MassVoter.com← TewksburyMunicipal votes · 2024–2025 Board
Tewksbury Select Board
How the Tewksbury Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. Eric Ryder joined the board after the April 6, 2024 town election, succeeding Todd R. Johnson. On April 9, 2024 the board chose Patrick Holland as Chair (each member named Holland over James Mackey), Mark Kratman as Vice-Chair (3-2 over James Mackey) and Eric Ryder as Clerk (5-0-0). Jayne E. Wellman resigned effective January 17, 2025; the board had four members until the April 2025 election. Covers 25 meetings, April 9 to March 25, 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 Tewksbury ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Board years
Coming up
No upcoming meeting is posted yet. Check the official calendar →
Under the state Open Meeting Law, boards post notice at least 48 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays.
What Town Meeting decided
In Tewksbury, 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.
Special Town Meeting · May 6, 2026 6 votes: 5 passed, 1 failed
- Art. 1 Transfer $280,000 between FY2026 departmental budgets Passed “Article 1 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 2 Transfer $55,500 for salary adjustments and update the Personnel Bylaw pay plan Failed “Article 2 as Amended Failed by Secret Ballot · 34 Yes/55 No”
- Art. 3 Transfer $590,390.48 from free cash and $1,004,044.45 from the Stabilization Fund to the FY2026 snow and ice budget Passed “Article 3 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 4 Pay $9,609.52 in prior-year bills from free cash Passed “Article 4 was Adopted Unanimously (9/10 Required)”
- Art. 5 Transfer $196,566 from sewer retained earnings for the Lowell sewer assessment Passed “Article 5 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 6 Use $363,000 from the PFAS Settlement Fund for listed purposes Passed “Article 6 was Adopted Unanimously”
Source: Town Clerk minutes: May 6, 2026 Special Town Meeting (PDF).
Annual Town Meeting · May 4, 2026 27 votes: 23 passed, 3 passed as amended, 1 no action
- Art. 1 Elect town officers (chosen at the Annual Town Election) No action “the Town Meeting does not vote on Article 1”
- Art. 2 Set FY2027 salaries of elected officials Passed “Article 2 was Adopted Unanimously”
- 3-26 Consent calendar: accept the annual reports of town officers Passed “Article 3-26 was Adopted Unanimously”
- 3-27 Consent calendar: allow lease/purchase agreements of up to five years for equipment Passed “Article 3-27 was Adopted Unanimously”
- 3-28 Consent calendar: reauthorize revolving fund spending caps Passed “Article 3-28 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 4 Adopt the FY2027 operating budget, amended to set Shawsheen Tech at $3,750,000 (general fund total $145,494,765) Passed as amended “Article 4 was Adopted as Amended”
- Art. 5 FY2027 Sewer Enterprise budget ($7,411,071) Passed “Article 5 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 6 Transfer $455,425 from the Water Stabilization Fund to the Water Enterprise Fund Passed “Article 6 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 7 FY2027 Water Enterprise budget ($10,923,042) Passed “Article 7 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 8 FY2027 Stormwater Enterprise budget ($780,600) Passed “Article 8 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 9 FY2027 Cable TV Enterprise budget ($606,292) Passed “Article 9 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 10 Transfer $27,044 from bond premiums to reduce exempt debt principal Passed “Article 10 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 11 Approve the FY2027 Affordable Housing Trust allocation plan Passed “Article 11 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 12 Appropriate or reserve Community Preservation Fund annual revenues Passed “Article 12 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 13 Appropriate $30,190 in CPA funds to design about 100 feet of boardwalk Passed “Article 13 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 14 Transfer $2,519,180 from the Stabilization Fund for capital equipment Passed “Article 14 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 15 Transfer $227,800 from the Stabilization Fund for school capital equipment Passed “Article 15 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 16 Transfer $1,280,000 from sewer retained earnings Passed “Article 16 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 17 Transfer $855,000 from water retained earnings Passed “Article 17 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 18 Appropriate $700,000 from the Stormwater Enterprise Fund for drainage improvements Passed “Article 18 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 19 Borrow $5,400,000 in the Water Enterprise Fund for water distribution improvements Passed “Article 19 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 20 Borrow $1,500,000 in the Water Enterprise Fund for water meters and components Passed “Article 20 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 21 Accept G.L. c.59 s.5 Clause 22I (yearly increase in certain property tax exemptions; HERO Act) Passed “Article 21 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 22 Authorize Chapter 90 state road and bridge funds ($1,394,960.27 as amended) Passed as amended “Article 22 was Adopted as Amended Unanimously”
- Art. 23 Citizen petition: general bylaw to prohibit use of indefinite postponement at Town Meeting Passed “Article 23 was Adopted”
- Art. 24 Allocate $405,650 from a stabilization fund for a Shawsheen Tech feasibility study (as amended) Passed as amended “Article 24 was Adopted as Amended · 35 Yes/31 No”
- Art. 25 Citizen petition: accept a sidewalk easement at 2131 Main Street (Paradise Place Condominium Trust) Passed “Article 25 was Adopted Unanimously”
Source: Town Clerk minutes: May 4, 2026 Annual Town Meeting (PDF).
Special Town Meeting · October 7, 2025 15 votes: 12 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 withdrawn, 1 no action
- Art. 1 Raise and appropriate $165,005 for FY2026 departmental budgets Passed “Article 1 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 2 Transfer $2,469,640 from free cash for various purposes Passed “Article 2 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 3 Pay $18,761 in prior-year bills from free cash Passed “Article 3 was Adopted Unanimously (9/10 Required)”
- Art. 4 Transfer $4,552,639 from free cash to the Stabilization Fund Passed “Article 4 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 5 Create a Town Debt Stabilization Fund Passed “Article 5 was Adopted · 53 Yes/1 No”
- Art. 6 Transfer $2,500,000 from free cash to the Town Debt Stabilization Fund Passed “Article 6 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 7 Transfer $1,490,000 from water retained earnings for various purposes Passed “Article 7 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 8 Use $400,000 from the PFAS Settlement Fund for an operational study of the water treatment plant Passed “Article 8 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 9 Appropriate CPA open space funds to rehabilitate the high school varsity infield ($25,000 as amended) Passed as amended “Article 9 was Adopted as Amended Unanimously”
- Art. 10 Authorize the Select Board to lease the North Street Elementary School for up to 30 years Passed “Article 10 was Adopted”
- Art. 11 Home rule petition to allow a lease of the North Street Elementary School for up to 99 years Passed “Article 11 was Adopted”
- Art. 12 Authorize a ground lease of about 5,625 sq. ft. at 199 Shawsheen Street Withdrawn “Article 12 was Withdrawn Unanimously”
- Art. 13 Amend Town Code Chapter 19, stormwater management and erosion control Passed “Article 13 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 14 Petition: accept a sidewalk easement at 2131 Main Street (Paradise Place Condominium Trust) No action “No Action Was Taken on Article 14”
- Art. 15 Accept a new easement and abandon the current easement at 19 Bemis Circle Passed “Article 15 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
Source: Town Clerk minutes: October 7, 2025 Special Town Meeting (PDF).
Special Town Meeting · May 7, 2025 3 votes: 3 passed
- Art. 1 Transfer funds between FY2025 departmental budgets Passed “Article 1 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 2 Transfer $586,046.35 from free cash to the FY2025 DPW snow and ice budget Passed “Article 2 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 3 Pay $13,953.65 in prior-year bills from free cash Passed “Article 3 was Adopted Unanimously (9/10 Required)”
Source: Town Clerk minutes: May 7, 2025 Special Town Meeting (PDF).
Annual Town Meeting · May 5, 2025 32 votes: 26 passed, 3 passed as amended, 3 no action
Sessions: May 5 and May 7, 2025
- Art. 1 Elect town officers (chosen at the Annual Town Election) No action “the Town Meeting does not vote on Article 1”
- Art. 2 Set FY2026 salaries of elected officials Passed “Article 2 was Adopted Unanimously”
- 3-22 Consent calendar: accept the annual reports of town officers Passed “Article 3-22 was Adopted Unanimously”
- 3-23 Consent calendar: allow lease/purchase agreements of up to five years for equipment Passed “Article 3-23 was Adopted Unanimously”
- 3-24 Consent calendar: authorize Chapter 90 state road and bridge funds Passed “Article 3-24 was Adopted Unanimously”
- 3-25 Consent calendar: reauthorize revolving fund spending caps Passed “Article 3-25 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 4 Adopt the FY2026 operating budget Passed “Article 4 was Adopted”
- Art. 5 FY2026 Sewer Enterprise budget ($7,205,030) Passed “Article 5 was Adopted”
- Art. 6 Transfer $400,000 from overlay surplus to the Water Stabilization Fund Passed “Article 6 was Adopted”
- Art. 7 FY2026 Water Enterprise budget ($9,712,020) Passed “Article 7 was Adopted”
- Art. 8 FY2026 Stormwater Enterprise budget ($779,800) Passed “Article 8 was Adopted”
- Art. 9 FY2026 Cable TV Enterprise budget ($484,120) Passed “Article 9 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 10 Transfer $31,750 from bond premiums to reduce exempt debt principal Passed “Article 10 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 11 Approve the FY2026 Affordable Housing Trust allocation plan Passed “Article 11 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 12 Appropriate or reserve Community Preservation Fund annual revenues Passed “Article 12 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 13 Transfer $1,985,066 from the Stabilization Fund for town capital equipment and projects Passed “Article 13 was Adopted · 78 Yes/18 No”
- Art. 14 Transfer $123,178 from the Stabilization Fund for school capital equipment and projects Passed “Article 14 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 15 Transfer $300,000 from overlay surplus for a school facilities study Passed “Article 15 was Adopted”
- Art. 16 Transfer from sewer retained earnings for sewer improvements and a vehicle ($785,000 as amended) Passed as amended “Article 16 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 17 Transfer from water retained earnings for water improvements, projects and vehicles ($835,000 as amended) Passed as amended “Article 17 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 18 Appropriate $400,000 in the Stormwater Enterprise Fund for drainage improvements Passed “Article 18 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 19 Borrow $5,400,000 in the Water Enterprise Fund for water distribution improvements Passed “Article 19 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 20 Borrow $1,500,000 in the Water Enterprise Fund for water meters and components Passed “Article 20 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 21 Amend the dog bylaw (General Bylaw Chapter 6.04) Passed “Article 21 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 26 Add an MBTA Communities Multifamily Overlay District to the Zoning Bylaw No action “fail to meet the statutory minimum requirement to be eligible for a Town Meeting Vote”
- Art. 27 Add the MBTA Communities Multifamily Overlay District to the Zoning Map No action “fail to meet the statutory minimum requirement to be eligible for a Town Meeting Vote”
- Art. 28 Amend the Zoning Bylaw floodplain rules to meet FEMA flood insurance program requirements Passed “Article 28 was Adopted · 123 Yes/1 No”
- Art. 29 Amend the Floodplain District as provided by FEMA Passed “Article 29 was Adopted · 120 Yes/2 No”
- Art. 30 Amend the Zoning Bylaw to add banquet, event or conference facility definitions and rules Passed “Article 30 was Adopted · 111 Yes/18 No”
- Art. 31 Amend the Zoning Bylaw to allow electronic drive-through menu board signs within set limits Passed “Article 31 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 32 Amend the Zoning Bylaw to require fencing or elevation for swimming pools Passed “Article 32 was Adopted · 100 Yes/4 No”
- Art. 33 Amend the Zoning Map: move outlined parcels from the Town Center District to Residence 40, with exceptions (as amended) Passed as amended “Article 33 was Adopted Adopted as Amended · 109 Yes/4 No”
Source: Town Clerk minutes: May 5, 2025 Annual Town Meeting (PDF).
Special Town Meeting · October 1, 2024 16 votes: 10 passed, 3 passed as amended, 1 indefinitely postponed, 2 withdrawn
- Art. 1 Raise and appropriate $733,084 for FY2025 departmental budgets Passed “Article 1 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 2 Transfer $536,362 from free cash for various purposes Passed “Article 2 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 3 Pay prior-year bills ($25,203.69 as amended) Passed as amended “Article 3 was Adopted as Amended Unanimously (9/10 vote Required)”
- Art. 4 Fund the police patrolmen (NEPBA) collective bargaining agreement ($166,237) Passed “Article 4 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 5 Fund the firefighters (IAFF) collective bargaining agreement ($221,014) Passed “Article 5 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 6 Transfer $160,000 from sewer retained earnings for various purposes Passed “Article 6 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 7 Transfer $160,000 from water retained earnings for various purposes Passed “Article 7 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 8 Add to the Stabilization Fund: raise $797,035 and transfer $5,996,154 from free cash (as amended) Passed as amended “Article 8 was Adopted as Amended Unanimously”
- Art. 9 Appropriate $3,800,000 in CPA funds and borrowing to rehabilitate the historic Ella Flemings School Passed “Article 9 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 vote Required)”
- Art. 10 Rescind unused borrowing authority from past Town Meetings Passed “Article 10 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 11 Accept a sidewalk easement from Andover North Estates, LLC Passed “Article 11 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 12 Home rule petition to let charter appointees live within 50 miles of town (amended from 10 miles) Passed as amended “Article 12 was Adopted as Amended”
- Art. 13 Add a Municipal Equity Bylaw (General Bylaws Chapter 5.12) Withdrawn “Article 13 was Withdrawn”
- Art. 14 Amend the Zoning Map dated October 2023 Passed “Article 14 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 15 Amend Zoning Bylaw Section 5.3.3 front setbacks for non-major projects Withdrawn “Article 15 was Withdrawn Unanimously”
- Art. 16 Petition: amend the Zoning Bylaw use table to allow diverse housing by special permit in the Town Center District Indefinitely postponed “The motion for Indefinite Postponement was Adopted”
Source: Town Clerk minutes: October 1, 2024 Special Town Meeting (PDF).
Special Town Meeting · May 8, 2024 5 votes: 4 passed, 1 passed as amended
- Art. 1 Transfer $783,387 between FY2024 departmental budgets Passed “Article 1 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 2 Transfer $137,017.79 from free cash for one-time capital expenses Passed “Article 2 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 3 Transfer $447,551 from free cash to the FY2024 DPW snow and ice budget (as amended) Passed as amended “Article 3 was Adopted as Amended Unanimously”
- Art. 4 Pay $15,431.21 in prior-year bills from free cash Passed “Article 4 was Adopted Unanimously (9/10 Required)”
- Art. 5 Close the Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund Passed “Article 5 was Adopted Unanimously”
Source: Town Clerk minutes: May 8, 2024 Special Town Meeting (PDF).
Annual Town Meeting · May 6, 2024 41 votes: 32 passed, 3 passed as amended, 2 failed, 3 withdrawn, 1 no action
Sessions: May 6 and May 8, 2024
- Art. 1 Elect town officers (chosen at the April 6, 2024 Annual Town Election) No action “the Town Meeting does not vote on Article 1”
- Art. 2 Set FY2025 salaries of elected officials Passed “Article 2 was Adopted Unanimously”
- 3-37 Consent calendar: accept the annual reports of town officers Passed “Article 3-37 was Adopted Unanimously”
- 3-38 Consent calendar: allow lease/purchase agreements of up to five years for equipment Passed “Article 3-38 was Adopted Unanimously”
- 3-39 Authorize Chapter 90 state road and bridge funds (held from consent calendar) Passed “Article 3-39 was Adopted Unanimously”
- 3-40 Consent calendar: reauthorize revolving fund spending caps Passed “Article 3-40 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 4 Adopt the FY2025 operating budget Passed “Article 4 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 5 Fund the police patrolmen (NEPBA) collective bargaining agreement Withdrawn “Article 5 was Withdrawn Unanimously”
- Art. 6 Fund the police superior officers collective bargaining agreement ($86,862 as amended) Passed as amended “Article 6 was Adopted as Amended Unanimously”
- Art. 7 Fund the firefighters (IAFF Local 1647) collective bargaining agreement Withdrawn “Article 7 was Withdrawn Unanimously”
- Art. 8 Fund the AFSCME Local 833 collective bargaining agreement ($129,283 as amended) Passed as amended “Article 8 was Adopted as Amended Unanimously”
- Art. 9 FY2025 Sewer Enterprise budget ($7,152,397) Passed “Article 9 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 10 FY2025 Water Enterprise budget ($8,744,543) Passed “Article 10 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 11 FY2025 Stormwater Enterprise budget ($722,225) Passed “Article 11 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 12 FY2025 Cable TV Enterprise budget ($424,523) Passed “Article 12 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 13 Transfer $1,354,223 from the Stabilization Fund for town capital equipment and projects Passed “Article 13 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 14 Transfer $5,568,000 from the Stabilization Fund for school capital equipment and projects Passed “Article 14 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 15 Transfer $525,000 from sewer retained earnings for sewer system improvements and a vehicle Passed “Article 15 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 16 Transfer $625,000 from water retained earnings for water system improvements, projects and vehicles Passed “Article 16 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 17 Appropriate $425,000 in the Stormwater Enterprise Fund for drainage improvements Passed “Article 17 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 18 Borrow $5,400,000 in the Water Enterprise Fund for water distribution improvements Passed “Article 18 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 19 Borrow $1,500,000 in the Water Enterprise Fund for water meters and components Passed “Article 19 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 20 Transfer $36,283 from bond premiums to reduce exempt debt principal Passed “Article 20 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 21 Appropriate $500,000 in CPA open space funds for boardwalks at Chandler Well Field Passed “Article 21 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 22 Appropriate $30,000 in CPA open space funds to remove former pump station structures on town open space Passed “Article 22 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 23 Appropriate $200,000 in CPA funds to design upgrades and renovations to the Ella Flemings School Passed “Article 23 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 24 Approve the FY2025 Affordable Housing Trust Fund allocation plan Passed “Article 24 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 25 Appropriate or reserve Community Preservation Fund annual revenues Passed “Article 25 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 26 Authorize the Select Board to sell town land on Delaware Road and Georgia Road Passed “Article 26 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 27 Authorize easements for DPW projects (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025) Passed “Article 27 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 28 Accept an easement for the Chandler Well Field boardwalk Passed “Article 28 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 29 Transfer certain town parcels to the Conservation Commission Passed “Article 29 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 30 Transfer care and control of the North Street Elementary School from the School Committee to the town Passed “Article 30 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 31 Approve a Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District stabilization fund Passed “Article 31 was Adopted Unanimously (2/3 Required)”
- Art. 32 Home rule petition to change the deed restriction on Chandler Street Little League fields to allow pickleball Passed “Article 32 was Adopted · 84 Yes/25 No”
- Art. 33 Replace the Conservation Commission wetland protection bylaw (Town Code Chapter 18.04) Passed “Article 33 was Adopted”
- Art. 34 Citizen petition: require property owners to clear snow from abutting sidewalks ($10 fine) Failed “Article 34 Failed”
- Art. 35 Citizen petition: authorize the Select Board to accept an easement from East Street Tewksbury, LLC Passed “Article 35 was Adopted Unanimously”
- Art. 36 Fund non-union salary increases under the Personnel Bylaw ($157,666 as amended) Passed as amended “Article 36 was Adopted as Amended by Secret Ballot · 92 Yes/13 No”
- Art. 41 Add an MBTA Communities Multifamily Overlay District to the Zoning Bylaw Failed “Article 41 Failed · 142 Yes/565 No”
- Art. 42 Add the MBTA Communities Multifamily Overlay District to the Zoning Map Withdrawn “Article 42 was Withdrawn”
Source: Town Clerk minutes: May 6, 2024 Annual Town Meeting (PDF).
Not here yet: The October 6, 2026 Special Town Meeting is not here yet because the Town Clerk has not posted its minutes.
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
Vice-ChairMark KratmanVice Chair · At-large · at 25 of 25 meetings
James F. MackeyMember · At-large · at 22 of 25 meetings
Eric RyderClerk · At-large · at 25 of 25 meetingsJayne E. WellmanMember · At-large · at 17 of 20 meetings · until Jan 2025"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: Tewksbury Select Board minutes from January 9, 2018 through July 14, 2026: 214 meetings and 2,477 votes. The town’s Agenda Center holds the board’s minutes back to January 2017; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. Until 2022 the board was the Board of Selectmen; Town Meeting asked the Legislature to rename it, the board approved the home rule petition’s wording on November 22, 2022, and on January 10, 2023 the Chair reported that the law had passed. The minutes use “Select Board” from then on. Most minutes are typed documents with searchable text; 12 sets from 2019 to 2025 are scanned images, which MassVoter read with text recognition and checked against the page images where the Town Clerk’s stamp covers a roll call. The May 16, 2023 minutes are posted as a Word file. Not here: executive-session minutes (some are posted beside the open-session minutes) and votes the board reported taking in executive session; cancelled meetings; votes of the Planning Board, School Committee, Board of Health and Library Trustees at joint meetings; meetings with an agenda but no posted minutes (among them June 24, 2019 (the file posted there is the July 1, 2019 minutes), September 4, 2019 (joint meeting with the School Committee), October 6, 2020, November 4, 2024, October 7, 2025, May 19, 2026 and June 23, 2026, and several short meetings before Town Meeting); and meetings after July 14, 2026 (the August 11, September 15, September 22, September 29 and October 6, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Tewksbury’s minutes end each motion with the count, “MOTION CARRIED: 4 – 0 – 0,” and name the members who vote no or abstain (“MOTION CARRIED: 3 – 1 – 0. (Nay – Board Member Mackey)”); older minutes read “the motion unanimously carried 4-0.” When the count matches the members present, every member present is shown voting yes; when it names the no votes or abstentions, the other members present are shown voting yes. Whenever a member takes part remotely the board votes by roll call (“Yea: … Nay: …”), shown by name. Where a count does not match the members present, or a split count names no one, we show the count only, with a note (64 votes); where a failed motion’s count does not show which side had the votes, or members chose between two nominees, we show the result only (3 votes). Members who arrived late or left early are shown only in the votes they were there for. 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.
Mar 25(the minutes do not state the motion)Motion: MOTION CARRIED: 3 - 0 - 0.Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
March 25, 2025: (the minutes do not state the motion)
MOTION CARRIED: 3 - 0 - 0.
The minutes record “MOTION CARRIED: 3 - 0 - 0.” at the end of the Town Manager’s report without saying what the motion was or who made it.
Feb 11Direct the Town Manager to take no action and…Motion: MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion that the Select Board…Failed 2–2 · No: Holland, Mackey
February 11, 2025: Direct the Town Manager to take no action and not submit any documentation to the state
MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion that the Select Board direct the Town Manager to take no action and not submit any documentation to the state. Vice-Chair Kratman seconded the motion. Discussion: Board Member Ryder commented that the town had spoken very clearly at the last Town Meeting not to support the MBTA Communities Zoning, and the residents were prepared to fight against it. He added that there were currently 23 Bills in the House that were to modify or eliminate the zoning. Mr. Curran advised the Select Board that he respectfully felt that taking no action would be a mistake. He said pragmatically that it made sense to take action so that the town would still be able to receive grants. He also said it was a state statute, and the onus was put directly on the Town Manager to submit the paperwork and follow through with the action plan. He said if he refused to submit the paperwork, it would be a violation of the state's statute, adding that it put him in a difficult position. He said if legal action were to be taken against the Town of Tewksbury or himself, they would not be covered by insurance. Board Member Ryder stated that he appreciated Mr. Curran's thoughts. He added that the document that was being requested to be submitted was to certify that the Town of Tewksbury would be compliant with the MBTA Zoning. Mr. Curran replied that it specifically mentioned the Town Manager's responsibility. Board Member Ryder said he felt the residents had the right to say
Yes: Kratman, RyderNo: Holland, MackeyThe minutes name James F. Mackey (no) and Patrick Holland (no) and record the motion as failed, 2-2-0; with 4 members present, the other members are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion that the Select Board direct the Town Manager to take no action and not submit any documentation to the state. Vice-Chair Kratman seconded the motion. Discussion: Board Member Ryder commented that the town had spoken very clearly at the last Town Meeting not to support the MBTA Communities Zoning, and the residents were prepared to fight against it. He added that there were currently 23 Bills in the House that were to modify or eliminate the zoning. Mr. Curran advised the Select Board that he respectfully felt that taking no action would be a mistake. He said pragmatically that it made sense to take action so that the town would still be able to receive grants. He also said it was a state statute, and the onus was put directly on the Town Manager to submit the paperwork and follow through with the action plan. He said if he refused to submit the paperwork, it would be a violation of the state's statute, adding that it put him in a difficult position. He said if legal action were to be taken against the Town of Tewksbury or himself, they would not be covered by insurance. Board Member Ryder stated that he appreciated Mr. Curran's thoughts. He added that the document that was being requested to be submitted was to certify that the Town of Tewksbury would be compliant with the MBTA Zoning. Mr. Curran replied that it specifically mentioned the Town Manager's responsibility. Board Member Ryder said he felt the residents had the right to say no, and he also felt that they needed to stand strong. Board Member Mackey stated that while he agreed with the will of the residents, however, he did not see the action plan as a hurdle. He said he felt it was a document that said, "If we were to do it, here is how we would do it." He said it would still have to go to Town Meeting. He said there was nothing that they could do that would circumvent Town Meeting. He added that submitting an action plan would buy them more time and that the town would not lose grants. He said he disagreed with the MBTA Zoning, but he was trying to be pragmatic about it. He added that although he did not like it, he did not think they had the right to say "no" to a law, and he was hopeful that the Select Board would allow the Town Manager to do what he was legally required to do by submitting the action plan. Chair Holland commented that he agreed with Board Member Mackey. He said he felt that the town should submit the action plan. Vice-Chair Kratman commented that there had been no small business study to see how they would be affected, noting that it was part of the legislation. MOTION FAILED: 2 - 2 - 0. (Nay - Board Member Mackey & Chair Holland).” (Motion: Ryder, second: Kratman)
Jan 7Approve the dates and times of the Annual and…Motion: MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the dates…Passed 4–0 · see note
January 7, 2025: Approve the dates and times of the Annual and Special Town Meetings as stated above
MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the dates and times of the Annual and Special Town Meetings as stated above. Board Member Mackey seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0.
Yes: Holland, Kratman, Mackey, RyderJayne E. Wellman had left the meeting before this vote and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the dates and times of the Annual and Special Town Meetings as stated above. Board Member Mackey seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0..” (Motion: Ryder, second: Mackey)
Jan 7Open the Annual and Special Town Meetings Articles starting…Motion: MOTION: Board Member Mackey made a motion to open the Annual…Passed 4–0 · see note
January 7, 2025: Open the Annual and Special Town Meetings Articles starting Wednesday, January 8, 2025, and close on Friday, 14, 2025, at 12:30 p.m
MOTION: Board Member Mackey made a motion to open the Annual and Special Town Meetings Articles starting Wednesday, January 8, 2025, and close on Friday, 14, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. Board Member Ryder seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0.
Yes: Holland, Kratman, Mackey, RyderJayne E. Wellman had left the meeting before this vote and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Board Member Mackey made a motion to open the Annual and Special Town Meetings Articles starting Wednesday, January 8, 2025, and close on Friday, 14, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. Board Member Ryder seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0..” (Motion: Mackey, second: Ryder)
Jan 7Approve Town Counsel's Invoice from November 16, 2024, through…Motion: MOTION: Vice-Chair Kratman made a motion to approve Town Counsel's Invoice…Passed 4–0 · see note
January 7, 2025: Approve Town Counsel's Invoice from November 16, 2024, through November 30, 2024, in the amount of $3,952.50
MOTION: Vice-Chair Kratman made a motion to approve Town Counsel's Invoice from November 16, 2024, through November 30, 2024, in the amount of $3,952.50. Board Member Ryder seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0.
Yes: Holland, Kratman, Mackey, RyderJayne E. Wellman had left the meeting before this vote and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Vice-Chair Kratman made a motion to approve Town Counsel's Invoice from November 16, 2024, through November 30, 2024, in the amount of $3,952.50. Board Member Ryder seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0..” (Motion: Kratman, second: Ryder)
Jan 7Approve Town Counsel's Invoice from December 1, 2024, through…Motion: MOTION: Vice-Chair Kratman made a motion to approve Town Counsel's Invoice…Passed 4–0 · see note
January 7, 2025: Approve Town Counsel's Invoice from December 1, 2024, through December 15, 2024, in the amount of $3,102.50
MOTION: Vice-Chair Kratman made a motion to approve Town Counsel's Invoice from December 1, 2024, through December 15, 2024, in the amount of $3,102.50. Board Member Ryder seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0.
Yes: Holland, Kratman, Mackey, RyderJayne E. Wellman had left the meeting before this vote and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Vice-Chair Kratman made a motion to approve Town Counsel's Invoice from December 1, 2024, through December 15, 2024, in the amount of $3,102.50. Board Member Ryder seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0..” (Motion: Kratman, second: Ryder)
Jan 7Approve the minutes from the November 12, 2024, meeting,…Motion: MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the minutes…Passed 4–0 · see note
January 7, 2025: Approve the minutes from the November 12, 2024, meeting, as presented
MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 12, 2024, meeting, as presented. Board Member Mackey seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0.
Yes: Holland, Kratman, Mackey, RyderJayne E. Wellman had left the meeting before this vote and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 12, 2024, meeting, as presented. Board Member Mackey seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0..” (Motion: Ryder, second: Mackey)
Jan 7Approve the minutes from the November 26, 2024, meeting,…Motion: MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the minutes…Passed 4–0 · see note
January 7, 2025: Approve the minutes from the November 26, 2024, meeting, as presented
MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 26, 2024, meeting, as presented. Vice-Chair Kratman seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0.
Yes: Holland, Kratman, Mackey, RyderJayne E. Wellman had left the meeting before this vote and is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 26, 2024, meeting, as presented. Vice-Chair Kratman seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 0..” (Motion: Ryder, second: Kratman)
Nov 26Approve the applicationMotion: MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the application.…Passed 4–1 · No: Mackey
November 26, 2024: Approve the application
MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the application. Vice-Chair Kratman seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 1 - 0. (Nay: Board Member Mackey)
Yes: Holland, Kratman, Ryder, WellmanNo: Mackey
From the minutes
“MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the application. Vice-Chair Kratman seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 1 - 0. (Nay: Board Member Mackey).” (Motion: Ryder, second: Kratman)
Oct 22Approve the sale of 283 Pleasant Street with the…Motion: MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the sale…Passed 3–2 · No: Kratman, Wellman
October 22, 2024 (Special meeting): Approve the sale of 283 Pleasant Street with the removal of contingencies 4, 5, & 6
MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the sale of 283 Pleasant Street with the removal of contingencies 4, 5, & 6. Chair Holland seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 3 - 2 - 0. (Nay - Board Member Wellman and Vice-Chair Kratman)
Yes: Holland, Mackey, RyderNo: Kratman, Wellman
From the minutes
“MOTION: Board Member Ryder made a motion to approve the sale of 283 Pleasant Street with the removal of contingencies 4, 5, & 6. Chair Holland seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED: 3 - 2 - 0. (Nay - Board Member Wellman and Vice-Chair Kratman).” (Motion: Ryder, second: Holland)
From the Tewksbury Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (Select Board). 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): The Lowell Sun — John Lombardo (Peter Currier, April 2026), Richard Russo Jr. (Aaron Curtis, April 2025), Eric Ryder (courtesy photo, April 2024); Tewksbury Town Crier courtesy photos — Mark Kratman (March 2025) and James F. Mackey III (March 2024). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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