MassVoter.com← StowMunicipal votes · 2020–2021 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 2020 town election was moved to June 27, 2020 because of COVID-19. Megan Birch-McMichael and Ellen Sturgis joined the board, succeeding Brian Burke and filling the seat Donald Hawkes left vacant. On June 29, 2020 the board unanimously chose Thomas Ryan as Chair and Cortni Frecha as Clerk. Many meetings were held with members on Zoom, with roll-call votes. Thomas Ryan’s last meeting was May 22, 2021. Covers 25 meetings, June 29 to May 22, 2021.
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 budgetBoard years
Coming up
- Tue, Oct 13Select Board Agenda →
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”
Special Town Meeting · October 27, 2025 8 votes: 8 passed
- Art. 1 Rescind unissued debt authorizations no longer needed for past projects Passed “it was voted unanimously in favor to approve Article 1”
- Art. 2 Borrow $300,000 for PFAS contamination remediation services Passed “it was voted 311 in favor and 31 opposed · 311 in favor and 31 opposed”
- Art. 3 Transfer $10,000 from procurement wages to assistant town administrator wages Passed “it was voted 219 in favor and 138 opposed · 219 in favor and 138 opposed”
- Art. 4 Appropriate $150,000 in Community Preservation open space funds for Randall Woods Park wetland restoration design Passed “it was voted 341 in favor and 30 opposed · 341 in favor and 30 opposed”
- Art. 5 Add FY2027 Schedule A salary schedules to the Personnel bylaw Passed “it was voted in favor, as called by the Deputy Moderator”
- Art. 6 Amend the Personnel Administration bylaw (Sections 9, 10, 20 and 21) Passed “it was voted in favor, as called by the Moderator to approve Article 6”
- Art. 7 Create a Multifamily Housing Overlay District in the zoning bylaw and map (MBTA Communities) Passed “it was voted in favor 208 in favor and 74 opposed · 208 in favor and 74 opposed”
- Art. 8 Allow a duplex use in the Multifamily Housing Overlay District Passed “it was voted 259 in favor and 72 opposed · 259 in favor and 72 opposed”
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)
- Art. 1 Accept the reports of the Select Board and other officers and committees for 2024 Passed “it was voted in favor to accept the reports of the Select Board”
- Art. 2 Accept the reports of special committees for 2024 Passed “it was as voted in favor to accept the reports of special committees”
- Art. 3 Adopt FY2026 salary and wage schedules in the Personnel bylaw Passed “it was voted 124 in favor and 5 opposed · 124 in favor and 5 opposed”
- Art. 4 FY2026 town operating budget: $37,580,298 (items 1-82) Passed “it was voted in favor to raise and appropriate the sum of $37,580,298”
- Art. 5 Set FY2026 spending limits for two revolving funds (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted pursuant to the provisions of G.L. c.44”
- Art. 6 Appropriate $1,500 for the Stow Cultural Council (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Five Hundred”
- Art. 7 Appropriate $7,000 for the Smart911/RAVE emergency notification system (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 8 Appropriate $4,000 for weights and measures testing (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000)”
- Art. 9 Transfer $3,530 from the Conservation Land Maintenance Account to the Conservation Fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to appropriate and transfer from the Conservation Land Maintenance”
- Art. 10 Transfer $6,854.50 from the Wetlands Protection Fund to the Conservation Commission (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to appropriate and transfer from the Wetlands Protection Fund”
- Art. 11 Appropriate $5,000 for the Conservation Fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000)”
- Art. 12 Appropriate $1,000 to control invasive water chestnut in the Assabet River (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000)”
- Art. 14 Appropriate $95,000 for the DPW road machinery account (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sums of money for Department of Public Works”
- Art. 15 Appropriate $4,000 for DPW engineering fees (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000)”
- Art. 16 Appropriate $6,000 for household hazardous waste collection (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000)”
- Art. 17 Appropriate $750 to dispose of solid waste dumped on town land (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars”
- Art. 18 Transfer $158,329 from the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund for Stow TV (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to appropriate and transfer from the PEG Access and Cable Related”
- Art. 19 Appropriate $8,000 for holiday decorations and lighting (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Dollars ($8,000)”
- Art. 20 Appropriate $30,000 for the audit of financial records (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 21 Appropriate $60,000 for town water system expenses (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixty Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 22 Appropriate $4,000 for the Select Board's small purchases fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000)”
- Art. 23 Appropriate $5,000 to build and maintain water holes for firefighting (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000)”
- Art. 24 Appropriate $9,000 to replace firefighter protective equipment (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000)”
- Art. 25 Appropriate $15,000 for Lake Boon weed control (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 26 Appropriate $15,000 for Planning Board engineering and consulting (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 27 Appropriate $53,000 from Community Preservation revenues for CPA expenses (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to appropriate and transfer from FY2026 Community Preservation”
- Art. 28 Set aside Community Preservation reserves for later use (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to appropriate and reserve the following sums”
- Art. 29 Appropriate $22,000 for online budgeting software (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-Two Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 30 Appropriate $10,000 for traffic safety signs and equipment (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000)”
- Art. 31 Appropriate $50,000 for MS4 stormwater permit requirements (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000)”
- Art. 32 Appropriate $75,000 for legal services (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 33 Transfer $235,000 from free cash to the OPEB (retiree benefits) trust fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to transfer Two Hundred Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($235,000)”
- Art. 34 Transfer $200,000 from free cash to the Stabilization Fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to transfer Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000)”
- Art. 35 Transfer $100,000 from free cash to the Capital Stabilization Fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to transfer One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000)”
- Art. 13 Appropriate $39,900 to update property valuations Passed “it was voted that the Town approve Article 13”
- 36-1 Transfer $68,500 from free cash for Flagg Hill garage repairs Passed “it was voted 104 in favor and 14 opposed · 104 in favor and 14 opposed”
- 36-2 Transfer $200,000 from free cash for engineering of the Sudbury Road bridge repair Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $200,000”
- 36-3 Transfer $70,000 from free cash for a DPW truck lift Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $70,000”
- 36-4 Transfer $50,000 from free cash to resurface Treaty Elm Lane Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Free Cash, the sum of $50,000”
- 36-5 Transfer $25,000 from free cash for a DPW generator transfer switch Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $25,000”
- 36-6 Transfer $125,000 from free cash to replace the police station roof Passed “it was voted 114 in favor and 8 opposed · 114 in favor and 8 opposed”
- 36-7 Transfer $10,000 from free cash to replace exterior doors at the Town Building Passed “it was voted to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $10,000”
- 36-8 Transfer $275,000 from free cash to rebuild the Town Building front walkway Passed “it was voted 140 in favor and 16 opposed · 140 in favor and 16 opposed”
- 36-9 Transfer $97,000 from free cash to refinish the fire station apparatus floor Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $97,000”
- 36-10 Transfer $80,000 from free cash to refurbish Forestry Engine 18 Passed “it was voted unanimously in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $80,000”
- 36-11 Transfer $25,000 from free cash to paint the Hale School water storage tank Passed “it was voted 87 in favor and 60 opposed · 87 in favor and 60 opposed”
- 36-12 Free cash for Center School exterior painting No action “it was voted in favor to take NO ACTION on article 36-12”
- 36-13 Transfer $12,260 from free cash for Hale School auditorium carpeting Passed “it was voted 96 in favor and 14 opposed · 96 in favor and 14 opposed”
- 36-14 Transfer $22,500 from free cash to replace the school security camera server Passed “it was voted 73 in favor and 19 opposed · 73 in favor and 19 opposed”
- 36-15 Transfer $83,000 from free cash for a new police cruiser and equipment Passed “it was voted 131 in favor and 17 opposed · 131 in favor and 17 opposed”
- 36-16 Transfer $600,000 from free cash for the Lake Boon Dam replacement Passed “it was voted 129 in favor and 12 opposed · 129 in favor and 12 opposed”
- 37-1 Borrow $3,400,000 for the Lake Boon Dam replacement Passed “it was voted 137 votes in favor, 20 votes opposed, more than the 2/3rds required · 137 votes in favor, 20 votes opposed”
- Art. 38 Appropriate $930,427 in Community Preservation funds to restore the historic Randall Library building Passed “it was voted 115 in favor and 15 opposed · 115 in favor and 15 opposed”
- Art. 39 Appropriate $28,000 for subscription services formerly paid with COVID funds Passed “it was voted in favor to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-Eight Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 40 Appropriate $1,000 for a Town Events fund (renaming the Springfest account) Passed “it was voted unanimously in favor to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 41 Accept state law (Clause 22I) for yearly cost-of-living increases in veterans' property tax exemptions Passed “it was voted unanimously to accept Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59”
- Art. 42 Acquire easements for the Lake Boon Dam repair and improvement project Passed “it was voted 72 votes in favor, 5 votes opposed, more than the 2/3rds required · 72 votes in favor, 5 votes opposed”
- Art. 43 Amend the general bylaw on posting Town Meeting warrants (replace Section 3) Passed “it was voted unanimously in favor to approve Article 43”
- Art. 44 Amend the general bylaw on government of Town Meeting (replace Section 7) Passed “it was voted unanimously to approve Article 44”
- Art. 45 Add an EV charging station revolving fund to the general bylaw, with a $30,000 FY2026 limit Passed “it was voted 91 in favor and 3 opposed · 91 in favor and 3 opposed”
- Art. 46 Adopt a new general bylaw on single-use plastic bags Passed “it was voted 78 in favor and 7 opposed · 78 in favor and 7 opposed”
Special Town Meeting · December 2, 2024 7 votes: 7 passed
- Art. 1 Borrow $300,000 for PFAS contamination remediation services Passed “it was voted clearly more than the 2/3rds required, as called by the Moderator”
- Art. 2 Approve departmental budget transfers as printed in the warrant Passed “it was voted unanimously, as called by the Moderator, to approve Article 2.”
- Art. 3 Grant a public water supply easement at 323 Great Road for a First Parish Unitarian Church well Passed “it was voted unanimously, as called by the Moderator to approve Article 3”
- Art. 4 Transfer town-owned open space parcels from the Select Board to the Conservation Commission Passed “it was voted unanimously as called by the Moderator to approve Article 4”
- Art. 5 Amend the zoning sign bylaw to name the Director of Public Works for directional sign approvals Passed “it was voted unanimously as called by the Moderator to approve Article 5”
- Art. 6 Amend zoning bylaw sections on accessory apartments Passed “it was voted unanimously, as called by the Moderator, to satisfy both the threshold”
- Art. 7 Acquire easements for the Great Road at Hudson Road pedestrian improvement project Passed “it was voted clearly by the 2/3rds required as called by the Moderator”
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)
- Art. 1 Accept the reports of the Select Board and other officers and committees for 2023 Passed “it was voted in favor to accept the reports of the Select Board”
- Art. 2 Accept the reports of special committees for 2023 Passed “it was voted in favor to accept the reports of special committees”
- Art. 3 Adopt FY2025 salary and wage schedules in the Personnel bylaw Passed “it was voted in favor to amend Article 11 of the General Bylaws”
- Art. 4 FY2025 town operating budget: $34,778,145 (items 1-80) Passed “it was voted in favor to raise and appropriate the sum of $34,778,145”
- Art. 5 Set FY2025 spending limits for two revolving funds (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted pursuant to the provisions of G.L. c.44”
- Art. 6 Appropriate $1,500 for the Stow Cultural Council (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Five Hundred”
- Art. 8 Appropriate $3,500 for weights and measures testing (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Five Hundred”
- Art. 9 Transfer $3,745.50 from the Conservation Land Maintenance Account to the Conservation Fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to appropriate and transfer from the Conservation Land Maintenance”
- Art. 10 Transfer $19,247 from the Wetlands Protection Fund to the Conservation Commission (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to appropriate and transfer from the Wetlands Protection Fund”
- Art. 11 Appropriate $5,000 for the Conservation Fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000)”
- Art. 12 Appropriate $23,200 to update property valuations (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-Three Thousand Two”
- Art. 14 Appropriate $4,000 for highway engineering fees (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000)”
- Art. 15 Appropriate $5,000 for household hazardous waste collection (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000)”
- Art. 16 Appropriate $750 to dispose of solid waste dumped on town land (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars”
- Art. 17 Transfer $147,280 from the PEG Access and Cable Related Fund for Stow TV (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to appropriate and transfer from the PEG Access and Cable Related”
- Art. 18 Appropriate $8,000 for holiday decorations and lighting (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Dollars ($8,000)”
- Art. 19 Appropriate $30,000 for the audit of financial records (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 21 Appropriate $3,000 for the Select Board's small purchases fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000)”
- Art. 22 Appropriate $8,000 to build and maintain water holes for firefighting (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Dollars ($8,000)”
- Art. 23 Appropriate $6,000 to replace firefighter protective equipment (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000)”
- Art. 24 Appropriate $32,000 for Lake Boon weed control (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty-Two Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 25 Appropriate $15,000 for Planning Board engineering and consulting (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 26 Appropriate $50,834 from Community Preservation funds for CPA administration (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to appropriate from FY 2025 Community Preservation Fund Annual”
- Art. 27 Set aside Community Preservation reserves: $101,668 each for history, open space and housing (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to appropriate and reserve the following sums”
- Art. 28 Appropriate $15,000 for veterans' benefits (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 29 Appropriate $20,000 for online budgeting software (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 30 Appropriate $10,000 for traffic safety signs and equipment (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000)”
- Art. 31 Appropriate $50,000 for MS4 stormwater permit requirements (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000)”
- Art. 32 Appropriate $100,000 for legal services (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars”
- Art. 33 Transfer $235,000 from free cash to the OPEB (retiree benefits) trust fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to transfer Two Hundred Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($235,000)”
- Art. 34 Transfer $200,000 from free cash to the Stabilization Fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to transfer Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000)”
- Art. 35 Transfer $100,000 from free cash to the Capital Stabilization Fund (consent calendar) Passed “Town Meeting voted to transfer One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000)”
- Art. 7 Appropriate $6,000 for the Smart911/RAVE emergency notification system Passed “it was voted in favor to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000)”
- Art. 13 Appropriate $115,000 for road machinery ($90,000), private ways ($15,000) and municipal parking lots ($10,000) Passed “it was voted in favor to raise and appropriate the sums of money for Highway Department purposes”
- Art. 20 Appropriate $60,000 for town water system expenses Passed “it was voted in favor to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000)”
- 36-1 Transfer $60,000 from free cash for a replacement building inspections vehicle Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $60,000”
- 36-2 Transfer $30,000 from free cash to finish painting the exterior of 380 Great Road Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $30,000”
- 36-3 Free cash for an escape and rescue window in the fire station bunk room ($25,000 in warrant) No action “it was voted in favor to move NO ACTION on this article.”
- 36-4 Transfer $50,000 from free cash to refurbish Engine 12 Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $50,000”
- 36-5 Transfer $110,000 from free cash to replace the highway mechanic's service truck (S-15) Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $110,000”
- 36-6 Transfer $241,000 from free cash to replace the Volvo loader (L70C) Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $241,000”
- 36-7 Transfer $50,000 from free cash to resurface and crackseal Apple Blossom Lane Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $50,000”
- 36-8 Transfer $55,000 from free cash for Center School booster pump upgrades Passed “it was voted in favor to from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $55,000”
- 36-9 Transfer $32,015 from free cash to replace the Hale Middle School stage wheelchair lift Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $32,015”
- 36-10 Transfer $100,000 from free cash to replace Hale School interior doors (phase 2) Passed “it was voted in favor to from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $100,000”
- 36-11 Transfer $75,000 from free cash for a Center School existing conditions assessment Failed “The vote on the main motion DID NOT PASS.”
- 36-12 Transfer $73,000 from free cash for a Hale Middle School existing conditions assessment Failed “The motion DID NOT PASS.”
- 36-13 Free cash for police body-worn cameras No action “it was voted in favor to take NO ACTION on Article 36-13.”
- 36-14 Transfer $81,000 from free cash for a police cruiser and equipment Passed “it was voted in favor to transfer from Certified Free Cash, the sum of $81,000”
- 37-1 Borrow $990,000 to replace the 2000 fire engine and related equipment Passed “it was voted by more than the 2/3rds required as called by the Moderator to borrow $990,000”
- Art. 38 Appropriate $200,000 in Community Preservation housing funds to the Affordable Housing Trust for Bird Meadow housing Passed “it was voted in favor to approve Article 38”
- Art. 39 Appropriate $4,660 in Community Preservation historic funds to restore the John Randall portrait Passed “it was voted in favor to approve Article 39”
- Art. 40 Transfer $160,045 from free cash to the FY2024 group insurance account Passed “it was voted in favor to approve Article 40”
- Art. 41 Transfer $50,000 from free cash for a Lake Boon Dam project manager Passed “it was voted in favor to approve Article 41”
- Art. 42 Transfer $100,000 from free cash for comprehensive plan technical assistance Passed “it was voted in favor to approve Article 42”
- Art. 43 Appropriate $15,000 for construction administration of Complete Streets sidewalk work on Crescent Street Passed “it was voted in favor to approve Article 43”
- Art. 44 Raise the minimum taxable value of personal property to $10,000 (warrant: $7,500) Passed as amended “The vote on the main motion as amended to $10,000 passed clearly by more than the majority required.”
- Art. 45 Accept state law (Clause 56) allowing property tax relief for National Guard members and reservists on active duty Passed “it was voted in favor to approve Article 45”
- Art. 46 Authorize leases of land on Barton Road for parking and construction for the Lake Boon Dam project Passed “it was voted in favor to approve Article 46”
- Art. 47 Accept Joanne Drive as a town way Passed “it was voted in favor to approve Article 47”
- Art. 48 Amend zoning Section 3.2.2.8 on setbacks for animal buildings (residential special permit uses) Passed “it was voted in favor by more than the 2/3rds required”
- Art. 49 Adopt a zoning bylaw regulating firearms business uses Passed as amended “The vote on the main motion as amended was 89 in favor and 20 opposed. · 89 in favor and 20 opposed”
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
Megan Birch-McMichaelMember · At-large · at 24 of 25 meetingsCortni FrechaClerk · At-large · at 25 of 25 meetingsJames SalvieMember · At-large · at 25 of 25 meetingsEllen SturgisMember · At-large · at 25 of 25 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.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
May 11Support Article 45 to change the name to Select…Motion: Selectwoman Sturgis moved that the Selectmen support Article 45 to change…Passed 4–1 · No: Ryan
May 11, 2021: Support Article 45 to change the name to Select Board
Selectwoman Sturgis moved that the Selectmen support Article 45 to change the name to Select Board. Selectwoman Birch-McMichael seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-1 with Chairman Ryan opposed.
Yes: Birch-McMichael, Frecha, Salvie, SturgisNo: Ryan
From the minutes
“Selectwoman Sturgis moved that the Selectmen support Article 45 to change the name to Select Board. Selectwoman Birch-McMichael seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-1 with Chairman Ryan opposed..” (Motion: Sturgis, second: Birch-McMichael)
May 11Of Selectmen recommend that Town Meeting approve Article 51Motion: Selectman Salvie moved that the Board of Selectmen recommend that Town…Passed 4–1 · No: Sturgis
May 11, 2021: Of Selectmen recommend that Town Meeting approve Article 51
Selectman Salvie moved that the Board of Selectmen recommend that Town Meeting approve Article 51. Selectwoman Birch-McMichael seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-1 with Selectwoman Sturgis opposed.
Yes: Birch-McMichael, Frecha, Ryan, SalvieNo: Sturgis
From the minutes
“Selectman Salvie moved that the Board of Selectmen recommend that Town Meeting approve Article 51. Selectwoman Birch-McMichael seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-1 with Selectwoman Sturgis opposed..” (Motion: Salvie, second: Birch-McMichael)
May 11Recommend that Town Meeting approve Article 52Motion: Selectman Salvie moved that the Board recommend that Town Meeting approve…Passed 4–1 · No: Ryan
May 11, 2021: Recommend that Town Meeting approve Article 52
Selectman Salvie moved that the Board recommend that Town Meeting approve Article 52. Selectwoman Birch- McMichael seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-1 with Chairman Ryan opposed.
Yes: Birch-McMichael, Frecha, Salvie, SturgisNo: Ryan
From the minutes
“Selectman Salvie moved that the Board recommend that Town Meeting approve Article 52. Selectwoman Birch- McMichael seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-1 with Chairman Ryan opposed..” (Motion: Salvie, second: Birch-McMichael)
May 11Approve the meeting minutes of the July 11, 2017…Motion: Selectwoman Sturgis moved to approve the meeting minutes of the July…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Birch-McMichael
May 11, 2021: Approve the meeting minutes of the July 11, 2017 meeting as presented
Selectwoman Sturgis moved to approve the meeting minutes of the July 11, 2017 meeting as presented. Selectman Salvie seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-0-1 with Selectwoman Birch- McMichael abstaining.
Yes: Frecha, Ryan, Salvie, SturgisAbstained: Birch-McMichael
From the minutes
“Selectwoman Sturgis moved to approve the meeting minutes of the July 11, 2017 meeting as presented. Selectman Salvie seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-0-1 with Selectwoman Birch- McMichael abstaining..” (Motion: Sturgis, second: Salvie)
May 11Approve the meeting minutes of the May 10, 2017…Motion: Selectwoman Sturgis moved to approve the meeting minutes of the May…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Birch-McMichael
May 11, 2021: Approve the meeting minutes of the May 10, 2017 meeting as presented
Selectwoman Sturgis moved to approve the meeting minutes of the May 10, 2017 meeting as presented. Selectman Salvie seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-0-1 with Selectwoman Birch- McMichael abstaining.
Yes: Frecha, Ryan, Salvie, SturgisAbstained: Birch-McMichael
From the minutes
“Selectwoman Sturgis moved to approve the meeting minutes of the May 10, 2017 meeting as presented. Selectman Salvie seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-0-1 with Selectwoman Birch- McMichael abstaining..” (Motion: Sturgis, second: Salvie)
May 11Approve the meeting minutes of the February 14, 2017…Motion: Selectwoman Sturgis moved to approve the meeting minutes of the February…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Birch-McMichael
May 11, 2021: Approve the meeting minutes of the February 14, 2017 meeting as presented
Selectwoman Sturgis moved to approve the meeting minutes of the February 14, 2017 meeting as presented. Selectman Salvie seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-0-1 with Selectwoman Birch-McMichael abstaining.
Yes: Frecha, Ryan, Salvie, SturgisAbstained: Birch-McMichael
From the minutes
“Selectwoman Sturgis moved to approve the meeting minutes of the February 14, 2017 meeting as presented. Selectman Salvie seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-0-1 with Selectwoman Birch-McMichael abstaining..” (Motion: Sturgis, second: Salvie)
Apr 27Accept the meeting minutes of April 10, 2018 as…Motion: Selectman Salvie moved to accept the meeting minutes of April 10,…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Birch-McMichael
April 27, 2021: Accept the meeting minutes of April 10, 2018 as written
Selectman Salvie moved to accept the meeting minutes of April 10, 2018 as written. Selectwoman Frecha seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-0-1 with Selectwoman Birch- McMichael abstaining.
Yes: Frecha, Ryan, Salvie, SturgisAbstained: Birch-McMichael
From the minutes
“Selectman Salvie moved to accept the meeting minutes of April 10, 2018 as written. Selectwoman Frecha seconded the motion, and it was approved 4-0-1 with Selectwoman Birch- McMichael abstaining..” (Motion: Salvie, second: Frecha)
Apr 13Accept the meeting minutes of June 18, 2020 as…Motion: Selectman Salvie moved to accept the meeting minutes of June 18,…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Birch-McMichael, Sturgis
April 13, 2021: Accept the meeting minutes of June 18, 2020 as presented
Selectman Salvie moved to accept the meeting minutes of June 18, 2020 as presented. Selectwoman Frecha seconded the motion, and it was approved 3-0-2. Selectwomen Sturgis and Birch- McMichael abstained.
Yes: Frecha, Ryan, SalvieAbstained: Birch-McMichael, Sturgis
From the minutes
“Selectman Salvie moved to accept the meeting minutes of June 18, 2020 as presented. Selectwoman Frecha seconded the motion, and it was approved 3-0-2. Selectwomen Sturgis and Birch- McMichael abstained..” (Motion: Salvie, second: Frecha)
Apr 13Accept the meeting minutes of June 9, 2020 as…Motion: Selectman Salvie moved to accept the meeting minutes of June 9,…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Birch-McMichael, Sturgis
April 13, 2021: Accept the meeting minutes of June 9, 2020 as presented
Selectman Salvie moved to accept the meeting minutes of June 9, 2020 as presented. Selectwoman Frecha seconded the motion, and it was approved 3-0-2. Selectwomen Sturgis and Birch- McMichael abstained.
Yes: Frecha, Ryan, SalvieAbstained: Birch-McMichael, Sturgis
From the minutes
“Selectman Salvie moved to accept the meeting minutes of June 9, 2020 as presented. Selectwoman Frecha seconded the motion, and it was approved 3-0-2. Selectwomen Sturgis and Birch- McMichael abstained..” (Motion: Salvie, second: Frecha)
Mar 23Accept and sign the covenants for Plantation Apartments/Stow Elderly…Motion: Selectwoman Birch-McMichael moved to accept and sign the covenants for Plantation…Passed 3–0 · see note
March 23, 2021: Accept and sign the covenants for Plantation Apartments/Stow Elderly Housing Corporation as presented on March 23, 2021
Selectwoman Birch-McMichael moved to accept and sign the covenants for Plantation Apartments/Stow Elderly Housing Corporation as presented on March 23, 2021. Selectwoman Sturgis seconded, and the motion was approved unanimously (3-0) by a by roll call vote: Selectwoman Birch-McMichael -aye, Selectwoman Sturgis -aye, and Chairwoman Frecha -aye.
Yes: Birch-McMichael, Frecha, SturgisThomas Ryan recused himself from the Plantation Apartments covenant, so Thomas Ryan is not shown voting. James Salvie recused himself from the Plantation Apartments covenant, so James Salvie is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Selectwoman Birch-McMichael moved to accept and sign the covenants for Plantation Apartments/Stow Elderly Housing Corporation as presented on March 23, 2021. Selectwoman Sturgis seconded, and the motion was approved unanimously (3-0) by a by roll call vote: Selectwoman Birch-McMichael -aye, Selectwoman Sturgis -aye, and Chairwoman Frecha -aye..” (Motion: Birch-McMichael, second: Sturgis)
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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