MassVoter.com← Townsend Select BoardTownsend 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
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Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2023–2024 Board
On split votes, Shank voted the same way as…
- Chaz Sexton-Diranian100% (5 of 5)
- Theresa A. Morse0% (0 of 5)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2023–2024 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 24 of 24 Select Board meetings in 2023–2024 Board.
Missed none.
Every meeting (24)
- Apr 16, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Feb 20, 2024 · Joint: Present
- Feb 6, 2024 · Joint: Present
- Jan 24, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Jan 23, 2024 · Joint: Present
- Jan 9, 2024 · Joint: Present
- Dec 20, 2023 · Special: Present
- Dec 5, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Nov 28, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Nov 14, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Oct 3, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Sep 26, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Sep 19, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Sep 5, 2023 · Joint: Present
- Aug 29, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Aug 22, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Aug 1, 2023 · Joint: Present
- Jul 25, 2023 · Joint: Present
- Jul 11, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 28, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 20, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 8, 2023 · Regular: Present
- May 16, 2023 · Joint: Present
- May 2, 2023 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2023–2024 Board
Apr 16Exempt the local election to exempt from the vote…Motion: Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph…Passed 2–1 · Shank: Yes
April 16, 2024: Exempt the local election to exempt from the vote by mail requirements
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to exempt the local election to exempt from the vote by mail requirements. Short Discussion as to why this is necessary, due to cost savings for this one specific election as it was not budgeted in for the Town Clerks budget. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse no.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Sexton-Diranian, ShankNo: Morse
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to exempt the local election to exempt from the vote by mail requirements. Short Discussion as to why this is necessary, due to cost savings for this one specific election as it was not budgeted in for the Town Clerks budget. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse no..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Apr 16Approve the agreement for Greenville Road Landfill with Weston…Motion: Motion was made by 'Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Shank: Yes
April 16, 2024: Approve the agreement for Greenville Road Landfill with Weston & Sampson Engineers Inc
Motion was made by 'Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to approve the agreement for Greenville Road Landfill with Weston & Sampson Engineers Inc. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by 'Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to approve the agreement for Greenville Road Landfill with Weston & Sampson Engineers Inc. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (second: Shank)
Apr 16Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out…Motion: Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph…Passed 2–0 · Shank: Not recorded
April 16, 2024: Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes and Theresa A. Morse yes.
Yes: Morse, Sexton-DiranianThe roll call lists Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Theresa A. Morse but not Joseph Z. Shank, who is recorded at the meeting; that member is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes and Theresa A. Morse yes..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Jan 23Exercise the opt- out of vote by mail for…Motion: Motion was made by Chaz Sexton- Diranian and seconded by Theresa…Passed 2–1 · Shank: Yes
January 23, 2024 (Joint meeting): Exercise the opt- out of vote by mail for Local Elections
Motion was made by Chaz Sexton- Diranian and seconded by Theresa A. Morse to exercise the opt- out of vote by mail for Local Elections. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse no.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Sexton-Diranian, ShankNo: Morse
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Chaz Sexton- Diranian and seconded by Theresa A. Morse to exercise the opt- out of vote by mail for Local Elections. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse no..” (Motion: Sexton-Diranian, second: Morse)
Jan 9Approve the Townsend Flag Policy as writtenMotion: Motion was made by Theresa Ais Morse and seconded by Joseph…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Shank: Yes
January 9, 2024 (Joint meeting): Approve the Townsend Flag Policy as written
Motion was made by Theresa Ais Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to approve the Townsend Flag Policy as written. Motion was passed with roll call vote Chaz Sexton- Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa Ais Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to approve the Townsend Flag Policy as written. Motion was passed with roll call vote Chaz Sexton- Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (second: Shank)
Jan 9Approve a 2% COLA for non-union employeesMotion: Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Chaz…Passed 2–0 · Shank: Not recorded
January 9, 2024 (Joint meeting): Approve a 2% COLA for non-union employees
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Chaz Sexton- Diranian to approve a 2% COLA for non-union employees. Motion was passed with roll call vote Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Theresa A Morse yes
Yes: Morse, Sexton-DiranianThe roll call lists Chaz Sexton-Diranian and Theresa A. Morse but not Joseph Z. Shank, who is recorded at the meeting; that member is not shown voting.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Chaz Sexton- Diranian to approve a 2% COLA for non-union employees. Motion was passed with roll call vote Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Theresa A Morse yes.” (Motion: Morse, second: Sexton-Diranian)
Nov 28Cemetery and Parks Department effective 11/28/2023Motion: Motion was made to appoint John James as part-time intermittent season…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Shank: Yes
November 28, 2023: Cemetery and Parks Department effective 11/28/2023
Motion was made to appoint John James as part-time intermittent season laborer to Cemetery and Parks Department effective 11/28/2023. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to appoint John James as part-time intermittent season laborer to Cemetery and Parks Department effective 11/28/2023. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..”
Nov 14Review/Approve increase in Recreation Revolving Fund limit to $100,000Motion: Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph…Passed 2–1 · Shank: Yes
November 14, 2023: Review/Approve increase in Recreation Revolving Fund limit to $100,000
Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to Review/Approve increase in Recreation Revolving Fund limit to $100,000. Short discussion and explanation why it was necessary, since the time the limit was set the programs and recreation department have gotten bigger and revenues and expenses have increased. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse no None 1.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Sexton-Diranian, ShankNo: Morse
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Theresa A. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to Review/Approve increase in Recreation Revolving Fund limit to $100,000. Short discussion and explanation why it was necessary, since the time the limit was set the programs and recreation department have gotten bigger and revenues and expenses have increased. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse no None 1..” (Motion: Morse, second: Shank)
Nov 14(the minutes do not state the motion)Motion: by Theresa A. Morse seconded by Joseph Z. Shank. Theresa A.…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Shank: Yes
November 14, 2023: (the minutes do not state the motion)
By Theresa A. Morse seconded by Joseph Z. Shank. Theresa A. Morse yes, Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes and Joseph Z. Shank yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“by Theresa A. Morse seconded by Joseph Z. Shank. Theresa A. Morse yes, Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes and Joseph Z. Shank yes..” (second: Morse)
Sep 26Payable warrants out of session. review and sign payroll…Motion: Motion was made by TheresaA. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z.…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · Shank: Yes
September 26, 2023: Payable warrants out of session. review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Motion was made by TheresaA. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to payable warrants out of session. review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by TheresaA. Morse and seconded by Joseph Z. Shank to payable warrants out of session. review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with Chaz Sexton-Diranian yes, Joseph Z. Shank yes, Theresa A. Morse yes..” (second: Shank)
Votes with no disagreement (220)
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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