MassVoter.com← Townsend Select Board
Townsend Vice-Chair
Laura Shifrin
At-large · 3 terms in this record
Laura E. Shifrin
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Board years
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Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2024–2025 Board
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2024–2025 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Shifrin 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.
In the news
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Attendance
At the start of 28 of 28 Select Board meetings in 2024–2025 Board.
Missed none.
Every meeting (28)
- Apr 16, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Apr 15, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Apr 9, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Apr 8, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Apr 1, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Mar 24, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Mar 19, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Mar 18, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Mar 11, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Mar 10, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Mar 4, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Mar 1, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Feb 27, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Feb 25, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Feb 20, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Feb 18, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Feb 13, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Feb 11, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Feb 4, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Jan 30, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Jan 28, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jan 21, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Jan 14, 2025 · Joint: Present
- Jan 7, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Dec 17, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Dec 12, 2024 · Special: Present
- Dec 3, 2024 · Regular: Present
- Nov 19, 2024 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2024–2025 Board
Apr 8(the minutes do not state the motion)Motion: Motion was made to approve Tavern 13 request for a One-…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Shifrin: Yes
April 8, 2025: (the minutes do not state the motion)
Motion was made to approve Tavern 13 request for a One- Day Special License (Alcohol) for a '""Mother's Day Market" event Birchhouse Botanicals on 05/10/2025 from 11AM- 3PM. Motion was passed with Laura Shiftin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to approve Tavern 13 request for a One- Day Special License (Alcohol) for a '""Mother's Day Market" event Birchhouse Botanicals on 05/10/2025 from 11AM- 3PM. Motion was passed with Laura Shiftin yes, Veronica Kell yes..”
Apr 1Designate Nelson Mui, Town Administrator, as a signatory on…Motion: Motion was made by Veroncia Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Shifrin: Yes
April 1, 2025: Designate Nelson Mui, Town Administrator, as a signatory on the contract with Kimley Horn to provide design and engineering services for the Kids Kountry Playground project
Motion was made by Veroncia Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to designate Nelson Mui, Town Administrator, as a signatory on the contract with Kimley Horn to provide design and engineering services for the Kids Kountry Playground project. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veroncia Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to designate Nelson Mui, Town Administrator, as a signatory on the contract with Kimley Horn to provide design and engineering services for the Kids Kountry Playground project. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (second: Shifrin)
Mar 24Pursuant to G.L. c. 59, § 21C(g), the Board…Motion: Motion was made by Veroncia Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Shifrin: Yes
March 24, 2025: Pursuant to G.L. c. 59, § 21C(g), the Board place a Proposition 2' override question on the regular municipal election ballot for April 28, 2025, in the following form: Shall…
Motion was made by Veroncia Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin that pursuant to G.L. c. 59, § 21C(g), the Board place a Proposition 2' override question on the regular municipal election ballot for April 28, 2025, in the following form: Shall the Town of Townsend be allowed to assess an additional $625,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the operating budgets of the Town and the Public Schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025? Motion was passed with a roll call vote Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veroncia Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin that pursuant to G.L. c. 59, § 21C(g), the Board place a Proposition 2' override question on the regular municipal election ballot for April 28, 2025, in the following form: Shall the Town of Townsend be allowed to assess an additional $625,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the operating budgets of the Town and the Public Schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025? Motion was passed with a roll call vote Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (second: Shifrin)
Mar 4Submit a letter on behalf of the Selectboard in…Motion: Motion was made to direct the Town Administrator to submit a…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Shifrin: Yes
March 4, 2025 (Joint meeting): Submit a letter on behalf of the Selectboard in favor of extending the remote Public Meeting options
Motion was made to direct the Town Administrator to submit a letter on behalf of the Selectboard in favor of extending the remote Public Meeting options. Motion was passed with Veronica Kell yes, Laura Shifrin yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made to direct the Town Administrator to submit a letter on behalf of the Selectboard in favor of extending the remote Public Meeting options. Motion was passed with Veronica Kell yes, Laura Shifrin yes..”
Mar 4Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out…Motion: Motion was made by Veronica [Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Shifrin: Yes
March 4, 2025 (Joint meeting): Review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session
Motion was made by Veronica [Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with J].aura Shiftin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Veronica [Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Motion was passed with J].aura Shiftin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (second: Shifrin)
Feb 18Approve the mecung minutes of 1/28/2025 and (1/30/2025Motion: Addinions: None Deletions: Note Monon was made by Vcrontea Kell and…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Shifrin: Yes
February 18, 2025 (Joint meeting): Approve the mecung minutes of 1/28/2025 and (1/30/2025
Addinions: None Deletions: Note Monon was made by Vcrontea Kell and seconded by Laura Shifan to approve the mecung minutes of 1/28/2025 and (1/30/2025 . Motion was passed! with roll call vore Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Addinions: None Deletions: Note Monon was made by Vcrontea Kell and seconded by Laura Shifan to approve the mecung minutes of 1/28/2025 and (1/30/2025 . Motion was passed! with roll call vore Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.” (second: Shifrin)
Feb 18Grant signatory authority to Nelson Mur Town \dinisirator to…Motion: The contract should be amended Morton was amended by Veronica Kell…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Shifrin: Yes
February 18, 2025 (Joint meeting): Grant signatory authority to Nelson Mur Town \dinisirator to stgi a contract with Namiley-Plorn te perform surveying work on the Kids Kountry Playground project
The contract should be amended Morton was amended by Veronica Kell and seconded by | aaura Shetrin to grant signatory authority to Nelson Mur Town \dinisirator to stgi a contract with Namiley-Plorn te perform surveying work on the Kids Kountry Playground project. Motion was passed with roll call vote Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell ves.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“The contract should be amended Morton was amended by Veronica Kell and seconded by | aaura Shetrin to grant signatory authority to Nelson Mur Town \dinisirator to stgi a contract with Namiley-Plorn te perform surveying work on the Kids Kountry Playground project. Motion was passed with roll call vote Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell ves..”
Feb 4Appolnt Robert Vempleton as Vownsend Alternate to the Nashua…Motion: Motion was made by Verontea Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Shifrin: Yes
February 4, 2025 (Joint meeting): Appolnt Robert Vempleton as Vownsend Alternate to the Nashua Rivers Wild & Scenic Stewardship Council effective 02/04/2025 as an alternate member for term to expire 06/30/2027
Motion was made by Verontea Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to appolnt Robert Vempleton as Vownsend Alternate to the Nashua Rivers Wild & Scenic Stewardship Council effective 02/04/2025 as an alternate member for term to expire 06/30/2027. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion was made by Verontea Kell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to appolnt Robert Vempleton as Vownsend Alternate to the Nashua Rivers Wild & Scenic Stewardship Council effective 02/04/2025 as an alternate member for term to expire 06/30/2027. Motion was passed with Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kell yes..” (second: Shifrin)
Feb 4Approve the contract for the $100,000 PARC grant for…Motion: Mouon was madg by Veronica Nell and seconded by Laura Shifrin…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Shifrin: Yes
February 4, 2025 (Joint meeting): Approve the contract for the $100,000 PARC grant for the Kids Kountry Playground and authorize Town Administrator Nelson Mui as signatory on behalf of the Selectboard
Mouon was madg by Veronica Nell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to approve the contract for the $100,000 PARC grant for the Kids Kountry Playground and authorize Town Administrator Nelson Mui as signatory on behalf of the Selectboard. Motion was passed with Veronica Kell yes, Laura Shifrin yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Mouon was madg by Veronica Nell and seconded by Laura Shifrin to approve the contract for the $100,000 PARC grant for the Kids Kountry Playground and authorize Town Administrator Nelson Mui as signatory on behalf of the Selectboard. Motion was passed with Veronica Kell yes, Laura Shifrin yes..” (second: Shifrin)
Jan 21Take 2 short break to reboot the computer in…Motion: motion was made by Veronic2 Kell and seconded by Leura Shifrin…Passed Unanimous, 2 present · Shifrin: Yes
January 21, 2025: Take 2 short break to reboot the computer in the Selectmen Chambers to fix technical issues
Motion was made by Veronic2 Kell and seconded by Leura Shifrin to take 2 short break to reboot the computer in the Selectmen Chambers to fix technical issues. Motion was passec with cll call vere Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kel! yes.
Voted: Yes
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“motion was made by Veronic2 Kell and seconded by Leura Shifrin to take 2 short break to reboot the computer in the Selectmen Chambers to fix technical issues. Motion was passec with cll call vere Laura Shifrin yes, Veronica Kel! yes..”
Votes with no disagreement (145)
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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