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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. After the April 2, 2024 town election the board reorganized on April 10, 2024: Stephen Cavey was chosen as Chair and Scott Carrara as Vice Chair, both unanimously on roll calls. Covers 33 meetings, April 10 to April 1, 2025.
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
ChairStephen CaveyChair · Elected townwide · at 32 of 33 meetings
Vice-ChairScott CarraraVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 30 of 33 meetings
Joseph MokriskyMember · Elected townwide · at 30 of 33 meetings
Debra RobertsMember · Elected townwide · at 33 of 33 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 1Approve the issuance of debt to be issued by…Motion: Chair Cavey made a motion to approve the issuance of debt…Passed 4–0 · see note
April 1, 2025: Approve the issuance of debt to be issued by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust for loan number CWT-25-01 and sign related closing documents
Chair Cavey made a motion to approve the issuance of debt to be issued by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust for loan number CWT-25-01 and sign related closing documents. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion. On the motion, the Board voted 4 - yes 0 - no 1 - recusal.
The minutes give the count (4-0, with 1 recusal) but do not say who recused. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Chair Cavey made a motion to approve the issuance of debt to be issued by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust for loan number CWT-25-01 and sign related closing documents. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion. On the motion, the Board voted 4 - yes 0 - no 1 - recusal..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Roberts)
Apr 1Authorize the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority to present an article…Motion: Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to authorize the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority…Passed 4–1 · see note
April 1, 2025: Authorize the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority to present an article for a by-law regarding the construction of senior housing on Lambert Street
Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to authorize the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority to present an article for a by-law regarding the construction of senior housing on Lambert Street. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion. Chair Cavey offered an amendment that the motion should include with the assistance of the Town Manager, Mr. Tom Calter. The Board voted 4 - yes 1 - no on the amended motion.
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to authorize the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority to present an article for a by-law regarding the construction of senior housing on Lambert Street. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion. Chair Cavey offered an amendment that the motion should include with the assistance of the Town Manager, Mr. Tom Calter. The Board voted 4 - yes 1 - no on the amended motion..” (Motion: Mokrisky, second: Roberts)
Mar 18Direct and instruct the Finance Director and Town Accountant…Motion: Chair Cavey made the motion drafted by Town Counsel in consultation…Passed 4–1 · see note
March 18, 2025: Direct and instruct the Finance Director and Town Accountant to reserve the unappropriated remaining balance in free cash in FY25, approximately $886,000, as most recently certified, such
Chair Cavey made the motion drafted by Town Counsel in consultation with the Finance Director: consistent with the Board's prior determinations that no free cash and/or one-time revenue sources would be used to subsidize the general fund operating budget, "I move that the Select Board direct and instruct the Finance Director and Town Accountant to reserve the unappropriated remaining balance in free cash in FY25, approximately $886,000, as most recently certified, such unallocated Select Board, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 7:00 PM fund to roll to July 1, 2025 free cash calculation, and further, to respectfully request that the Finance Committee be asked to offer its support of this policy." Motion seconded by Mr. Gitto. Vice Chair Carrara asked if this was excess capacity. Town Manager Calter responded yes. Chair Cavey added that this measure will demonstrate financial responsibility. Ms. Roberts asked that the policy be posted for public information. Mr. Gitto asked if the amount could be deposited to the stabilization accounts, objecting to carrying free cash ahead. Chair Cavey interjected that the final decision belongs to the Town Meeting Representatives. On the motion, the Board voted 4 - yes | - no.
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“Chair Cavey made the motion drafted by Town Counsel in consultation with the Finance Director: consistent with the Board's prior determinations that no free cash and/or one-time revenue sources would be used to subsidize the general fund operating budget, "I move that the Select Board direct and instruct the Finance Director and Town Accountant to reserve the unappropriated remaining balance in free cash in FY25, approximately $886,000, as most recently certified, such unallocated Select Board, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 7:00 PM fund to roll to July 1, 2025 free cash calculation, and further, to respectfully request that the Finance Committee be asked to offer its support of this policy." Motion seconded by Mr. Gitto. Vice Chair Carrara asked if this was excess capacity. Town Manager Calter responded yes. Chair Cavey added that this measure will demonstrate financial responsibility. Ms. Roberts asked that the policy be posted for public information. Mr. Gitto asked if the amount could be deposited to the stabilization accounts, objecting to carrying free cash ahead. Chair Cavey interjected that the final decision belongs to the Town Meeting Representatives. On the motion, the Board voted 4 - yes | - no..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Gitto)
Mar 18Issue a warningMotion: Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to issue a warning, seconded by…Passed 4–1 · see note
March 18, 2025: Issue a warning
Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to issue a warning, seconded by Ms. Roberts. The motion passed 4-yes 1 -no.
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to issue a warning, seconded by Ms. Roberts. The motion passed 4-yes 1 -no..” (Motion: Mokrisky, second: Roberts)
Mar 18Approve the petitionMotion: Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to approve the petition, seconded by…Passed 4–1 · see note
March 18, 2025: Approve the petition
Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to approve the petition, seconded by Ms. Roberts. The motion passed 4 - yes 1 - no.
The minutes give only the count (4-1), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mokrisky made the motion to approve the petition, seconded by Ms. Roberts. The motion passed 4 - yes 1 - no..” (Motion: Mokrisky, second: Roberts)
Mar 3Accept the by-law as isMotion: Chair Cavey made a motion to accept the by-law as is,…Passed 4–0 · see note
March 3, 2025: Accept the by-law as is
Chair Cavey made a motion to accept the by-law as is, seconded by Mr. Mokrisky. Chair Cavey clarified Mr. Gitto that the language can only be changed on the Town Meeting floor. The Board voted 4 - yes 0 - no | - abstention.
The minutes give only the count (4-0-1), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“Chair Cavey made a motion to accept the by-law as is, seconded by Mr. Mokrisky. Chair Cavey clarified Mr. Gitto that the language can only be changed on the Town Meeting floor. The Board voted 4 - yes 0 - no | - abstention..” (Motion: Cavey, second: Mokrisky)
Mar 3Approve the prepared motion on borrowing for the new…Motion: Mr. Mokrisky read the prepared motion, seconded by Ms. Roberts. The…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note
March 3, 2025: Approve the prepared motion on borrowing for the new elementary school (April 8, 2025 election ballot), read by Mr. Mokrisky
Mr. Mokrisky read the prepared motion, seconded by Ms. Roberts. The motion passed 5 - yes 0 - no.
The minutes say Mr. Mokrisky read the prepared motion; its text is not in the minutes.
From the minutes
“Mr. Mokrisky read the prepared motion, seconded by Ms. Roberts. The motion passed 5 - yes 0 - no..” (Motion: Mokrisky, second: Roberts)
Feb 18Approve all three nominationsMotion: Ms. Roberts made the motion to approve all three nominations, seconded…Passed 4–0 · see note
February 18, 2025: Approve all three nominations
Ms. Roberts made the motion to approve all three nominations, seconded by Mr. Gitto. Vice Chair Carrara asked the Board to consult with Town Counsel given the fact that a stipend is included with the Board of Assessor's position. The applicant is a Town employee and may need special employee status. Ms. Bruttaniti came forward to confirm that she had consulted with Town Counsel and understood that she is ineligible for the stipend and unable to serve as a Town Meeting representative. Vice Chair Carrara expressed that he would like to see the written opinion of Town Counsel. On the motion, the Board voted 4 - yes 0 - no 1 - abstention.
The minutes give only the count (4-0-1), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“Ms. Roberts made the motion to approve all three nominations, seconded by Mr. Gitto. Vice Chair Carrara asked the Board to consult with Town Counsel given the fact that a stipend is included with the Board of Assessor's position. The applicant is a Town employee and may need special employee status. Ms. Bruttaniti came forward to confirm that she had consulted with Town Counsel and understood that she is ineligible for the stipend and unable to serve as a Town Meeting representative. Vice Chair Carrara expressed that he would like to see the written opinion of Town Counsel. On the motion, the Board voted 4 - yes 0 - no 1 - abstention..” (Motion: Roberts, second: Gitto)
Jan 21Reduce the Town Manager's budget, DEI consultant line, from…Motion: Mr. Gitto made the motion to reduce the Town Manager's budget,…Failed 2–3 · see note
January 21, 2025: Reduce the Town Manager's budget, DEI consultant line, from $30,000 to $10,000
Mr. Gitto made the motion to reduce the Town Manager's budget, DEI consultant line, from $30,000 to $10,000. Vice Chair Carrara seconded the motion. Ms. Roberts asked Mr. Gitto to justify this recommendation. Mr. Gitto responded at the beginning of DEI, there was more need for a consultant to review legal documents. Town Manager Calter countered that funds are also directed to programming and support for the DEI initiative. Ms. Zaleski, Finance Director, noted that funds that have not been spent, but are set Open Session Select Board Tuesday, January 21, 2025 7:00PM aside. Those funds be moved to another consultant line if needed. On roll call vote the Board 2 - yes 3 - no. The motion failed.
The minutes give only the count (2-3), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“Mr. Gitto made the motion to reduce the Town Manager's budget, DEI consultant line, from $30,000 to $10,000. Vice Chair Carrara seconded the motion. Ms. Roberts asked Mr. Gitto to justify this recommendation. Mr. Gitto responded at the beginning of DEI, there was more need for a consultant to review legal documents. Town Manager Calter countered that funds are also directed to programming and support for the DEI initiative. Ms. Zaleski, Finance Director, noted that funds that have not been spent, but are set Open Session Select Board Tuesday, January 21, 2025 7:00PM aside. Those funds be moved to another consultant line if needed. On roll call vote the Board 2 - yes 3 - no. The motion failed..” (Motion: Gitto, second: Carrara)
Jan 21Reduce the Town Accountant's budget, the Assistant Town Accountant…Motion: Mr. Gitto made the motion to reduce the Town Accountant's budget,…Failed 2–3 · see note
January 21, 2025: Reduce the Town Accountant's budget, the Assistant Town Accountant salary, from $110,512.50 to $90,079
Mr. Gitto made the motion to reduce the Town Accountant's budget, the Assistant Town Accountant salary, from $110,512.50 to $90,079. Vice Chair Carrara seconded the motion. Town Manager Calter explained that Town Meeting had set the salary at $105,000. The current request is to increase the salary to $110,512 per the contract agreement. Town Manager Calter referred the footnote in the budget. On a roll call vote, the Board voted 2 - yes 3 - no. The motion failed.
The minutes give only the count (2-3), not who voted no or abstained.
From the minutes
“Mr. Gitto made the motion to reduce the Town Accountant's budget, the Assistant Town Accountant salary, from $110,512.50 to $90,079. Vice Chair Carrara seconded the motion. Town Manager Calter explained that Town Meeting had set the salary at $105,000. The current request is to increase the salary to $110,512 per the contract agreement. Town Manager Calter referred the footnote in the budget. On a roll call vote, the Board voted 2 - yes 3 - no. The motion failed..” (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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