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
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Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2021–2022 Board
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2021–2022 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 39 of 39 Board of Selectmen meetings in 2021–2022 Board.
Missed none.
Every meeting (39)
- Apr 13, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Apr 6, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Mar 30, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Mar 23, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Mar 16, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Mar 9, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Feb 23, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Feb 10, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Feb 2, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jan 26, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jan 19, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Jan 5, 2022 · Regular: Present
- Dec 14, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Dec 8, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Dec 1, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Nov 17, 2021 · Joint: Present
- Nov 10, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Nov 3, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Oct 20, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Oct 6, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Sep 29, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Sep 22, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Sep 14, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Aug 31, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Aug 25, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Aug 18, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Aug 4, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jul 28, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jul 21, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jul 14, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jul 7, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jun 23, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jun 16, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Jun 9, 2021 · Regular: Present
- May 26, 2021 · Regular: Present
- May 12, 2021 · Regular: Present
- May 5, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Apr 28, 2021 · Regular: Present
- Apr 22, 2021 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2021–2022 Board
Feb 23ApproveMotion: to approve Application for Entertainment License filed by Jillian's LTD doing…Passed 2–1 · Lawless: Yes
To approve Application for Entertainment License filed by Jillian's LTD doing business as Jillian's 1876 Wilbur Ave in Somerset
Voted: Yes
Yes: Kathleen Souza, LawlessNo: Smith
From the minutes
“A motion to approve Application for Entertainment License filed by Jillian's LTD doing business as Jillian's 1876 Wilbur Ave in Somerset, was made by Selectman Souza, seconded by Selectman Lawless and approved by a roll call vote of Selectman 2-1.” (Motion: Kathleen Souza, second: Lawless)
Nov 17Review, Vote and Sign Special Town Meeting Warrant (see…Motion: to appoint Scott Barnett to the Cultural Council for the term…Passed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
November 17, 2021 (Joint meeting): Review, Vote and Sign Special Town Meeting Warrant (see attached)
To appoint Scott Barnett to the Cultural Council for the term ending June 30, 2021
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 Scott Barnett to the Cultural Council for the term ending June 30, 2021 was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Souza and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Kathleen Souza)
Nov 17ApproveMotion: to Declare Declaration of Surplus Property - Fire Department: 3" Hose…Passed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
November 17, 2021 (Joint meeting)
To Declare Declaration of Surplus Property - Fire Department: 3" Hose - 20 Shots; 2 ½ ' Fire Hose- 30 shots; 1 ¾' Fire Hose- 10 shots
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 Declare Declaration of Surplus Property - Fire Department: 3" Hose - 20 Shots; 2 ½ ' Fire Hose- 30 shots; 1 ¾' Fire Hose- 10 shots was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Souza and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Kathleen Souza)
Nov 17Review Application filed by Wreaths Across America (Wreath Day…Motion: to approve the application filed by Wreaths Across America (Wreath Day…Passed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
November 17, 2021 (Joint meeting): Review Application filed by Wreaths Across America (Wreath Day Ceremony), for Temporary Use of Town Property Marchand Memorial Park, Somerset, MA
To approve the application filed by Wreaths Across America (Wreath Day Ceremony), for Temporary Use of Town Property Marchand Memorial Park, Somerset, MA - Wreath Day Ceremony - (Saturday, December 18, 2021 - 11:00 a -1:00 pm
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 approve the application filed by Wreaths Across America (Wreath Day Ceremony), for Temporary Use of Town Property Marchand Memorial Park, Somerset, MA - Wreath Day Ceremony - (Saturday, December 18, 2021 - 11:00 a -1:00 pm was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Smith, and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectman 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Smith)
Sep 22AppointMotion: to appoint Michael H. Gallagher as Consultant to the Town of…Passed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To appoint Michael H. Gallagher as Consultant to the Town of Somerset effective September 27, 2921 through November 26, 2021
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 Michael H. Gallagher as Consultant to the Town of Somerset effective September 27, 2921 through November 26, 2021 was made by Selectman Allen Smith, seconded by Selectman Souza and unanimously voted by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0 A motion to appoint Michael H.” (second: Kathleen Souza)
Sep 22AppointMotion: to appoint Michael H. Gallagher as Acting Town Administrator effective November…Passed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To appoint Michael H. Gallagher as Acting Town Administrator effective November 27, 2021
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 Michael H. Gallagher as Acting Town Administrator effective November 27, 2021 was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Souza and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Kathleen Souza)
Sep 22ApproveMotion: to enter into agreement with the Treasurer/Collector Tammy Pacheco, effective October…Passed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To enter into agreement with the Treasurer/Collector Tammy Pacheco, effective October 1, 2021
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 the Treasurer/Collector Tammy Pacheco, effective October 1, 2021 was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Souza and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Kathleen Souza)
Sep 22AppointMotion: to appoint Kyle James Cabral to Patrolman effective September 26, 2021Passed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To appoint Kyle James Cabral to Patrolman effective September 26, 2021
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 Kyle James Cabral to Patrolman effective September 26, 2021 was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Souza and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Kathleen Souza)
Sep 22AppointMotion: to appoint Amber Massa to Patrolman effective September 26, 2021Passed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To appoint Amber Massa to Patrolman effective September 26, 2021
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 Amber Massa to Patrolman effective September 26, 2021 was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Souza and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Kathleen Souza)
Sep 22AppointMotion: to appoint Theresa M. Provencal as Town Accountant with a November…Passed 3–0 · Lawless: Not recorded
To appoint Theresa M. Provencal as Town Accountant with a November 1 start date
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 Theresa M. Provencal as Town Accountant with a November 1 start date was made by Selectman Smith, seconded by Selectman Souza and unanimously approved by a roll call vote of Selectmen 3-0.” (Motion: Smith, second: Kathleen Souza)
Votes with no disagreement (156)
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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