MassVoter.com← TownsendMunicipal votes · 2026–2027 Board
Townsend Select Board
How the Townsend Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. Sarah Logan joined the board after the April 27, 2026 town election, succeeding Veronica Kell (who did not run). On April 28, 2026 the board chose Valerie Goodrich as Chair, Laura Shifrin as Vice Chair and Sarah Logan as Clerk (roll calls). Voters at the same election ratified Article 7 of the May 6, 2025 Town Meeting, enlarging the board from three to five members; the special election for the two new seats, first set for October 6, 2026, was postponed by court order to December 8, 2026, so the two seats are vacant. Minutes after July 22, 2026 are not posted yet. The end date is a placeholder. Covers 10 meetings so far, April 28 to July 22, 2026.
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 Townsend ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Vote Transparency Score
Townsend Select Board: 7 out of 10 · Mostly open
How easy Townsend makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the town’s records, not any official. Checked October 12, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for every meeting more than three months old.Full points: 2/2
- Each vote namedThe minutes list how each member voted on every split vote.Full points: 3/3
- Posted quicklyMinutes are posted within about three months, but recent meetings are still missing.Part points: 1/2
- Past years onlineSelect Board minutes from 2010 to today are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textMost minutes are scanned images, not text you can search and copy.No points: 0/1
- Member photosThe town’s website lists the members’ names but no photos.No points: 0/1
How the town can raise its score
- Posted quickly (+1): Post minutes within 30 days. If approval takes longer, post a draft marked “Draft – not yet approved” and replace it later.
- 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.
- Member photos (+1): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the town 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.
Board years
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Townsend’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
What Town Meeting decided
In Townsend, 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 5, 2026 1 votes: 1 passed
Sessions: May 5, 2026 (held during the Annual Town Meeting)
- Art. 1 Transfer $312,817 from free cash to cover the FY2026 snow and ice deficit Passed “VOTED: Passed unanimously.”
Source: Town Clerk: Annual and Special Town Meeting Minutes, May 5, 2026 (PDF) - Special Town Meeting part.
Annual Town Meeting · May 5, 2026 20 votes: 13 passed, 2 passed as amended, 1 indefinitely postponed, 4 no action
- Art. 1 Hear reports of boards, committees and commissions No action “VOTED: No vote taken.”
- Art. 2 Authorize the Select Board to appoint all Town officers not otherwise provided for Passed “VOTED: Passed.”
- Art. 3 Elect three West Townsend residents to the James H. Tucker Trust Fund Committee Passed “elected unanimously to the James H. Tucker Trust Fund Committee by voice vote as declared by the Moderator.”
- Art. 4 FY2027 Community Preservation budget and reserves (amended to $191,000 in estimated revenues) Passed as amended “VOTED: Amendment passed. Amended main motion passed.”
- Art. 5 Add a Police Detail Administrative Fee revolving fund with a $10,000 FY2027 limit Passed “VOTED: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 6 Set FY2027 revolving fund spending limits Passed “VOTED: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 7 Set the Town Clerk salary at $71,795 for FY2027 Passed “VOTED: Passed.”
- Art. 8 Adopt the FY2027 operating budget of $28,644,820 Passed “VOTED – OVERALL BUDGET AND TRANSFERS IN: Passed.”
- Art. 9 Put $648,332.41 in PFAS settlement money into the PFAS Maintenance Fund Passed “VOTED: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 10 Appropriate $2,497,508 from Water Enterprise revenues for the FY2027 Water Department budget Passed “VOTED: Passed.”
- Art. 11 Appropriate $797,237 from Solid Waste Enterprise revenues for the FY2027 Solid Waste budget Passed “VOTED: Passed.”
- Art. 12 Fund the $268,620 FY2027 capital plan (loader lease, police cruiser lease, fire bunker gear) Passed “VOTED: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 13 Transfer $8,000 from free cash for FY2027 assessors’ property inspections Passed “VOTED: Passed.”
- Art. 14 Appropriate $152,844 from PEG access receipts to Townsend Community Access Media Passed “VOTED: Passed.”
- Art. 15 Town Meeting bylaw: Select Board sets warrant posting locations; website posting as a supplement Passed “VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: Passed.”
- Art. 16 Allow the Select Board to sell 264 Dudley Road (West Townsend Reading Room) Indefinitely postponed “VOTE ON MOTION TO POSTPONE INDEFINITELY: Passed.”
- Art. 17 Declare town-owned parcels available for sale (excluding 264 Dudley Rd., 276 Main St. and 6 Elm St.) Passed as amended “VOTE ON AMENDED MAIN MOTION: Passed by two-thirds as declared by the moderator.”
- Art. 18 Citizen petition: cut marijuana facility buffer zone from 500 feet to 100 feet No action “VOTE ON MOTION TO TAKE NO ACTION: Passed.”
- Art. 19 Zoning: allow medical marijuana and cultivation uses in the Outlying Commercial district as well as Industrial No action “VOTE ON MOTION TO TAKE NO ACTION: Passed.”
- Art. 20 Citizen petition: drop the indoor-only and not-agricultural rules for marijuana cultivation No action “VOTE ON MOTION TO TAKE NO ACTION: Passed.”
Source: Town Clerk: Annual and Special Town Meeting Minutes, May 5, 2026 (PDF) - Annual Town Meeting part.
Special Town Meeting · February 25, 2026 9 votes: 4 passed, 2 failed, 3 no action
Sessions: Called for February 25, 2026; recessed for weather and held March 19, 2026
- Art. 1 Transfer $41,599.79 from free cash for ClearGov budgeting software Failed “VOTE: Motion failed.”
- Art. 2 Appropriate $4,750 for an actuarial study of retiree health insurance liability Passed “VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: Motion passed.”
- Art. 3 Create a stabilization fund for Town Counsel legal costs and put $50,000 in it Failed “VOTE: Motion failed.”
- Art. 4 Appropriate $53,500 in ARPA funds for a one-year FY2026 police union contract Passed “VOTE: Motion passed.”
- Art. 5 Appropriate $197,000 for the FY2027 police union contract, contingent on a Proposition 2 1/2 override Passed “VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: Motion passed.”
- Art. 6 50-year lease of Squannacook Meadows open space to Townsend Ashby Youth Soccer Association Passed “VOTE ON MAIN MOTION: Motion passed.”
- Art. 7 Replace the Recycling revolving fund with a Board of Health revolving fund No action “the meeting should dissolve, and the articles could be brought back at a further town meeting.”
- Art. 8 Add a Town Clerk bylaw (new Chapter 38) on the Clerk’s powers and duties No action “the meeting should dissolve, and the articles could be brought back at a further town meeting.”
- Art. 9 Transfer $20,000 from free cash to replenish the election appropriation No action “the meeting should dissolve, and the articles could be brought back at a further town meeting.”
Source: Town Clerk: Special Town Meeting Minutes, February 25, 2026 (held March 19, 2026) (PDF).
Special Town Meeting · September 25, 2025 6 votes: 3 passed, 2 failed, 1 tabled
- Art. 1 Transfer care of 0 Dudley Road from the Select Board to the Conservation Commission Passed “VOTE: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 2 Add a Multi-Family Overlay District on Fitchburg Road (MBTA Communities zoning) and related zoning changes Passed “VOTE: Passed by majority, 77-24 (standing count). · 77-24”
- Art. 3 Also allow single-family homes in the new Multi-Family Overlay District Passed “VOTE: Passed by two thirds as declared by the moderator.”
- Art. 4 Historic Districts bylaw: add enforcement section (Sec. 54-8) Tabled “VOTE TO TABLE: Passed by two thirds, 72-23 (standing count). · 72-23”
- Art. 5 Accept MGL c. 53 s. 18B: mail ballot question information to each household Failed “VOTE: Motion fails.”
- Art. 6 Bar apartment/multifamily buildings on two parcels (Blood Road and West Elm Street) Failed “VOTE: Motion fails.”
Source: Town Clerk: Special Town Meeting Minutes, September 25, 2025 (PDF).
Special Town Meeting · June 18, 2025 5 votes: 3 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 no action
Sessions: June 18 and June 23, 2025
- Art. 1 Accept MGL c. 44 s. 53F1/2: make trash and recycling an enterprise fund from FY2026 Passed “VOTE: Main motion passed by majority.”
- Art. 2 Fund FY2026 Solid Waste and Recycling Enterprise: $160,000 from General Stabilization and $626,351 raised Passed “VOTE: Main motion passed by two-thirds, declared by the moderator.”
- Art. 3 Appropriate $15,000 from the Sale of Lots Fund for cemetery upkeep Passed “VOTE: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 4 Amend the Charter to make Constables elected officials No action “VOTE: Motion to pass over passed by majority.”
- Art. 5 Appropriate $258,827 for FY2026 wages and benefits, contingent on a Proposition 2 1/2 override Passed as amended “VOTE: Amended main motion passed, 78-42, by standing count. · 78-42”
Special Town Meeting · May 6, 2025 4 votes: 4 passed
Sessions: May 6, 2025 (held during the Annual Town Meeting)
- Art. 1 Hear reports of boards, committees and commissions Passed “VOTE: Passed by majority.”
- Art. 2 Transfer $291,600 from free cash to cover the FY2025 snow and ice deficit Passed “VOTE: Passed by Majority.”
- Art. 3 Move $53,784.74 left in old warrant articles to Memorial Hall exterior repairs Passed “VOTE: Main motion passed by majority.”
- Art. 4 Move $26,329.20 left in old warrant articles to the Capital Stabilization Account Passed “VOTE: Passed unanimously.”
Annual Town Meeting · May 6, 2025 19 votes: 18 passed, 1 no action
Sessions: May 6, June 18 and June 23, 2025
- Art. 1 Hear reports of boards, committees and commissions Passed “VOTE: Passed by majority.”
- Art. 2 Authorize the Select Board to appoint all Town officers not otherwise provided for Passed “VOTE: Passed by majority.”
- Art. 3 Amend zoning rules for age-restricted development (Sec. 54.1) Passed “VOTE: Main motion passed by two-thirds, declared by the moderator.”
- Art. 4 Replace the Floodplain District zoning section with a new Floodplain Overlay District Passed “VOTE: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 5 Update zoning map reference to the July 8, 2025 flood insurance rate map Passed “VOTE: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 6 Add a Community Preservation Committee bylaw (Chapter 139) Passed “VOTE: Main motion passed by majority.”
- Art. 7 Enlarge the Select Board from three to five members, subject to approval at the Town election Passed “VOTE: Passed by two-thirds, declared by the moderator.”
- Art. 8 Set FY2026 revolving fund spending limits Passed “VOTE: Passed by majority.”
- Art. 9 Add a Town Hall public records revolving fund with a $5,000 FY2026 limit Passed “VOTE: Main motion passed by majority.”
- Art. 10 Raise money outside Proposition 2 1/2 to balance the FY2026 budget No action “VOTE: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 13 Appropriate $2,169,359.62 from Water Enterprise revenues for the FY2026 Water Department budget Passed “VOTE: Passed by majority.”
- Art. 14 Fund $245,620 of the FY2026 capital plan (loader lease, Memorial Hall fire suppression, cruisers, water studies) Passed “VOTE: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 15 Borrow $295,000 for a six-wheel dump truck with plow and sander Passed “VOTE: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 16 Transfer $10,000 from overlay surplus for FY2026 assessors’ property inspections Passed “VOTE: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 17 Appropriate $166,490.67 from PEG access receipts to Townsend Community Access Media Passed “VOTE: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 18 Accept Clause 22I: yearly cost-of-living increase in veterans’ property tax exemptions Passed “VOTE: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 19 Accept Clause 22J: added veterans’ property tax exemption of up to 100% of the personal exemption Passed “VOTE: Passed, 81 to 57, at a standing count. · 81 to 57”
- Art. 12 Set salaries of elected Town officers as appropriated in the warrant Passed “VOTE: Passed by majority.”
- Art. 11 Adopt the FY2026 operating budget without an override: $27,592,926 Passed “VOTE: Main motion passed by majority.”
Special Town Meeting · August 20, 2024 11 votes: 9 passed, 1 failed, 1 no action
- Art. 1 Pay a $656.11 prior-year water meter bill from the Water Enterprise Fund Passed “Voted: Passed by 9/10 vote as declared by Moderator.”
- Art. 2 Amend FY2025 budget: use $800,000 (up $100,000) of ambulance receipts to operate EMS Passed “Voted: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 3 Amend FY2025 budget: cut $66,300 (Town Administrator salary, auto allowance, MIS, police equipment) Passed “Vote on original motion: Passed by majority”
- Art. 4 Amend FY2025 budget: add $691,475 for North Middlesex schools; $136,000 from General Stabilization Passed “Voted: Passed by 2/3 vote, declared by Moderator”
- Art. 5 Amend FY2025 budget: add $248,209 and $38,929 for Nashoba Valley Tech assessment and exempt debt Passed “Voted: Passed by majority”
- Art. 6 Amend FY2025 budget: add $25,000 for costs of collecting curbside trash fees Failed “Voted: The motion did not pass.”
- Art. 7 Add $13,200 to the Caterpillar loader lease approved in 2021 Passed “Vote: Passed by majority”
- Art. 8 Close out old warrant articles and return balances to the General Fund Passed “Voted: Passed Unanimously, declared by Moderator”
- Art. 9 Accept MGL c. 41 s. 108P: extra pay for certified treasurer or collector Passed “Voted: Passed by Majority”
- Art. 10 Acquire a drainage easement at 94 Fitchburg Road ($4,000 from ARPA funds) Passed “Voted: Passed by Majority”
- Art. 11 Transfer from General Stabilization to balance the budget No action “Voted: Passed by majority.”
Special Town Meeting · May 7, 2024 17 votes: 13 passed, 1 passed as amended, 3 failed
Sessions: May 7, 2024 (opened during the Annual Town Meeting)
- Art. 1 Hear reports of boards, committees and commissions Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 2 Transfer $12,457 from free cash to the FY2024 general insurance budget Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 3 Transfer $5,000 from free cash for a Board of Health housing protocol for condemned homes Passed “VOTED: Passed by majority”
- Art. 4 Transfer $22,000 from free cash to the Town Clerk election budget Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 5 Transfer $5,000 from free cash for Conservation Commission education, outreach and training Passed “VOTED: Passed by majority”
- Art. 6 Transfer $1,000 from free cash for Historic District Commission training, materials and signs Passed “VOTED: Passed by majority”
- Art. 7 Transfer $5,000 from free cash for workers' compensation and injured-on-duty claims Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 8 Transfer $6,000 from free cash for CDL training for Highway Department staff Passed “VOTED: Passed by majority”
- Art. 9 Transfer $14,500 from free cash for a consultant to assist the Bylaw Review Committee Failed “VOTED: The Motion did not carry”
- Art. 10 Transfer $100,000 from ambulance receipts for Fire Department emergency vehicle equipment (amended from $35,000) Passed as amended “VOTE: Passed by majority”
- Art. 11 Transfer $181,010 from free cash to cover the FY2024 snow and ice deficit Passed “VOTED: Passed by majority”
- Art. 12 Five-year trash and recycling contract with G.W. Shaw and Son, including toters Failed “VOTED: The vote on the main motion on Article 12 did not pass. · Yes: 104. No: 123.”
- Art. 13 Five-year trash and recycling contract with G.W. Shaw and Son, not including toters Failed “VOTED: The vote on the main motion did not pass.”
- Art. 14 Citizen petition: rezone 39 Greenville Road and an adjacent Greenville Road lot from Industrial to Residential Passed “VOTED: Motion passed by 2/3, declared by moderator”
- Art. 15 Lease the Old Harbor Fire Station (65 Main St.) to the Townsend Fire-EMS Relief Association for up to 50 years Passed “VOTED: Passed by majority”
- Art. 16 Lease the Old Central Fire Station (8 Elm St.) to the Townsend Fire-EMS Relief Association for up to 50 years Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 17 Allow the Select Board to sell or convey 182 Warren Road Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
Annual Town Meeting · May 7, 2024 20 votes: 16 passed, 2 failed, 2 no action
Sessions: May 7 and May 9, 2024
- Art. 1 Authorize the Select Board to appoint all Town officers not otherwise provided for Passed “VOTED: Passed by majority”
- Art. 2 Accept reports of committees, boards and commissions as printed in the Annual Report Passed “VOTED: Passed by majority”
- Art. 3 Set FY2025 revolving fund spending limits Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 4 Adopt the FY2025 operating budget of $26,544,254 Passed “VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION: Vote on the original motion passed by majority.”
- Art. 5 Transfer free cash to balance the FY2025 budget No action “VOTED: Passed by Majority”
- Art. 6 Set salaries of elected Town officers as appropriated in the warrant Passed “VOTED: Passed unanimously.”
- Art. 7 Appropriate $2,062,174 from Water Enterprise revenues for the FY2025 Water Department budget Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 8 Borrow $472,700 for the FY2025 capital plan (police records system, energy retrofit, two plow trucks) Passed “VOTED: Motion passed, declared 2/3 by Moderator”
- Art. 9 Accept MGL c. 44 s. 54(b) so Town trust funds may be invested under the Prudent Investor Rule Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 10 Appropriate $130,140 from PEG access receipts to Townsend Community Access Media Passed “VOTED: Passed by majority”
- Art. 11 Transfer $5,000 from free cash for planning the Town's 300th anniversary in 2032 Passed “VOTED: Passed unanimously”
- Art. 12 Transfer $8,000 from free cash for FY2025 assessors’ property inspections Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 13 Change Council on Aging terms of office from four years to three years Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 14 Scenic Roads bylaw: set application fee by Planning Board fee schedule Passed “VOTED: Passed Unanimously”
- Art. 15 Add a Noise Control bylaw with fines Failed “VOTED: Motion did not pass”
- Art. 16 Replace the Public Lighting bylaw with an Outdoor Lighting bylaw with fines Failed “VOTED: Motion did not pass. Vote was counted: · Yes: 39. No: 61.”
- Art. 17 Correct statute and section references in the Affordable Housing Trust bylaw Passed “VOTED: Passed by majority”
- Art. 18 Amend zoning rules for accessory apartments in residential districts (Sec. 145-36) Passed “VOTED: Motion passed by 2/3 vote declared by Moderator.”
- Art. 19 Set large-scale solar permit fee by Planning Board fee schedule (zoning Sec. 145-86) Passed “VOTED: Motion passed by 2/3 declared by Moderator”
- Art. 20 Delete the Outdoor Lighting section (145-52) from the zoning bylaw No action “VOTED: Passed by majority.”
Special Town Meeting · March 19, 2024 4 votes: 4 passed
- Art. 1 Hear a presentation on the Nashoba Valley Technical High School budget Passed “VOTED: Passed by majority.”
- Art. 2 Appropriate $287,138 for FY2025 Nashoba Valley Tech assessments, contingent on a Proposition 2 1/2 override Passed “VOTED: Article 2 passed by majority.”
- Art. 3 Hear a presentation on the North Middlesex Regional School District budget Passed “VOTED: Article 3 passed by majority.”
- Art. 4 Appropriate $1,461,294 for FY2025 North Middlesex Regional School District assessments, contingent on an override Passed “VOTED: Article 4 passed by majority.”
Not here yet: A Special Town Meeting held January 28, 2025 is not here because its minutes are not posted; no Town Meeting after May 5, 2026 is posted yet.
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
ChairValerie GoodrichChair · At-large · at 10 of 10 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Vice-ChairLaura ShifrinVice-Chair · At-large · at 10 of 10 meetings
Sarah LoganClerk · At-large · at 10 of 10 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.
Attendance
24 full-board meetings so far this year, through July 22. Ties share a rank.
1Valerie Goodrich24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Laura Shifrin24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Veronica Kell14 of 14 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%1Sarah Logan10 of 10 meetings · served from Apr Every meeting100%56 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Veronica Kell56 of 56 meetings Every meeting100%1Valerie Goodrich32 of 32 meetings · served from Apr Every meeting100%3Laura Shifrin52 of 56 meetings93%28 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Chaz Sexton-Diranian19 of 19 meetings · served until Aug Every meeting100%1Veronica Kell4 of 4 meetings · served from Nov100%1Laura Shifrin4 of 4 meetings · served from Nov100%4Joseph Z. Shank23 of 24 meetings · served until Sep96%5Theresa A. Morse25 of 28 meetings89%29 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Chaz Sexton-Diranian29 of 29 meetings Every meeting100%1Joseph Z. Shank18 of 18 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Veronica Kell11 of 11 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%4Theresa A. Morse27 of 29 meetings93%40 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1Veronica Kell40 of 40 meetings Every meeting100%1Chaz Sexton-Diranian40 of 40 meetings Every meeting100%3Theresa A. Morse22 of 24 meetings · served from Apr92%4Joseph Z. Shank14 of 16 meetings · served until Apr88%33 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1Veronica Kell33 of 33 meetings Every meeting100%1Chaz Sexton-Diranian21 of 21 meetings · served from Jun Every meeting100%3Wayne Miller11 of 12 meetings · served until Apr92%4Joseph Z. Shank28 of 31 meetings · served from Jan90%26 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1Wayne Miller26 of 26 meetings Every meeting100%1Veronica Kell18 of 18 meetings · served from Jun Every meeting100%3Don Klein16 of 17 meetings · served until Sep94%36 full-board meetings in 2019. Ties share a rank.
1Sue Lisio33 of 34 meetings · served until Nov97%2Wayne Miller34 of 36 meetings94%3Don Klein18 of 21 meetings · served from Apr86%4Cindy King5 of 15 meetings · served until Apr33%33 full-board meetings in 2018. Ties share a rank.
1Gordon Clark11 of 11 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%2Wayne Miller21 of 22 meetings · served from Apr95%3Sue Lisio31 of 33 meetings94%4Cindy King26 of 33 meetings79%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
Loaded: Townsend Select Board minutes from January 16, 2018 through July 22, 2026: 305 meetings and 3,183 votes. The board had three members until 2026. Article 7 of the May 6, 2025 Annual Town Meeting (a citizens’ petition) enlarged it to five members, and voters ratified the change as Question 1 at the April 27, 2026 town election (884 to 380). The special election for the two new seats (terms to April 2028 and April 2029) was set for October 6, 2026 and then postponed by court order to December 8, 2026, so as of October 12, 2026 three members serve and two seats are vacant. The town’s Agendas and Minutes page holds the board’s minutes back to 2010 (2017 has few files); MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. The minutes call the board the Board of Selectmen until spring 2023; from May 2023 they use “Selectboard” or “Select Board,” mixed with the old name until late 2024. Nearly all minutes files are scanned images (signed, Town Clerk-stamped copies), which MassVoter read with text recognition and checked where names or counts were unclear; the March 20, 2018 and March 5, 2019 minutes are Word files, and a few files (among them April 7 to May 7, 2026) have searchable text. Not here: executive-session minutes (the June 9 and June 23, 2020 meetings, which have only executive-session minutes, are loaded from those released minutes); cancelled meetings; votes of the Housing Authority, Water Commissioners, Planning Board, Finance Committee and other boards at joint meetings; meetings with an agenda but no posted minutes, among them February 1 and 2, 2021, April 27 to June 15, 2021 (including the 2021 reorganization), and several dates in 2018, 2020, late 2021 and February 2022; dates where the file posted is the wrong one or incomplete (the March 10, 2020 file repeats the August 4, 2020 minutes and is loaded once; the July 30, 2020 file is the June 30, 2020 minutes, with page 2 missing; the March 6, 2020 agenda is a March 6, 2021 budget work session); and meetings after July 22, 2026 (the August 5 to October 6, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Townsend’s minutes have used several forms: in 2018 and 2019 “Unanimous vote” or a count after the mover and seconder’s initials; from 2020 to 2022 roll calls by initials or name (“CSD (NO) VK (YES)”) or “Motion was passed with all in favor”; and since 2023 a roll call by name on nearly every vote (“Roll call vote: Veronica Kell - aye, Valerie Goodrich - aye, Laura Shifrin - aye”). A count equal to the members present, or unanimous wording, is shown as every member present voting yes. On a three-member board, when the minutes name one member voting no, the other two are shown voting yes. Where the count and the names in the minutes disagree we show the count only (1 vote), and where the minutes give no count or names we show the result only (55 votes, most of them the board’s positions on 2018 and 2019 Town Meeting articles). Members who recused themselves, abstained or were out of the room are shown that way or left out of that vote, with a note; 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.
Jul 22(the minutes do not state the motion)Motion: The amendment was seconded by Laura Shifrin. Amended Motion: To extend…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
July 22, 2026: (the minutes do not state the motion)
The amendment was seconded by Laura Shifrin. Amended Motion: To extend the CBIZ Advisors, LLC contract for one year, naming Elizabeth as the Town Accountant adviser, pending Town Counsel approval. Roll Call Vote: Laura Shifrin yes, Sarah Logan yes, Valerie Goodrich yes.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“The amendment was seconded by Laura Shifrin. Amended Motion: To extend the CBIZ Advisors, LLC contract for one year, naming Elizabeth as the Town Accountant adviser, pending Town Counsel approval. Roll Call Vote: Laura Shifrin yes, Sarah Logan yes, Valerie Goodrich yes..” (second: Shifrin)
Jun 30Allow the Board of Health Agent to carry over…Motion: Motion by Sarah Logan to allow the Board of Health Agent…Passed 2–0 · Abstained: Logan
June 30, 2026: Allow the Board of Health Agent to carry over her vacation time, to be used by December 31, 2026
Motion by Sarah Logan to allow the Board of Health Agent to carry over her vacation time, to be used by December 31, 2026. Seconded by Laura Shifrin. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - Abstained; Laura Shifrin - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes.
Yes: Goodrich, ShifrinAbstained: Logan
From the minutes
“Motion by Sarah Logan to allow the Board of Health Agent to carry over her vacation time, to be used by December 31, 2026. Seconded by Laura Shifrin. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - Abstained; Laura Shifrin - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes..” (Motion: Logan, second: Shifrin)
Jun 30Reimburse the former HR employee for expenditures made on…Motion: Motion by Sarah Logan to reimburse the former HR employee for…Failed 0–3 · No: Goodrich, Logan, Shifrin
June 30, 2026: Reimburse the former HR employee for expenditures made on her own
Motion by Sarah Logan to reimburse the former HR employee for expenditures made on her own. Seconded by Laura Shiftin. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - No; Laura Shifrin - No; Valerie Goodrich - No.
No: Goodrich, Logan, ShifrinThe roll call records more no votes than yes votes, so the motion is shown as failed.
From the minutes
“Motion by Sarah Logan to reimburse the former HR employee for expenditures made on her own. Seconded by Laura Shiftin. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - No; Laura Shifrin - No; Valerie Goodrich - No..” (Motion: Logan, second: Shifrin)
Jun 30(the minutes do not state the motion)Motion: Both motions were seconded by Sarah Logan. Roll Call vote Sarah…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
June 30, 2026: (the minutes do not state the motion)
Both motions were seconded by Sarah Logan. Roll Call vote Sarah Logan - yes, Laura Shifrin - yes, Valerie Goodtich - yes.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Both motions were seconded by Sarah Logan. Roll Call vote Sarah Logan - yes, Laura Shifrin - yes, Valerie Goodtich - yes..” (second: Logan)
Jun 16Approve the TCAM Agreement as presented and authorize signing…Motion: Motion by Sarah Logan to approve the TCAM Agreement as presented…Passed 2–0 · Abstained: Shifrin
June 16, 2026 (Joint meeting): Approve the TCAM Agreement as presented and authorize signing out of session with signature stamp
Motion by Sarah Logan to approve the TCAM Agreement as presented and authorize signing out of session with signature stamp. Seconded by Laura Shifrin. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - Yes | Valerie Goodrich - Yes | Laura Shifrin - Abstain.
Yes: Goodrich, LoganAbstained: Shifrin
From the minutes
“Motion by Sarah Logan to approve the TCAM Agreement as presented and authorize signing out of session with signature stamp. Seconded by Laura Shifrin. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - Yes | Valerie Goodrich - Yes | Laura Shifrin - Abstain..” (Motion: Logan, second: Shifrin)
May 19Appoint Veronica Kell as a full member of the…Motion: Motion to appoint Veronica Kell as a full member of the…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
May 19, 2026: Appoint Veronica Kell as a full member of the Townsend Affordable Housing Trust for the term of May 19, 2026, through June 30, 2028
Motion to appoint Veronica Kell as a full member of the Townsend Affordable Housing Trust for the term of May 19, 2026, through June 30, 2028, was made by Sarah JLogan and seconded by Laura Shifrin. Roll Call Vote: (Shifrin - Yes; Logan - Yes; Goodrich - Yes)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion to appoint Veronica Kell as a full member of the Townsend Affordable Housing Trust for the term of May 19, 2026, through June 30, 2028, was made by Sarah JLogan and seconded by Laura Shifrin. Roll Call Vote: (Shifrin - Yes; Logan - Yes; Goodrich - Yes).” (second: Shifrin)
May 19Roll CallMotion: Motion was seconded by Laura Shifrin. Roll Call Vote: Laura Shifrin…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
May 19, 2026: Roll Call
Motion was seconded by Laura Shifrin. Roll Call Vote: Laura Shifrin - Yes | Sarah Logan - Yes | Valerie Goodrich - Yes.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was seconded by Laura Shifrin. Roll Call Vote: Laura Shifrin - Yes | Sarah Logan - Yes | Valerie Goodrich - Yes..” (second: Shifrin)
Apr 28Elect Sarah Logan as ClerkMotion: Valerie Goodrich nominated Sarah Logan as Clerk. Sarah Logan accepted, seconded…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
April 28, 2026: Elect Sarah Logan as Clerk
Valerie Goodrich nominated Sarah Logan as Clerk. Sarah Logan accepted, seconded by Laura Shifrin. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Laura Shifrin - Yes.
Reorganization of the board after the April 27, 2026 election.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich nominated Sarah Logan as Clerk. Sarah Logan accepted, seconded by Laura Shifrin. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes; Laura Shifrin - Yes..” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Shifrin)
Apr 28Elect Valerie Goodrich as ChairMotion: Sarah Logan nominated Valerie Goodrich as Chair. Valerie Goodrich accepted and…Passed 2–0 · see note
April 28, 2026: Elect Valerie Goodrich as Chair
Sarah Logan nominated Valerie Goodrich as Chair. Valerie Goodrich accepted and seconded. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes. (Laura Shifrin did not vote)
Yes: Goodrich, LoganThe minutes say “(Laura Shifrin did not vote)”; she is not shown voting. Valerie Goodrich seconded her own nomination.
From the minutes
“Sarah Logan nominated Valerie Goodrich as Chair. Valerie Goodrich accepted and seconded. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes. (Laura Shifrin did not vote).” (Motion: Logan, second: Goodrich)
Apr 28Elect Laura Shifrin as Vice ChairMotion: Valerie Goodrich nominated Laura Shifrin as Vice Chair, seconded by Sarah…Passed 2–0 · see note
April 28, 2026: Elect Laura Shifrin as Vice Chair
Valerie Goodrich nominated Laura Shifrin as Vice Chair, seconded by Sarah Logan. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes. (Laura Shifrin did not vote)
Yes: Goodrich, LoganThe minutes say “(Laura Shifrin did not vote)”; she is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Valerie Goodrich nominated Laura Shifrin as Vice Chair, seconded by Sarah Logan. Roll Call Vote: Sarah Logan - Yes; Valerie Goodrich - Yes. (Laura Shifrin did not vote).” (Motion: Goodrich, second: Logan)
From the Townsend Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s Agendas and Minutes page (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): Town of Townsend Candidates Night video — Valerie Goodrich and Sarah Logan (April 2025); Just Townies — Laura Shifrin (October 2023). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members 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 →