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Stoughton Select Board
How the Stoughton Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. Robert O’Regan chaired the Board of Selectmen, with Michael Sullivan as Vice Chair, Stephen Cavey, Richard (Rick) Hill and Christine Howe. This board year began after the spring 2017 town election; MassVoter loads minutes from January 2, 2018, so the start date is a placeholder. Covers 18 meetings, January 2 to April 17, 2018.
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 budgetYour Stoughton ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Board years
Coming up
From the agendas Stoughton posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
Members
Stephen CaveyMember · Elected townwide · at 17 of 18 meetingsRichard HillMember · Elected townwide · at 17 of 18 meetingsChristine HoweMember · Elected townwide · at 18 of 18 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: Stoughton Select Board (formerly the Board of Selectmen) minutes from January 2, 2018 through August 28, 2026, from the town’s Agenda Center. Big gap: the town’s website has minutes for only 2 of the board’s 2019 meetings and 13 of its 2020 meetings, plus more than 20 other meetings from 2018 to 2024 that have an agenda but no minutes; MassVoter is asking the town for them. A few files on the website are filed under the wrong date or hold a different meeting’s minutes; we load each file under the meeting it really records and list these for the town. Meetings after August 28, 2026 are not posted yet. Forums and information sessions listed with the board’s agendas have no minutes and are not shown. Nearly every minutes file is a scanned image, which MassVoter read with text recognition and checked by hand. Stoughton’s minutes name who made and seconded each motion and give a count (for example “the motion passed 5 - yes 0 - no”). When the count covers every member present with no one voting no or abstaining, or the minutes say the vote was unanimous, every member present is shown voting yes. When some members voted no or abstained and the minutes do not say who, we show the count only, with a note; we never guess who voted which way from the discussion. Older minutes (2018 to 2021) often list each member’s roll-call vote, and those are shown by name. Where the minutes give no count or names, we show the result only. Votes taken by other boards at joint meetings (for example the School Committee or the Board of Assessors) are left out, and members who recused themselves are left out of that vote. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
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 3Approve the 1-Day Alcohol License for St. James Trivia…Motion: Ms. Howe motioned to approve the 1-Day Alcohol License for St.…Passed 3–0 · see note
April 3, 2018: Approve the 1-Day Alcohol License for St. James Trivia Night on April 6, 2018
Ms. Howe motioned to approve the 1-Day Alcohol License for St. James Trivia Night on April 6, 2018. Mr. Cavey seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0-1.
Robert O'Regan arrived late (7:49 p.m., the minutes say) and the minutes do not show whether Robert was there for this vote, so Robert is not counted. The minutes give only the count (3-0-1), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“Ms. Howe motioned to approve the 1-Day Alcohol License for St. James Trivia Night on April 6, 2018. Mr. Cavey seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0-1..” (Motion: Howe, second: Cavey)
Apr 3Approve the change in manager for Douglas Wine &…Motion: Mr. Hill motioned to approve the change in manager for Douglas…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 3, 2018: Approve the change in manager for Douglas Wine & Spirits
Mr. Hill motioned to approve the change in manager for Douglas Wine & Spirits. Mr. Cavey seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Yes: Cavey, Hill, Howe, SullivanRobert O'Regan arrived late (7:49 p.m., the minutes say) and the minutes do not show whether Robert was there for this vote, so Robert is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Hill motioned to approve the change in manager for Douglas Wine & Spirits. Mr. Cavey seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Hill, second: Cavey)
Apr 3Recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals against approval…Motion: Mr. Cavey motioned to recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals…Passed 3–2 · see note
April 3, 2018: Recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals against approval of the application for a special permit by RecycleWorks because they have not adequately demonstrated benefits of granting the special
Mr. Cavey motioned to recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals against approval of the application for a special permit by RecycleWorks because they have not adequately demonstrated benefits of granting the special permit that they outweigh the harm with respect to the following criteria required for a special permit, number two traffic flow and safety including parking and loading, number four neighborhood character and social structures, and number five impact on the natural environment. Ms. Howe seconded the motion. Mr. Sullivan said he is going to vote against this motion for many reasons outlined by Mr. Crimmins. Mr. Sullivan said that right now, with this applicant, the Town can dictate requirements for this applicant. If they are denied this special permit and someone else comes in they may lose the requirements. Mr. Sullivan said with this applicant they have the opportunity to collect over $100,000.00 in taxes for the past two years. This applicant has proven to be a good neighbor in Weymouth, they pay their taxes. Ms. Howe said she seconded the motion so they Board could discuss. Ms. Howe said the applicant could come back with a beautiful traffic study. Ms. Howe said she would like to change the motion to say the applicant has not adequately completed the traffic study as of yet. Ms. Howe said this Board agrees that the zoning is what needs to change on this. Mr. Hill said he believes that they can all agree that the traffic is a major issue for everyone on this. M
The minutes give only the count (3-2), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“Mr. Cavey motioned to recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals against approval of the application for a special permit by RecycleWorks because they have not adequately demonstrated benefits of granting the special permit that they outweigh the harm with respect to the following criteria required for a special permit, number two traffic flow and safety including parking and loading, number four neighborhood character and social structures, and number five impact on the natural environment. Ms. Howe seconded the motion. Mr. Sullivan said he is going to vote against this motion for many reasons outlined by Mr. Crimmins. Mr. Sullivan said that right now, with this applicant, the Town can dictate requirements for this applicant. If they are denied this special permit and someone else comes in they may lose the requirements. Mr. Sullivan said with this applicant they have the opportunity to collect over $100,000.00 in taxes for the past two years. This applicant has proven to be a good neighbor in Weymouth, they pay their taxes. Ms. Howe said she seconded the motion so they Board could discuss. Ms. Howe said the applicant could come back with a beautiful traffic study. Ms. Howe said she would like to change the motion to say the applicant has not adequately completed the traffic study as of yet. Ms. Howe said this Board agrees that the zoning is what needs to change on this. Mr. Hill said he believes that they can all agree that the traffic is a major issue for everyone on this. Mr. Hill said this would be a great addition to the Town if it was just somewhere else. Mr. Hill believes that it is premature for the Board to make a decision at this time. Mr. O'Regan said this application is showing the Town that the zoning by-law needs to be looked at. Mr. O'Regan said the Mr. Cavey withdrew his original motion. Mr. Cavey changed his motion to motion to recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals against approval of the application for a special permit by RecycleWorks because they have not yet adequately demonstrated to the Board of Selectmen benefits of granting the special permit that they outweigh the harm with respect to traffic flow and safety including parking and loading, neighborhood character and social structures, and impact on the natural environment. Ms. Howe seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-2..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Howe)
Apr 3Direct staff to work with the applicant to find…Motion: Mr. Sullivan motioned direct staff to work with the applicant to…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 3, 2018: Direct staff to work with the applicant to find alternatives in Town if this location does not work out
Mr. Sullivan motioned direct staff to work with the applicant to find alternatives in Town if this location does not work out. Ms. Howe seconded the motion. Mr. Hill said with the caveat that this does not pass with the Zoning Board. Motion passed unanimously.
Yes: Cavey, Hill, Howe, SullivanRobert O'Regan arrived late (7:49 p.m., the minutes say) and the minutes do not show whether Robert was there for this vote, so Robert is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Sullivan motioned direct staff to work with the applicant to find alternatives in Town if this location does not work out. Ms. Howe seconded the motion. Mr. Hill said with the caveat that this does not pass with the Zoning Board. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Sullivan, second: Howe)
Apr 3Recommend passage of article number 52 for the purchase…Motion: Mr. Sullivan motioned to recommend passage of article number 52 for…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 3, 2018: Recommend passage of article number 52 for the purchase and installation of a community message board along with the $25,000.00 match from the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority
Mr. Sullivan motioned to recommend passage of article number 52 for the purchase and installation of a community message board along with the $25,000.00 match from the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Cavey seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Yes: Cavey, Hill, Howe, SullivanRobert O'Regan arrived late (7:49 p.m., the minutes say) and the minutes do not show whether Robert was there for this vote, so Robert is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Sullivan motioned to recommend passage of article number 52 for the purchase and installation of a community message board along with the $25,000.00 match from the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Cavey seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Sullivan, second: Cavey)
Apr 3Not to recommend approval of Article number 55 which…Motion: Mr. Sullivan motioned not to recommend approval of Article number 55…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 3, 2018: Not to recommend approval of Article number 55 which is to appropriate from free cash to reduce the fiscal year 2019 tax levy $500,000.00
Mr. Sullivan motioned not to recommend approval of Article number 55 which is to appropriate from free cash to reduce the fiscal year 2019 tax levy $500,000.00. Mr. Hill seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Yes: Cavey, Hill, Howe, SullivanRobert O'Regan arrived late (7:49 p.m., the minutes say) and the minutes do not show whether Robert was there for this vote, so Robert is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Sullivan motioned not to recommend approval of Article number 55 which is to appropriate from free cash to reduce the fiscal year 2019 tax levy $500,000.00. Mr. Hill seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Sullivan, second: Hill)
Apr 3Recommend the layout of the way and to refer…Motion: Mr. Sullivan motioned to recommend the layout of the way and…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 3, 2018: Recommend the layout of the way and to refer to the Planning Board
Mr. Sullivan motioned to recommend the layout of the way and to refer to the Planning Board. Ms. Howe seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Yes: Cavey, Hill, Howe, SullivanRobert O'Regan arrived late (7:49 p.m., the minutes say) and the minutes do not show whether Robert was there for this vote, so Robert is not counted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Sullivan motioned to recommend the layout of the way and to refer to the Planning Board. Ms. Howe seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Sullivan, second: Howe)
Mar 20Direct the Town Manager to direct the Town Planner,…Motion: Mr. Cavey motioned to direct the Town Manager to direct the…Passed 4–1 · No: Hill
March 20, 2018: Direct the Town Manager to direct the Town Planner, Noreen O'Toole, to report on the need for zoning changes around schools, parks and libraries to be consistent with the recommendation…
Mr. Cavey motioned to direct the Town Manager to direct the Town Planner, Noreen O'Toole, to report on the need for zoning changes around schools, parks and libraries to be consistent with the recommendation of the master plan. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. Motion passes 4-1 with Mr. Hill opposed.
Yes: Cavey, Howe, O'Regan, SullivanNo: Hill
From the minutes
“Mr. Cavey motioned to direct the Town Manager to direct the Town Planner, Noreen O'Toole, to report on the need for zoning changes around schools, parks and libraries to be consistent with the recommendation of the master plan. Mr. Sullivan seconded the motion. Motion passes 4-1 with Mr. Hill opposed..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Sullivan)
Feb 27Approve the Police Department requests for the (3) police…Motion: The Board approved the Police Department requests for the (3) police…Passed · see note
February 27, 2018: Approve the Police Department requests for the (3) police cruisers and the (51) bullet resistant vests
The Board approved the Police Department requests for the (3) police cruisers and the (51) bullet resistant vests. The Board approved the Recreation requests for Replace Recreation Playground at the West School Athletic Complex and Replacement of Novello Baseball Field Backstop. The Board approved the Engineering Department request to utilize a consultant to provide Transportation related engineering analysis, design, and surveying services for the Tosca Drive, Central Street and Canton Street intersection and surrounding areas and Utilize a consultant to provide Transportation related engineering analysis, design, and surveying services for the Tosca Drive, Central Street and Canton Street intersection and surrounding areas.
The minutes record the result only, not a count or how each member voted. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“The Board approved the Police Department requests for the (3) police cruisers and the (51) bullet resistant vests. The Board approved the Recreation requests for Replace Recreation Playground at the West School Athletic Complex and Replacement of Novello Baseball Field Backstop. The Board approved the Engineering Department request to utilize a consultant to provide Transportation related engineering analysis, design, and surveying services for the Tosca Drive, Central Street and Canton Street intersection and surrounding areas and Utilize a consultant to provide Transportation related engineering analysis, design, and surveying services for the Tosca Drive, Central Street and Canton Street intersection and surrounding areas..”
Feb 27Approve the Fire Department requests for a New Ambulance,…Motion: The Board approved the Fire Department requests for a New Ambulance,…Passed · see note
February 27, 2018: Approve the Fire Department requests for a New Ambulance, Gear Washer and Dryer, Emergency Pre-Emption Traffic Signal for Washington and Central Street and Hydraulic Rescue Tools
The Board approved the Fire Department requests for a New Ambulance, Gear Washer and Dryer, Emergency Pre-Emption Traffic Signal for Washington and Central Street and Hydraulic Rescue Tools. The Board approved the Facilities request Municipal Building Repairs Per Facilities Master Plan of 2017 and Town Hall Cupola / Cornice Repairs and Painting. The Board approved the Library request for the Expand New library Parking Lot The Board approved the DPW request for Replace a 1987 Brush Chipper, Sidewalk Tractor with Ribbon Blower and Plow, Water Service Truck, 1 Ton 4X4 Truck with Plow, Pickup Truck with Plow, Rubber Tire Backhoe, 1 Ton 4x4 Truck with Plow and Infiltration and Inflow (I&I).
The minutes record the result only, not a count or how each member voted. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“The Board approved the Fire Department requests for a New Ambulance, Gear Washer and Dryer, Emergency Pre-Emption Traffic Signal for Washington and Central Street and Hydraulic Rescue Tools. The Board approved the Facilities request Municipal Building Repairs Per Facilities Master Plan of 2017 and Town Hall Cupola / Cornice Repairs and Painting. The Board approved the Library request for the Expand New library Parking Lot The Board approved the DPW request for Replace a 1987 Brush Chipper, Sidewalk Tractor with Ribbon Blower and Plow, Water Service Truck, 1 Ton 4X4 Truck with Plow, Pickup Truck with Plow, Rubber Tire Backhoe, 1 Ton 4x4 Truck with Plow and Infiltration and Inflow (I&I)..”
From the Stoughton Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Select Board member photos: video stills from Stoughton Media Access Corporation (SMAC, Stoughton’s local cable TV), each from a program that names the member on screen: Joseph Mokrisky from “Community Forum - Joe Mokrisky - Chairman of Select Board” (2021); Debra Roberts from “Stoughton Politics with...This Guy: Talking with Debra Roberts” (2025); Stephen Cavey from “Stoughton Politics with... This Guy: Interview with Select Board Chair Stephen Cavey” (2025); Scott Carrara from “Community Forum - Scott Carrara - Running for Stoughton Board of Selectmen” (2021); Lori Jacques from “A Lioness & You on the Watch: Interview with Select Board Candidate Lori Jacques” (2026). Former members show initials.
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