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Municipal votes · 2018–2019 Board

Stow Select Board

How the Stow Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. The same five members served after the May 15, 2018 town election. On May 16, 2018 the board unanimously chose James Salvie as Chair and Ingeborg Hegemann as Clerk. Ingeborg Hegemann’s last meeting of this period was May 6, 2019 (she returned to the board in 2022). Covers 23 meetings, May 16 to May 6, 2019.

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 budget
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

Your Stow ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.

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Board years

Coming up

From the agendas Stow posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.

What Town Meeting decided

In Stow, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.

Annual Town Meeting · May 9, 2026 72 votes: 64 passed, 3 failed, 2 no action, 3 advisory
  • Art. 1 Accept the reports of the Select Board and other officers and committees Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 2 Accept the reports of special committees Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 3 Adopt FY2027 salary and wage schedules Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 4 FY2027 town operating budget Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 5 Set FY2027 revolving fund spending limits (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 6 Fund the Stow Cultural Council (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 7 Fund the Smart911/RAVE emergency notification system (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 8 Fund weights and measures testing (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 9 Transfer to the Conservation Fund (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 10 Transfer from the Wetlands Protection Fund (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 11 Add to the Conservation Fund (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 12 Fund updates of property valuations (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 13 Fund DPW road machinery, private ways and municipal parking lots (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 14 Fund DPW engineering fees (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 15 Fund household hazardous waste collection (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 16 Fund municipal solid waste disposal (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 17 Fund Stow TV expenses (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 18 Fund holiday decorations and lighting (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 19 Fund the audit of financial records (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 20 Fund town water system expenses (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 21 Fund the Select Board's small purchases account (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 22 Fund construction and maintenance of firefighting water holes (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 23 Fund Lake Boon water quality remediation (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 24 Fund Planning Board engineering and consulting (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 25 Fund Community Preservation expenses (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 26 Set aside Community Preservation reserves (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 27 Fund online budgeting software (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 28 Fund traffic safety advisory expenses (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 29 Fund MS4 stormwater permit requirements (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 30 Fund legal services (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 31 Fund subscription services (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 32 Fund the Town Events account (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 33 Fund veterans' benefits (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 34 National Guard and reserve tax relief (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 35 Fund the Economic Development and Industrial Commission (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 36 Transfer to the OPEB (retiree benefits) trust fund (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 37 Transfer to the Stabilization Fund (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 38 Transfer to the Capital Stabilization Fund (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 39 Accept Chapter 90 state road funds (consent calendar) Passed “PASSED”
  • 40-1 Free cash: $22,500 for DPW tire equipment Passed “Passed”
  • 40-2 Free cash: $70,000 to resurface Evelyn Road Passed “Passed”
  • 40-3 Free cash: $15,000 to add a winch to the DPW Morbark chipper Passed “Passed”
  • 40-4 Free cash: $45,000 for DPW radio system upgrades Passed “Passed”
  • 40-5 Free cash: $13,000 for a DPW windstorm blower Passed “Passed”
  • 40-6 Free cash: $30,000 for card readers on interior doors at Pompositticut Failed “Did Not Pass”
  • 40-7 Free cash: $45,000 for new and upgraded security cameras (facilities) Failed “Did Not Pass”
  • 40-8 Free cash: $49,375 to paint the old town hall at 375 Great Road Passed “Passed”
  • 40-9 Free cash: $41,000 for new fire department turnout gear Passed “Passed”
  • 40-10 Free cash: $15,500 for a new Hale Middle School scoreboard No action “Moved No”
  • 40-11 Free cash: $100,000 for a Hale School fire alarm control panel Passed “Passed”
  • 40-12 Free cash: $165,000 to replace the Center School boiler plant Passed “Passed”
  • 40-13 Free cash: $50,000 for a crosswalk at Great Road and Johnston Way Passed “Passed”
  • 40-14 Free cash: $65,000 for a hybrid replacement police cruiser Passed “Passed”
  • 40-15 Free cash: $35,000 for police station second-story design Passed “Passed”
  • 40-16 Free cash: $52,000 for a shared utility task vehicle (UTV) Passed “Passed”
  • 40-17 Free cash: $35,000 for a Pine Bluff well filter system Passed “Passed”
  • 40-18 Free cash: $19,000 for Stow Community Park security cameras Passed “Passed”
  • 41-1 Borrowing: $45,000 for a DPW Ford Maverick pickup truck Failed “Did Not Pass”
  • 41-2 Borrowing: $100,000 to replace the DPW crew chief's pickup truck (S11) Passed “Passed”
  • 41-3 Borrowing: $110,000 to replace the police station generator Passed “Passed”
  • 41-4 Borrowing: $1,100,000 to replace Engine 12 Passed “Passed”
  • 41-5 Borrowing: $143,850 to replace Center and Hale school network switches Passed “Passed”
  • 41-6 Borrowing: $118,000 for a water system upgrade at Center School Passed “Passed”
  • Art. 42 West School roof stabilization and masonry preservation (Community Preservation funds) No action “Moved No Action”
  • Art. 43 Transfer free cash to cover the FY2026 snow and ice deficit Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 44 Fund archiving of permanent town records Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 45 Fund an update of the town's hazard mitigation plan Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 46 Seek special legislation to allow legal notices to be posted online instead of in a newspaper Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 47 Adopt a new general bylaw on stormwater management Passed “PASSED”
  • Art. 48 Citizen petition: ask the Select Board to make Common Road two-way again Advisory “PASSED”
  • Art. 49 Citizen petition: resolution supporting a change to the Massachusetts state flag and seal Advisory “PASSED”
  • Art. 50 Citizen petition: July 4, 2026 Declaration for Democracy and the Rule of Law Advisory “PASSED”

Source: Town of Stow: "May 9, 2026 Annual Town Meeting Results" (4-page results list posted on the 2026 Information and Presentations page).

Special Town Meeting · October 27, 2025 8 votes: 8 passed

Source: Town of Stow 2025 Annual Town Report: Town Clerk's record of the Special Town Meeting, October 27, 2025 (PDF pp. 170-195).

Annual Town Meeting · May 10, 2025 61 votes: 60 passed, 1 no action

Sessions: May 10, 2025 (adjourned to the May 17, 2025 town election)

Source: Town of Stow 2025 Annual Town Report: Town Clerk's record of the Annual Town Meeting, May 10, 2025 (PDF pp. 134-167).

Special Town Meeting · December 2, 2024 7 votes: 7 passed

Source: Town of Stow 2024 Annual Town Report: Town Clerk's record of the Special Town Meeting, December 2, 2024 (PDF pp. 193-200).

Annual Town Meeting · May 11, 2024 62 votes: 56 passed, 2 passed as amended, 2 failed, 2 no action

Sessions: May 11, 2024 (adjourned to the May 18, 2024 town election and dissolved when the polls closed)

Source: Town of Stow 2024 Annual Town Report: Town Clerk's record of the Annual Town Meeting, May 11, 2024 (PDF pp. 137-179).

Not here yet: The full Town Clerk record of the May 9, 2026 Annual Town Meeting is not posted yet (it usually appears in the next Annual Town Report), so 2026 rows use the town's one-page results list; no Town Meeting after May 9, 2026 is posted.

Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).

Members

Brian BurkeMember · At-large · at 21 of 23 meetingsDonald HawkesMember · At-large · at 19 of 23 meetingsIngeborg HegemannClerk · At-large · at 19 of 23 meetingsThomas RyanMember · At-large · at 21 of 23 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: Stow Select Board minutes from January 9, 2018 through August 25, 2026: 215 meetings and 1,946 votes. Minutes from 2014 to 2024 are in the town’s Document Center (Select Board year folders); since January 2025 they are in the Agenda Center. MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. Until May 2021 the board was the Board of Selectmen; the May 22, 2021 Annual Town Meeting changed the name to Select Board (the board had voted 4-1 on May 11, 2021 to support the article), and the minutes use “Select Board” from May 25, 2021. Most minutes are typed documents with searchable text; 26 minutes files from December 2018 to July 2020 are scanned images, which MassVoter read with text recognition and checked against the page images where votes were split. Not here: executive-session minutes; cancelled meetings; votes of other boards at joint meetings (Board of Assessors, Library Trustees, Finance Committee, the Stow members of the Nashoba Regional School Committee); meetings with an agenda but no posted minutes (among them April 28, 2020; the February 16, 2021 special meeting; the February 9, 2022 joint meeting with the Planning Board; the January 3, 2024 open session; and the board’s sessions at the May 14, 2022 and May 11, 2024 Town Meetings, if it met); and meetings after August 25, 2026 (September 8, 2026 and the September 22, 2026 work session have agendas but no posted minutes yet). Stow’s minutes name the mover and seconder. Most votes read “Mr. Hawkes moved … Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously” or “The motion carried unanimously (5-0)”, shown as every member present voting yes. When a member takes part remotely the board votes by roll call, naming each member (“Salvie -aye; Burns -no; Frecha -aye”), shown as each member’s vote. Split votes give a count with the members who voted no or abstained named (“it passed 4-1 with Chair Toole opposed”), shown with the other members present voting yes. Members who recused themselves, left the room or arrived late are not shown in the votes they missed. Votes recorded only as “it was passed” (sometimes naming one abstainer) show the result only (16 votes), and one roll call that does not match its count shows the count only. Where the minutes first summarize a vote (“The Board voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Putnam”) and then record the formal motion, the vote is counted once. A motion with no recorded outcome is not counted as a vote. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.

Monday, May 6, 2019 · Regular meeting2 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, April 23, 2019 · Regular meeting9 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAbsent: Donald HawkesTuesday, April 9, 2019 · Regular meeting13 recorded votes, 2 with disagreementAbsent: Donald HawkesTuesday, March 26, 2019 · Regular meeting10 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, March 12, 2019 · Regular meeting4 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAbsent: Ingeborg Hegemann, Thomas Ryan

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 23Authorize the Chair to draft a letter to the…Motion: Mr. Burke moved to authorize the Chair to draft a letter…Passed 3–0 · see note

April 23, 2019: Authorize the Chair to draft a letter to the Town of Acton and the MBTA regarding parking at the South Acton Train Station and also parking on private property

ApprovePassed · 3–0

Mr. Burke moved to authorize the Chair to draft a letter to the Town of Acton and the MBTA regarding parking at the South Acton Train Station and also parking on private property. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Yes: Burke, Ryan, SalvieIngeborg Hegemann had left the meeting for a few moments and returned after this vote; the other members present are shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“Mr. Burke moved to authorize the Chair to draft a letter to the Town of Acton and the MBTA regarding parking at the South Acton Train Station and also parking on private property. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously..” (Motion: Burke, second: Ryan)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Apr 9Support the Conservation Commission salaries portion of the Town…Motion: Ms. Hegemann made a motion to support the Conservation Commission salaries…Passed · see note

April 9, 2019: Support the Conservation Commission salaries portion of the Town Administrator's FY-2020 budget as presented

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

Ms. Hegemann made a motion to support the Conservation Commission salaries portion of the Town Administrator's FY-2020 budget as presented. Mr. Burke seconded the motion and it was passed.

James Salvie recused himself from this vote, so James Salvie is not shown voting. The minutes record the outcome (“it was passed.”) without a count or the word unanimous, so the result only is shown.

From the minutes

“Ms. Hegemann made a motion to support the Conservation Commission salaries portion of the Town Administrator's FY-2020 budget as presented. Mr. Burke seconded the motion and it was passed..” (Motion: Hegemann, second: Burke)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Apr 9Support the Nashoba Regional School District portion of the…Motion: Mr. Ryan made a motion to support the Nashoba Regional School…Passed · see note

April 9, 2019: Support the Nashoba Regional School District portion of the Town Administrator's FY- 2020 budget as presented

ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes

Mr. Ryan made a motion to support the Nashoba Regional School District portion of the Town Administrator's FY- 2020 budget as presented. Ms. Hegemann seconded the motion and it was passed.

Brian Burke recused himself from this vote, so Brian Burke is not shown voting. The minutes record the outcome (“it was passed.”) without a count or the word unanimous, so the result only is shown.

From the minutes

“Mr. Ryan made a motion to support the Nashoba Regional School District portion of the Town Administrator's FY- 2020 budget as presented. Ms. Hegemann seconded the motion and it was passed..” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hegemann)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Feb 19Recognize Boy Scouts Connor Bernklow and Edmund Burke for…Motion: Mr. Ryan moved to recognize Boy Scouts Connor Bernklow and Edmund…Passed 4–0 · see note

February 19, 2019: Recognize Boy Scouts Connor Bernklow and Edmund Burke for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, and to sign the letters and proclamations for their recognition ceremony on Saturday, March 2,…

ApprovePassed · 4–0

Mr. Ryan moved to recognize Boy Scouts Connor Bernklow and Edmund Burke for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, and to sign the letters and proclamations for their recognition ceremony on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Mr. Hawkes seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Yes: Hawkes, Hegemann, Ryan, SalvieBrian Burke recused himself from this matter (the Eagle Scout letters), so Brian Burke is not shown voting.

From the minutes

“Mr. Ryan moved to recognize Boy Scouts Connor Bernklow and Edmund Burke for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, and to sign the letters and proclamations for their recognition ceremony on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Mr. Hawkes seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously..” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hawkes)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Jan 22Accept the meeting minutes of the December 11, 2018…Motion: Mr. Ryan moved to accept the meeting minutes of the December…Passed · see note

January 22, 2019: Accept the meeting minutes of the December 11, 2018 meeting with amendments

Approve minutesPassed · No count or names in the minutes

Mr. Ryan moved to accept the meeting minutes of the December 11, 2018 meeting with amendments. Mr. Hawkes seconded the motion and it was passed. Mr. Burke abstained.

The minutes say the motion passed and name Brian Burke abstaining but give no count; the result only is shown.

From the minutes

“Mr. Ryan moved to accept the meeting minutes of the December 11, 2018 meeting with amendments. Mr. Hawkes seconded the motion and it was passed. Mr. Burke abstained..” (Motion: Ryan, second: Hawkes)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Oct 9Accept the meeting minutes of the September 11, 2018…Motion: Mr. Hawkes moved to accept the meeting minutes of the September…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Ryan

October 9, 2018: Accept the meeting minutes of the September 11, 2018 meeting as drafted

Approve minutesPassed · 4–0

Mr. Hawkes moved to accept the meeting minutes of the September 11, 2018 meeting as drafted. Mr. Burke seconded the motion and it was passed 4:0. Mr. Ryan abstained.

Yes: Burke, Hawkes, Hegemann, SalvieAbstained: Ryan

From the minutes

“Mr. Hawkes moved to accept the meeting minutes of the September 11, 2018 meeting as drafted. Mr. Burke seconded the motion and it was passed 4:0. Mr. Ryan abstained..” (Motion: Hawkes, second: Burke)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 14Accept a sidewalk easement from Alice Cushing (Walcott Street)…Motion: No abutters were present and there was no opposition expressed. The…Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note

August 14, 2018: Accept a sidewalk easement from Alice Cushing (Walcott Street) and place it on the October 1, 2018 Special Town Meeting warrant

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present

No abutters were present and there was no opposition expressed. The Board voted unanimously to accept the easement and to place this item on the Special Town Meeting Warrant for the October 1, 2018 Special Town Meeting.

The minutes record this vote as “The Board voted unanimously to accept the easement and to place this item on the Special Town Meeting Warrant”; Mr. Hawkes’s written motion to accept the easement follows later in the minutes with no separate outcome.

From the minutes

“No abutters were present and there was no opposition expressed. The Board voted unanimously to accept the easement and to place this item on the Special Town Meeting Warrant for the October 1, 2018 Special Town Meeting..” (Motion: Hawkes)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Aug 14Accept the warrant as presented, except for the order.…Motion: Mr. Burke moved that the Selectmen accept the warrant as presented,…Failed 1–3 · No: Hawkes, Ryan, Salvie

August 14, 2018: Accept the warrant as presented, except for the order. With respect to that Articles 1through 3would stay in place and Article 11 would be moved to where Article 4 is…

Adopt orderFailed · 1–3

Mr. Burke moved that the Selectmen accept the warrant as presented, except for the order. With respect to that Articles 1through 3would stay in place and Article 11 would be moved to where Article 4 is now. All other articles would get bumped down. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and there was discussion The motion failed 1:3. . Mr. Burke, aye.

Yes: BurkeNo: Hawkes, Ryan, SalvieThe minutes record “The motion failed 1:3. . Mr. Burke, aye.”; with four members present, the three others are shown voting no.

From the minutes

“Mr. Burke moved that the Selectmen accept the warrant as presented, except for the order. With respect to that Articles 1through 3would stay in place and Article 11 would be moved to where Article 4 is now. All other articles would get bumped down. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and there was discussion The motion failed 1:3. . Mr. Burke, aye..” (Motion: Burke, second: Ryan)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Jul 10Accept the minutes of June 26, 2018 as amendedMotion: Mr. Hawkes moved to accept the minutes of June 26, 2018…Passed 3–0 · see note

July 10, 2018: Accept the minutes of June 26, 2018 as amended

Approve minutesPassed · 3–0

Mr. Hawkes moved to accept the minutes of June 26, 2018 as amended. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Yes: Burke, Hawkes, RyanIngeborg Hegemann arrived at 7:15 p.m., after this vote.

From the minutes

“Mr. Hawkes moved to accept the minutes of June 26, 2018 as amended. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously..” (Motion: Hawkes, second: Ryan)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Jul 10Allow the inter-account transfer of FY18 excess funds from…Motion: Mr. Hawkes moved to allow the inter-account transfer of FY18 excess…Passed 3–0 · see note

July 10, 2018: Allow the inter-account transfer of FY18 excess funds from the property & casualty insurance and telephone accounts to offset the deficit in the Snow & Ice account

ApprovePassed · 3–0

Mr. Hawkes moved to allow the inter-account transfer of FY18 excess funds from the property & casualty insurance and telephone accounts to offset the deficit in the Snow & Ice account. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Yes: Burke, Hawkes, RyanIngeborg Hegemann arrived at 7:15 p.m., after this vote.

From the minutes

“Mr. Hawkes moved to allow the inter-account transfer of FY18 excess funds from the property & casualty insurance and telephone accounts to offset the deficit in the Snow & Ice account. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously..” (Motion: Hawkes, second: Ryan)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

From the Stow Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Document Center (Agendas/Minutes > Minutes > Select Board, 2014–2024) and Agenda Center (Select Board, 2025 on). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): Stow TV meeting videos — Hector Constantzos (May 2026), JT Toole (July 2026) and Ingeborg Hegemann (August 2026); Stow TV and The Stow Independent Candidates Night — Dan Petersen (May 2025). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.

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