MassVoter.com← Stoughton Select BoardStoughton Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
July 11, 2023
8 recorded votes, 4 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Debra Roberts, Stephen Cavey, Scott Carrara, Louis Gitto
Absent: Joseph Mokrisky
Every vote, in order
Open the meeting
The motion to open the meeting was made by Vice Chair Cavey and seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed.
The minutes record the result only, not a count or how each member voted.
From the minutes
“The motion to open the meeting was made by Vice Chair Cavey and seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Continue the hearing from July 5, 2023
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to continue the hearing from July 5, 2023, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion carried.
The minutes record the result only, not a count or how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to continue the hearing from July 5, 2023, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion carried..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Close the public hearing
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The vote was 4 yes 0 no.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The vote was 4 yes 0 no..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Find Maverick a dangerous dog
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to find Maverick a dangerous dog. Mr. Carrara seconded the motion. Vice Chair Cavey offered the following justification: the attack was unprovoked. Mr. Gitto agreed, noting the severity of the video. On the motion to declare Maverick a dangerous dog, the Board voted 4 yes 0 no.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to find Maverick a dangerous dog. Mr. Carrara seconded the motion. Vice Chair Cavey offered the following justification: the attack was unprovoked. Mr. Gitto agreed, noting the severity of the video. On the motion to declare Maverick a dangerous dog, the Board voted 4 yes 0 no..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Dakota be declared a nuisance dog
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to find Dakota neither nuisance nor dangerous. He believes Dakota can be rehabilitated. Mr. Gitto stated that Dakota did not perpetuate the attack, but was tethered to the same leash. Chair Roberts pointed out that in the kennel, Dakota was aggressive, and she believes Dakota to be dangerous based on the evidence presented. Dakota needs formal training because it is unknown when she will attack. The public must be protected. Mr. Carrara agreed, remarking that the dogs have had no formal training and are crated during the day. Atty. Winner cautioned the Board that to dismiss the case against Dakota meant it could not make recommendations. Based on this response, Vice Chair Cavey withdrew his first motion and replaced it with: "I move that Dakota be declared a nuisance dog". Mr. Carrara seconded the motion. Mr. Gitto said the Board wants to be sure that the dogs are trained; the owner should be required to have them trained rather than label the dog as a nuisance. Atty. Winner countered with there will be a record but no stigma will be attached. On the motion to declare Dakota a nuisance, the Board voted 4 yes 0 no.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion to find Dakota neither nuisance nor dangerous. He believes Dakota can be rehabilitated. Mr. Gitto stated that Dakota did not perpetuate the attack, but was tethered to the same leash. Chair Roberts pointed out that in the kennel, Dakota was aggressive, and she believes Dakota to be dangerous based on the evidence presented. Dakota needs formal training because it is unknown when she will attack. The public must be protected. Mr. Carrara agreed, remarking that the dogs have had no formal training and are crated during the day. Atty. Winner cautioned the Board that to dismiss the case against Dakota meant it could not make recommendations. Based on this response, Vice Chair Cavey withdrew his first motion and replaced it with: "I move that Dakota be declared a nuisance dog". Mr. Carrara seconded the motion. Mr. Gitto said the Board wants to be sure that the dogs are trained; the owner should be required to have them trained rather than label the dog as a nuisance. Atty. Winner countered with there will be a record but no stigma will be attached. On the motion to declare Dakota a nuisance, the Board voted 4 yes 0 no..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Carrara)
Dakota, deemed a nuisance, will be walked separately, humanely restrained and trained
Vice Chair Cavey made the motion that Dakota, deemed a nuisance, will be walked separately, humanely restrained and trained. The owner shall provide documentation that Dakota is seen by a behaviorist for social anxiety. Dakota will be restrained when outside. The owner shall provide the Animal Control Officer with information for identification of the dog, and for tracking the dog. Atty. Moriarity said the Board should specify the duration of the training. Atty. Winner said the Board will instruct him to write the decision as a functional document. Said document will be available to the Board prior to writing the final order. Vice Chair Cavey stated that the dog should respond to voice commands, The Board voted 4 yes 0 no on the motion to designate Dakota a nuisance dog.
From the minutes
“Vice Chair Cavey made the motion that Dakota, deemed a nuisance, will be walked separately, humanely restrained and trained. The owner shall provide documentation that Dakota is seen by a behaviorist for social anxiety. Dakota will be restrained when outside. The owner shall provide the Animal Control Officer with information for identification of the dog, and for tracking the dog. Atty. Moriarity said the Board should specify the duration of the training. Atty. Winner said the Board will instruct him to write the decision as a functional document. Said document will be available to the Board prior to writing the final order. Vice Chair Cavey stated that the dog should respond to voice commands, The Board voted 4 yes 0 no on the motion to designate Dakota a nuisance dog..” (Motion: Cavey)
Maverick be deemed a dangerous dog and be humanely euthanized
Mr. Carrara made the motion that Maverick be deemed a dangerous dog and be humanely euthanized. Vice Chair Cavey said he understood the justification for the motion. If the attack had been on a child, the child may not have survived. He would defer to the will of the Board, but euthanasia seemed too far for him. Mr. Gitto said if the officer had not done what he did, the result would have been far worse. On the motion to euthanize Maverick, the Board voted Chair Roberts- yes, Mr. Carrara -yes, Mr. Gitto -yes, Vice Chair Cavey - no.
Yes: Carrara, Gitto, RobertsNo: Cavey
From the minutes
“Mr. Carrara made the motion that Maverick be deemed a dangerous dog and be humanely euthanized. Vice Chair Cavey said he understood the justification for the motion. If the attack had been on a child, the child may not have survived. He would defer to the will of the Board, but euthanasia seemed too far for him. Mr. Gitto said if the officer had not done what he did, the result would have been far worse. On the motion to euthanize Maverick, the Board voted Chair Roberts- yes, Mr. Carrara -yes, Mr. Gitto -yes, Vice Chair Cavey - no..” (Motion: Carrara)
Maverick would remain at the dog pound pending the final order
Mr. Gitto made the motion that Maverick would remain at the dog pound pending the final order, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed.
The minutes record the result only, not a count or how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Mr. Gitto made the motion that Maverick would remain at the dog pound pending the final order, seconded by Mr. Carrara. The motion passed..” (Motion: Gitto, second: Carrara)
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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