MassVoter.com← TauntonMunicipal votes · 2026–2027 Council
Taunton Municipal Council
How the Taunton Municipal Council voted, from the City Clerk's official minutes. 9 councilors, all elected at-large. Elected November 4, 2025; sworn in January 5, 2026. Council President: Barry Sanders (2026). Covers 38 meetings so far, January 5 to September 15, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Municipal Council do? It is the city’s lawmaking body. It passes local laws (ordinances), votes on the yearly budget, and approves borrowing and zoning changes.
The mayor runs the city day to day and proposes the budget.
Sources: Mass. General Laws c. 44 § 32 (city budgets)Vote Transparency Score
Taunton Municipal Council: 7 out of 10 · Mostly open
How easy Taunton makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the city’s records, not any official. Checked October 3, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for every meeting more than three months old.Full points: 2/2
- Each vote namedMost items pass with “So voted,” with no count or names. Names appear only on roll calls.Part points: 1/3
- Posted quicklyMinutes usually go up within about two to three weeks.Full points: 2/2
- Past years onlineCouncil minutes from 2015 to today are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textThe minutes are scanned images, so you can’t search or copy the text.No points: 0/1
- Member photosThe City Council page shows a photo of each councilor.Full points: 1/1
How the city can raise its score
- Each vote named (+2): On any vote that isn’t unanimous, write how each member voted. For example: “Motion passed 3–2. Yes: Smith, Jones, Lee. No: Brown, Silva.” A roll call on split votes is the simplest way to do this.
- Readable text (+1): Save minutes straight from Word or Google Docs as a PDF instead of printing and scanning them. If a scan is needed, turn on the scanner’s “searchable PDF” or text-recognition setting.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the city made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Council sessions
Coming up
- Tue, Oct 13City Council Agenda, October 13, 2026 →
- Tue, Oct 13City Council Committees →
From the agendas Taunton posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
Councilors
Debra BotellioCouncilor · At-large · at 35 of 38 meetings
Deborah CarrCouncilor · At-large · at 35 of 38 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
David ChavesCouncilor · At-large · at 38 of 38 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Edward CorreiraCouncilor · At-large · at 38 of 38 meetings
Phillip DuarteCouncilor · At-large · at 36 of 38 meetings
Scott MartinCouncilor · At-large · at 36 of 38 meetings
John McCaulCouncilor · At-large · at 32 of 38 meetings
David PottierCouncilor · At-large · at 37 of 38 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the roll call at the start of each meeting in this record. Councilors who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Attendance
38 full-board meetings so far this year, through September 15. Ties share a rank.
1David Chaves38 of 38 meetings Every meeting100%1Edward Correira38 of 38 meetings Every meeting100%3David Pottier37 of 38 meetings97%4Phillip Duarte36 of 38 meetings95%4Scott Martin36 of 38 meetings95%4Barry Sanders36 of 38 meetings95%7Debra Botellio35 of 38 meetings92%7Deborah Carr35 of 38 meetings92%9John McCaul32 of 38 meetings84%53 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Phillip Duarte52 of 53 meetings98%2Barry Sanders51 of 53 meetings96%3Scott Martin50 of 53 meetings94%3David Pottier50 of 53 meetings94%5Estele Borges48 of 53 meetings91%6Jeffrey Postell47 of 53 meetings89%7John McCaul45 of 53 meetings85%8Lawrence Quintal39 of 53 meetings74%9Christopher Coute35 of 53 meetings66%53 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Phillip Duarte51 of 53 meetings96%2Scott Martin50 of 53 meetings94%2Barry Sanders50 of 53 meetings94%4Estele Borges48 of 53 meetings91%4David Pottier48 of 53 meetings91%6Kelly Dooner41 of 47 meetings · served until Nov87%7Lawrence Quintal44 of 53 meetings83%8John McCaul43 of 53 meetings81%8Jeffrey Postell43 of 53 meetings81%10Christopher Coute3 of 5 meetings · served from Dec60%52 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Phillip Duarte52 of 52 meetings Every meeting100%2Kelly Dooner49 of 52 meetings94%3Barry Sanders48 of 52 meetings92%4John McCaul47 of 52 meetings90%4David Pottier47 of 52 meetings90%6Estele Borges46 of 52 meetings88%7Lawrence Quintal45 of 52 meetings87%8Jeffrey Postell44 of 52 meetings85%9Christopher Coute43 of 52 meetings83%55 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1Phillip Duarte55 of 55 meetings Every meeting100%2David Pottier54 of 55 meetings98%3Kelly Dooner52 of 55 meetings95%3Barry Sanders52 of 55 meetings95%5Christopher Coute50 of 55 meetings91%6Estele Borges49 of 55 meetings89%6John McCaul49 of 55 meetings89%6Lawrence Quintal49 of 55 meetings89%9Jeffrey Postell44 of 55 meetings80%52 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1Phillip Duarte52 of 52 meetings Every meeting100%1David Pottier52 of 52 meetings Every meeting100%3Donald Cleary51 of 52 meetings98%3Christopher Coute51 of 52 meetings98%3John McCaul51 of 52 meetings98%6Gerald Croteau50 of 52 meetings96%7Barry Sanders49 of 52 meetings94%8Deborah Carr47 of 52 meetings90%8Jeffrey Postell47 of 52 meetings90%56 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1Christopher Coute56 of 56 meetings Every meeting100%1David Pottier56 of 56 meetings Every meeting100%1Daniel Dermody20 of 20 meetings · served until May Every meeting100%4Gerald Croteau55 of 56 meetings98%4John McCaul55 of 56 meetings98%4Barry Sanders55 of 56 meetings98%7Donald Cleary54 of 56 meetings96%8Deborah Carr53 of 56 meetings95%9Phillip Duarte32 of 35 meetings · served from May91%10Jeffrey Postell51 of 56 meetings91%57 full-board meetings in 2019. Ties share a rank.
1Jeanne Quinn55 of 57 meetings96%2Gerald Croteau54 of 57 meetings95%3Barry Sanders53 of 57 meetings93%4Estele Borges52 of 57 meetings91%4John McCaul52 of 57 meetings91%4David Pottier52 of 57 meetings91%7Deborah Carr51 of 57 meetings89%8Donald Cleary44 of 50 meetings · served until Nov88%9Jeffrey Postell49 of 57 meetings86%10Daniel Dermody4 of 6 meetings · served from Nov67%54 full-board meetings in 2018. Ties share a rank.
1Gerald Croteau54 of 54 meetings Every meeting100%2David Pottier51 of 54 meetings94%2Jeanne Quinn51 of 54 meetings94%2Barry Sanders51 of 54 meetings94%5Estele Borges50 of 54 meetings93%6Deborah Carr49 of 54 meetings91%6John McCaul49 of 54 meetings91%6Jeffrey Postell49 of 54 meetings91%9Donald Cleary47 of 54 meetings87%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Covers January 2018 to today. The minutes are mostly scanned images; we read them with text recognition and checked every roll-call count against the councilors named. Inaugural ceremonies, which take no votes, are left out. Committee meetings are not included yet, except the January 5, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting where the Council President was elected. A few motions were discussed but no vote is recorded in the minutes; those are left out.
Votes where councilors disagreed
Most council votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one councilor voted no or abstained, newest first.
Sep 15Petitions: NoneMotion: to ratify the Committee's recommendationFailed 4–5 · No: Botellio, Carr, Chaves, Correira, McCaul
September 15, 2026: Petitions: None
To ratify the Committee's recommendation
Yes: Duarte, Martin, Pottier, SandersNo: Botellio, Carr, Chaves, Correira, McCaul
From the minutes
“Motion made to ratify the Committee's recommendation. On a roll call vote, nine (9) Councilors were present. Four (4) Councilors, Sanders, Duarte, Pottier and Martin, voted in favor. Five (5) Councilors, Botellio, Correira, Chaves, Carr and McCaul, were opposed. Motion did not pass..”
Sep 15Motion passedMotion: to table the matters regarding Silver Street and Van Buren Street…Passed 7–2 · No: Duarte, Martin
September 15, 2026: Motion passed.
To table the matters regarding Silver Street and Van Buren Street for one week
Yes: Botellio, Carr, Chaves, Correira, McCaul, Pottier, SandersNo: Duarte, Martin
From the minutes
“Councilor Pottier made a motion to table the matters regarding Silver Street and Van Buren Street for one week. Council President Sanders stated that it was at the discretion of the full Council, as the Council had already voted on the previous matter. On a roll call vote, nine (9) Councilors were present. Seven (7) Councilors voted in favor. Two (2) Councilors, Duarte and Martin, were opposed. Motion passed..” (Motion: Pottier)
Sep 8Appointment of Peter Lamb, 651 Norton Avenue, Taunton, to…Motion: to move to approvalFailed 4–4 · No: Botellio, Carr, Correira, McCaul
September 8, 2026: appointment of Peter Lamb, 651 Norton Avenue, Taunton, to the License Commission for a term of six years expiring June, 2032
To move to approval
Yes: Chaves, Duarte, Pottier, SandersNo: Botellio, Carr, Correira, McCaulAbsent: Martin
From the minutes
“Motion made to move to approval. … On a roll call vote to move approval, eight (8) Councilors were present, Councilors Sanders, Duarte, Chaves and Pottier voted in favor. Councilors Botellio, Correira, Carr and McCaul were opposed. Councilor Martin was absent. Motion does not pass..”
Aug 25Resolutions: None New Business: Councilor Carr made a motion…Motion: to refer the incident at Deep Pond Farm and Stables to…Passed 5–3 · No: Duarte, Martin, Sanders
August 25, 2026: Resolutions: None New Business: Councilor Carr made a motion to refer the petition submitted this evening to the Committee on Zoning and invite the Planning and Zoning Boards to participate…
To refer the incident at Deep Pond Farm and Stables to the Committee on Police and License next week in Executive Session, if a legal reason for Executive Session exists; otherwise, in Open Session
Yes: Botellio, Carr, Chaves, Correira, McCaulNo: Duarte, Martin, SandersAbsent: Pottier
From the minutes
“Councilor Correira made a motion to refer the incident at Deep Pond Farm and Stables to the Committee on Police and License next week in Executive Session, if a legal reason for Executive Session exists; otherwise, in Open Session. On a roll call vote, eight (8) Councilors were present. Councilors McCaul, Carr, Chaves, Correira and Botellio voted in favor. Councilors Martin, Duarte and Sanders were opposed. Councilor Pottier was absent..” (Motion: Correira)
Jul 28Resolutions: NoneMotion: that a bid for demolition of the Taunton Nursing Home go…Passed 6–3 · No: Duarte, McCaul, Sanders
July 28, 2026: Resolutions: None
That a bid for demolition of the Taunton Nursing Home go out under the bid process with a minimum of three bids
Yes: Botellio, Carr, Chaves, Correira, Martin, PottierNo: Duarte, McCaul, Sanders
From the minutes
“Councilor Carr motioned that a bid for demolition of the Taunton Nursing Home go out under the bid process with a minimum of three bids. On a roll call vote, nine (9) Councilors present, six (6) Councilors voting in favor, three (3) Councilors voting in opposition (Councilors Sanders, Duarte and McCaul). Motion passes..” (Motion: Carr)
Jun 30Resolutions: NoneMotion: to refer complaints regarding the Taunton Public Library to the Committee…Passed 7–2 · No: Duarte, Martin
June 30, 2026: Resolutions: None
To refer complaints regarding the Taunton Public Library to the Committee of the Whole
Yes: Botellio, Carr, Chaves, Correira, McCaul, Pottier, SandersNo: Duarte, Martin
From the minutes
“Motion made to refer complaints regarding the Taunton Public Library to the Committee of the Whole. On a roll call vote, nine (9) Councilors were present. Seven (7) Councilors voted in favor (Councilors McCaul, Carr, Pottier, Chaves, Correira, Botellio, and Sanders). Two (2) Councilors voted in opposition (Councilors Martin and Duarte). Motion passed..”
Jun 23She respectfully requested that the Council reappoint Mark Pacheco…Motion: to approve the reappointment of Mark Pacheco as Director of Elections…Passed 5–4 · No: Botellio, Carr, Correira, McCaul
June 23, 2026: She respectfully requested that the Council reappoint Mark Pacheco and support the motion for his reappointment.
To approve the reappointment of Mark Pacheco as Director of Elections for a three-year term expiring June 27, 2029
Yes: Chaves, Duarte, Martin, Pottier, SandersNo: Botellio, Carr, Correira, McCaul
From the minutes
“Motion made to approve the reappointment of Mark Pacheco as Director of Elections for a three-year term expiring June 27, 2029. On a roll call vote, nine (9) Councilors were present, (5) Councilors voted in favor (Councilors Sanders, Duarte, Chaves, Pottier and Martin. (4) Councilors were opposed (Councilors Botellio, Correira, Carr and McCaul. Motion passed..”
Jun 9Communication from Mayor O'Connell requesting the reappointment of Mark…Motion: to table to next week's meeting, June 16, 2026Passed 5–4 · No: Carr, Chaves, Correira, McCaul
June 9, 2026: Communication from Mayor O'Connell requesting the reappointment of Mark Pacheco as Director of Elections for a three (3) year term expiring June 27, 2029. A few Councilors made comments. Mayor…
To table to next week's meeting, June 16, 2026
Yes: Botellio, Duarte, Martin, Pottier, SandersNo: Carr, Chaves, Correira, McCaul
From the minutes
“Motion was made to table to next week's meeting, June 16, 2026. On a roll call vote, nine (9) Councilors were present, five (5) Councilors voted in favor (Councilors Martin, Pottier, Duarte, Botellio and Sanders), four (4) Councilors were opposed (Councilors McCaul, Carr, Chaves and Correira). Motion passed..”
Jun 9Petitions: NoneMotion: to approve the vote that was taken in the Committee on…Passed 7–2 · No: Carr, McCaul
June 9, 2026: Petitions: None
To approve the vote that was taken in the Committee on Finance and Salaries Item #2
Yes: Botellio, Chaves, Correira, Duarte, Martin, Pottier, SandersNo: Carr, McCaul
From the minutes
“Motion made to approve the vote that was taken in the Committee on Finance and Salaries Item #2. On a roll call vote, nine (9) Councilors were present, seven (7) Councilors voted in favor (Councilors Sanders, Botellio, Duarte, Correira, Chaves, Pottier and Martin), two (2) Councilors were opposed (Councilors Carr and McCaul). Motion passed..”
May 26Hearing: On the petition for a Special Permit submitted…Motion: to grant the petitionFailed 3–6 · see note
May 26, 2026: Hearing: On the petition for a Special Permit submitted by Attorney Daniel F
To grant the petition
The minutes say 8 councilors were present for this roll call, but list 9 at the start of the meeting. The minutes give the count (3–6), but the names in the minutes don’t match it, so individual votes aren’t shown.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to grant the petition. On a roll call vote, eight (8) Councilors were present, three (3) Councilors voted in favor (Councilors Correira, Duarte and Sanders), six (6) Councilors were opposed (Councilors Martin, McCaul, Carr, Pottier, Chaves and Botellio). Motion did not pass..”
From the official minutes kept by the Taunton City Clerk (agendas and minutes). From the Taunton Municipal Council’s official minutes, posted in the city’s Agenda Center. Most items pass by voice (“So voted”), and the minutes record only the result for those; how each councilor voted is shown for roll calls. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Councilor photos: City of Taunton Municipal Council page (taunton-ma.gov). Former councilors show initials.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →