← Townsend Select Board

Townsend Former Select Board member

Joseph Z. Shank

At-large · 4 terms in this record

Joe Shank

A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.

Board years

2024–2025 Board2023–2024 Board2021–2022 Board2020–2021 Board
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2021–2022 Board

32 of 37meetings attended (86%) · whole board 95%
277votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
2no votes (<1% of votes cast) · whole board <1%
1 of 1split votes where Shank was in the minority
5abstained
4terms in this record
How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2021–2022 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Shank as present or absent at the start.
  • Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
  • Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
  • A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
  • “Whole board” combines every member’s record for the same term.

These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.

Attendance

At the start of 32 of 37 Select Board meetings in 2021–2022 Board.

Missed

Every meeting (37)

Votes where members disagreed · 2021–2022 Board

Apr 5Approve the minutes of 2/2/2022Motion: motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell…Passed 2–0 · Shank: Abstained

April 5, 2022: Approve the minutes of 2/2/2022

Approve minutesPassed · 2–0

Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell to approve the minutes of 2/2/2022. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell in favor; Joe Shank abstaining.

Voted: Abstained

Yes: Kell, Sexton-DiranianAbstained: Shank

From the minutes

“motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell to approve the minutes of 2/2/2022. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell in favor; Joe Shank abstaining..” (Motion: Sexton-Diranian, second: Kell)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Apr 5Approve the minutes of 2/14/2022Motion: motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell…Passed 2–0 · Shank: Abstained

April 5, 2022: Approve the minutes of 2/14/2022

Approve minutesPassed · 2–0

Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell to approve the minutes of 2/14/2022. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell in favor; Joe Shank abstaining.

Voted: Abstained

Yes: Kell, Sexton-DiranianAbstained: Shank

From the minutes

“motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell to approve the minutes of 2/14/2022. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell in favor; Joe Shank abstaining..” (Motion: Sexton-Diranian, second: Kell)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Apr 5Appoint Sabrina Moore as Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard…Motion: Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell…Passed 2–0 · Shank: Abstained

April 5, 2022: Appoint Sabrina Moore as Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard and the Town Administrator contingent upon a CORI check and pre-employment physical with a one-year probationary period

AppointPassed · 2–0

Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell to appoint Sabrina Moore as Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard and the Town Administrator contingent upon a CORI check and pre-employment physical with a one-year probationary period. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell both voting yes and Joe Shank abstaining.

Voted: Abstained

Yes: Kell, Sexton-DiranianAbstained: Shank

From the minutes

“Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell to appoint Sabrina Moore as Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard and the Town Administrator contingent upon a CORI check and pre-employment physical with a one-year probationary period. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell both voting yes and Joe Shank abstaining..” (Motion: Sexton-Diranian, second: Kell)

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

Mar 15Accept the petition for private roads Harbor Trace and…Motion: motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank…Failed 0–3 · Shank: No

March 15, 2022: Accept the petition for private roads Harbor Trace and Cooperate Way town roads and to notify the Planning Board of such per Ch 175-21 B(2)

ApproveFailed · 0–3

Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank to accept the petition for private roads Harbor Trace and Cooperate Way town roads and to notify the Planning Board of such per Ch 175-21 B(2). Motion failed with roll call vote: Joe Shank- no; Chaz Sexton-Diranian- no; Veronica Kell-no.

Voted: No

No: Kell, Sexton-Diranian, Shank

From the minutes

“motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank to accept the petition for private roads Harbor Trace and Cooperate Way town roads and to notify the Planning Board of such per Ch 175-21 B(2). Motion failed with roll call vote: Joe Shank- no; Chaz Sexton-Diranian- no; Veronica Kell-no..” (Motion: Sexton-Diranian, second: Shank)

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

Mar 1Approve the minutes of 03/23/2021Motion: Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank…Passed 2–0 · Shank: Yes

March 1, 2022: Approve the minutes of 03/23/2021

Approve minutesPassed · 2–0

Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank to approve the minutes of 03/23/2021. Motion passed with Joe Shank and Veronica Kell in favor; Chaz Sexton- Diranian abstain

Voted: Yes

Yes: Kell, ShankAbstained: Sexton-Diranian

From the minutes

“Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank to approve the minutes of 03/23/2021. Motion passed with Joe Shank and Veronica Kell in favor; Chaz Sexton- Diranian abstain.” (Motion: Sexton-Diranian, second: Shank)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Mar 1Approve the minutes of 04/16/2021Motion: Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank…Passed 2–0 · Shank: Yes

March 1, 2022: Approve the minutes of 04/16/2021

Approve minutesPassed · 2–0

Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank to approve the minutes of 04/16/2021. Amendment: add link to meeting recording. Motion passed with Joe Shank and Veronica Kell in favor; Chaz Sexton-Diranian abstain.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Kell, ShankAbstained: Sexton-Diranian

From the minutes

“Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank to approve the minutes of 04/16/2021. Amendment: add link to meeting recording. Motion passed with Joe Shank and Veronica Kell in favor; Chaz Sexton-Diranian abstain..” (Motion: Sexton-Diranian, second: Shank)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Feb 1Accept the UPWP project application letterMotion: motion to accept the UPWP project application letter was made by…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Shank: Yes

February 1, 2022 (Joint meeting): Accept the UPWP project application letter

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 3 present

Motion to accept the UPWP project application letter was made by Carol Hoffses and seconded by Julie Byars. Motion passed with Carol Hoffses, Julie Byars, lan Ortiz and Laura Shifrin all in favor by roll call vote.

Voted: Yes

The minutes do not say who made this motion.

From the minutes

“motion to accept the UPWP project application letter was made by Carol Hoffses and seconded by Julie Byars. Motion passed with Carol Hoffses, Julie Byars, lan Ortiz and Laura Shifrin all in favor by roll call vote..”

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

Feb 1Place a CR on the Squannacook Meadow propertyMotion: Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank…Passed 2–1 · Shank: No

February 1, 2022 (Joint meeting): Place a CR on the Squannacook Meadow property

ApprovePassed · 2–1

Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank to place a CR on the Squannacook Meadow property. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell voting yes and Joe Shank voting no.

Voted: No

Yes: Kell, Sexton-DiranianNo: Shank

From the minutes

“Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Joe Shank to place a CR on the Squannacook Meadow property. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell voting yes and Joe Shank voting no..” (Motion: Sexton-Diranian, second: Shank)

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

Jan 18Sign the GL 268a s. 20d disclosure form submitted…Motion: Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell…Passed 2–0 · Shank: Abstained

January 18, 2022: Sign the GL 268a s. 20d disclosure form submitted by Joe Shank

ApprovePassed · 2–0

Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell to sign the GL 268a s. 20d disclosure form submitted by Joe Shank. Discussion: Joe Shank is the owner of Harbor Auto Body and has done and continues to do towing for town entities. No funds are exchanged between the town and the tow company. There are no contracts in place at the moment. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell in favor and Joe Shank abstaining.

Voted: Abstained

Yes: Kell, Sexton-DiranianAbstained: Shank

From the minutes

“Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell to sign the GL 268a s. 20d disclosure form submitted by Joe Shank. Discussion: Joe Shank is the owner of Harbor Auto Body and has done and continues to do towing for town entities. No funds are exchanged between the town and the tow company. There are no contracts in place at the moment. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell in favor and Joe Shank abstaining..” (Motion: Sexton-Diranian, second: Kell)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Jan 4Approve the minutes of 11/8/2021Motion: Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Shank: Not recorded

January 4, 2022: Approve the minutes of 11/8/2021

Approve minutesPassed · Unanimous, 2 present

Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell to approve the minutes of 11/8/2021. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell in favor. Joe Shank recuse

Joseph Z. Shank did not take part in this vote (“Joe Shank recuse”) and is not shown voting.

From the minutes

“Motion was made by Chaz Sexton-Diranian and seconded by Veronica Kell to approve the minutes of 11/8/2021. Motion passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Veronica Kell in favor. Joe Shank recuse.” (Motion: Sexton-Diranian, second: Kell)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (290)

    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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