaesy; George Andes; David Aubry; Edward Faria; Stephen Souza; Charles Diogenes; Glenn N. Doup; Gary Pavao &Thomas Santos was made by Selectman Lawless, seconded by Selectman Vaught and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Lawless, second: Vaught)
May 4ApproveMotion: to acknowledge receipt and review complaint; authorize response by Town CounselPassed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To acknowledge receipt and review complaint; authorize response by Town Counsel
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to acknowledge receipt and review complaint; authorize response by Town Counsel was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Lawless and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0 Supporting Documents: Copy of Open Meeting Law Complaint Discuss complaint regarding trespassing on private property adjacent to Pierce Beach Selectman Smith read an email from the owner of the property.” (Motion: Smith, second: Lawless)
May 4Old Business / Routine Business / Task UpdatesMotion: to enter into agreement with Southeastern Regional Service GroupPassed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
May 4, 2022: Old Business / Routine Business / Task Updates
To enter into agreement with Southeastern Regional Service Group
The minutes record this vote as 3–0 but list 2 members as present, so we can’t say who voted.
From the minutes
“A motion to enter into agreement with Southeastern Regional Service Group was made by Selectman Vaught, seconded by Selectman Lawless and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Vaught, second: Lawless)
Votes with no disagreement (192)
From the Somerset Board of Selectmen’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center. Most votes since 2019 are roll calls with each Selectman named; we check every count against the names and quote the exact wording. The Selectmen also sit as the town’s Board of Health, so Board of Health votes are included. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Member photos: Allen Smith and Todd Costa from Fall River Reporter; Joseph Bednarik from his Somerset Access TV candidate statement (2026).
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