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Municipal votes · 2020–2021 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. Veronica Kell joined the board after the June 29, 2020 town election; from July 7, 2020 the minutes list Wayne Miller as Chairman, Don Klein as Vice-Chairman and Veronica Kell as Clerk. Don Klein’s last meeting was September 15, 2020; on October 20, 2020 the board made Veronica Kell Vice-Chair, and two members served until Joseph Z. Shank won the January 23, 2021 special election for the empty seat (term to April 2022). From February 8, 2021 the minutes list Veronica Kell as Chairman, Wayne Miller as Vice Chairman and Joseph Shank as Clerk (the February 1 and 2, 2021 minutes are not posted). Wayne Miller’s last meeting was March 30, 2021. Covers 29 meetings, July 7 to April 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 budget
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Board years

Coming up

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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)

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

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

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

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

Source: Town Clerk: Special and Annual Town Meeting Minutes, May 6, 2025, and Special Town Meeting Minutes, June 18, 2025 (rev1, PDF) - June 18, 2025 Special Town Meeting part (adjourned to June 23, 2025).

Special Town Meeting · May 6, 2025 4 votes: 4 passed

Sessions: May 6, 2025 (held during the Annual Town Meeting)

Source: Town Clerk: Special and Annual Town Meeting Minutes, May 6, 2025, and Special Town Meeting Minutes, June 18, 2025 (rev1, PDF) - May 6, 2025 Special Town Meeting part.

Annual Town Meeting · May 6, 2025 19 votes: 18 passed, 1 no action

Sessions: May 6, June 18 and June 23, 2025

Source: Town Clerk: Special and Annual Town Meeting Minutes, May 6, 2025, and Special Town Meeting Minutes, June 18, 2025 (rev1, PDF) - Annual Town Meeting part (sessions May 6, June 18 and June 23, 2025).

Special Town Meeting · August 20, 2024 11 votes: 9 passed, 1 failed, 1 no action

Source: Town of Townsend 2024 Annual Town Report: Special Town Meeting Minutes, August 20, 2024, by the Town Clerk (PDF pp. 80-85).

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)

Source: Town of Townsend 2024 Annual Town Report: Annual and Special Town Meeting Minutes, May 7, 2024, by the Town Clerk - Special Town Meeting part (PDF pp. 34-39).

Annual Town Meeting · May 7, 2024 20 votes: 16 passed, 2 failed, 2 no action

Sessions: May 7 and May 9, 2024

Source: Town of Townsend 2024 Annual Town Report: Annual and Special Town Meeting Minutes, May 7, 2024 (reconvened May 9, 2024), by the Town Clerk - Annual Town Meeting part (PDF pp. 38-78).

Special Town Meeting · March 19, 2024 4 votes: 4 passed

Source: Town of Townsend 2024 Annual Town Report: Special Town Meeting Minutes, March 19, 2024, by the Town Clerk (PDF pp. 26-27).

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

Wayne MillerChair · At-large · at 28 of 29 meetingsJoseph Z. ShankClerk · At-large · at 10 of 10 meetings · from Jan 2021

"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: 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.

Thursday, April 22, 2021 · Regular meeting2 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAbsent: Wayne MillerTuesday, March 30, 2021 · Regular meeting10 recorded votes, 3 with disagreementAll 4 members presentTuesday, March 23, 2021 · Special meeting8 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAll 4 members presentTuesday, March 16, 2021 · Regular meeting16 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAll 4 members presentTuesday, March 2, 2021 · Regular meeting11 recorded votes, 4 with disagreementAll 4 members present

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 30Appoint Sheldon Chapman to the Nashoba Regional Technical School…Motion: move that we appoint Sheldon Chapman to the Nashoba Regional Technical…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note

March 30, 2021: Appoint Sheldon Chapman to the Nashoba Regional Technical School Committee for a term beginning April 1, 2021 to 2023

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 3 present

Move that we appoint Sheldon Chapman to the Nashoba Regional Technical School Committee for a term beginning April 1, 2021 to 2023. VK amended the appointment date from April 1, 2020 to March 31,2023. JS seconded. Roil call: Robbins (YES), Templeton (YES), Kell (YES), Miller (YES), Shank (YES), Barrett (YES).

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“move that we appoint Sheldon Chapman to the Nashoba Regional Technical School Committee for a term beginning April 1, 2021 to 2023. VK amended the appointment date from April 1, 2020 to March 31,2023. JS seconded. Roil call: Robbins (YES), Templeton (YES), Kell (YES), Miller (YES), Shank (YES), Barrett (YES)..” (second: Shank)

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

Mar 30Approve the minutes of January 19, 2021 as amended…Motion: W™M moved to approve the minutes of January 19, 2021 as…Passed 2–0 · see note

March 30, 2021: Approve the minutes of January 19, 2021 as amended verbally at the Selectmen's meeting

Approve minutesPassed · 2–0

W™M moved to approve the minutes of January 19, 2021 as amended verbally at the Selectmen's meeting. VK seconded, VK (Yes) WM (Yes)

Yes: Kell, MillerThe roll call lists Veronica Kell and Wayne Miller but not Joseph Z. Shank, who is recorded at the meeting; that member is not shown voting.

From the minutes

“W™M moved to approve the minutes of January 19, 2021 as amended verbally at the Selectmen's meeting. VK seconded, VK (Yes) WM (Yes).” (Motion: Miller, second: Kell)

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

Mar 2Add the Dudley Road project onto the 43D applicationMotion: make a motion to add the Dudley Road project onto the…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note

March 2, 2021: Add the Dudley Road project onto the 43D application

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 3 present

Make a motion to add the Dudley Road project onto the 43D application. WM seconded. Unanimous vote.

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“make a motion to add the Dudley Road project onto the 43D application. WM seconded. Unanimous vote..” (second: Miller)

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

Mar 2(the minutes do not state the motion)Motion: JS that we appoint Chief James Jay Sartell as the alternate…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note

March 2, 2021: (the minutes do not state the motion)

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 3 present

JS that we appoint Chief James Jay Sartell as the alternate to the Admin Board at the Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch District. WM seconded. Unanimous vote.

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“JS that we appoint Chief James Jay Sartell as the alternate to the Admin Board at the Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch District. WM seconded. Unanimous vote..” (second: Miller)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Mar 2Appoint Jason Murray as an Associate Member to the…Motion: make a motion to appoint Jason Murray as an Associate Member…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note

March 2, 2021: Appoint Jason Murray as an Associate Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term effective March 2, 2021 to June 30, 2021

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 3 present

Make a motion to appoint Jason Murray as an Associate Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term effective March 2, 2021 to June 30, 2021. WM seconded. Unanimous vote.

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“make a motion to appoint Jason Murray as an Associate Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term effective March 2, 2021 to June 30, 2021. WM seconded. Unanimous vote..” (second: Miller)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Feb 23Have the Chair Veronica to work on the objective…Motion: make a motion that we have the Chair Veronica to work…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note

February 23, 2021 (Special meeting): Have the Chair Veronica to work on the objective and goals with Jim and have them be acceptable and brought back to us

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 3 present

Make a motion that we have the Chair Veronica to work on the objective and goals with Jim and have them be acceptable and brought back to us. WM seconded. Unanimous vote.

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“make a motion that we have the Chair Veronica to work on the objective and goals with Jim and have them be acceptable and brought back to us. WM seconded. Unanimous vote..” (second: Miller)

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

Feb 16Move forward with the Share Streets and Spaces grant…Motion: make a motion that we move forward with the Share Streets…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note

February 16, 2021: Move forward with the Share Streets and Spaces grant and apply out of signature

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 3 present

Make a motion that we move forward with the Share Streets and Spaces grant and apply out of signature. WM seconded. WM asked if the abutters do not want this will it change the terms of the grant. VK commented if the town does implement any part of the grant in the application the funds will go back to the State. VK to speak with the Fire Chief regarding Jefts Street. Unanimous vote.

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“make a motion that we move forward with the Share Streets and Spaces grant and apply out of signature. WM seconded. WM asked if the abutters do not want this will it change the terms of the grant. VK commented if the town does implement any part of the grant in the application the funds will go back to the State. VK to speak with the Fire Chief regarding Jefts Street. Unanimous vote..” (second: Miller)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Jan 28(the minutes do not state the motion)Motion: 21{a)(2) To conduct strategy sessions in pteparation for negotiations with nonunion…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note

January 28, 2021 (Special meeting): (the minutes do not state the motion)

Approve minutesPassed · Unanimous, 3 present

21{a)(2) To conduct strategy sessions in pteparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or te conduct collective bargaining Selectmen's Meeting Minutes for January 28, 2021 2 sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, Treasurer Collector and we will not return out of executive session. VK seconded. WM (YES) VK (YES) and JS (YES)

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“21{a)(2) To conduct strategy sessions in pteparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or te conduct collective bargaining Selectmen's Meeting Minutes for January 28, 2021 2 sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, Treasurer Collector and we will not return out of executive session. VK seconded. WM (YES) VK (YES) and JS (YES).” (second: Kell)

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

Nov 23Accept the minutes June 23, 2020 and release with…Motion: VK moved to accept the minutes June 23, 2020 and release…Passed 1–0 · Abstained: Kell

November 23, 2020 (Joint meeting): Accept the minutes June 23, 2020 and release with the redactions of the Town Administrator section

Approve minutesPassed · 1–0

VK moved to accept the minutes June 23, 2020 and release with the redactions of the Town Administrator section. WM seconded. VK edited WY to WM. VK abstained. WM (YES)

Yes: MillerAbstained: Kell

From the minutes

“VK moved to accept the minutes June 23, 2020 and release with the redactions of the Town Administrator section. WM seconded. VK edited WY to WM. VK abstained. WM (YES).” (Motion: Kell, second: Miller)

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

Nov 17Review and sign the bills payable warrant out of…Motion: 5.5 The Board moved to review and sign the bills payable…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · see note

November 17, 2020: Review and sign the bills payable warrant out of session

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 2 present

5.5 The Board moved to review and sign the bills payable warrant out of session. WM seconded. Unanimous vote.

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“5.5 The Board moved to review and sign the bills payable warrant out of session. WM seconded. Unanimous vote..” (second: Miller)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

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.

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