MassVoter.com← Wareham Select BoardWareham Former Select Board member
Ronald S. Besse
Elected townwide · 3 terms in this record
Ronald Besse
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Record at a glance · 2022–2023 Board
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2022–2023 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Besse 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 11 of 12 Select Board meetings in 2022–2023 Board.
Missed
- Mar 16, 2023 · Joint: Absent
Every meeting (12)
- Jul 11, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jun 6, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Apr 24, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Apr 11, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Apr 4, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Mar 16, 2023 · Joint: Absent
- Mar 14, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Mar 7, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Feb 21, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Feb 7, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jan 17, 2023 · Regular: Present
- Jan 3, 2023 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2022–2023 Board
Jul 11Recommend favorable action on Article 1- Construction cost for…Motion: to recommend favorable action on Article 1- Construction cost for WPCF…Failed 2–3 · Besse: No
July 11, 2023: Recommend favorable action on Article 1- Construction cost for WPCF Projects clarifier and headwork's upgrade
To recommend favorable action on Article 1- Construction cost for WPCF Projects clarifier and headwork's upgrade
Voted: No
Yes: Whiteside, WurtsNo: Besse, Chadwick, Slavin
From the minutes
“MOTION: Ms. Wurts made a motion to recommend favorable action on Article 1- Construction cost for WPCF Projects clarifier and headwork's upgrade. Mr. Besse seconded. Roll call: Mr. Slavin-no, Mr. Chadwick-no, Mr. Besse-no, Ms. Wurts-yes, Ms. Whiteside-yes. VOTE: 2-3-0.” (Motion: Wurts, second: Besse)
Jul 11Recommend favorable action on resend Article 15-2022 Spring Town…Motion: to recommend favorable action on resend Article 15-2022 Spring Town MeetingFailed 0–5 · Besse: No
July 11, 2023: Recommend favorable action on resend Article 15-2022 Spring Town Meeting
To recommend favorable action on resend Article 15-2022 Spring Town Meeting
Voted: No
No: Besse, Chadwick, Slavin, Whiteside, WurtsThe minutes call this vote unanimous but record 0-5-0.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Ms. Wurts made a motion to recommend favorable action on resend Article 15-2022 Spring Town Meeting. Mr. Besse seconded. Roll call: Mr. Chadwick-no, Mr. Slavin-no, Mr. Besse-no, Ms. Wurts-no, Ms. Whiteside-no. VOTE: 0-5-0 (Unanimous).” (Motion: Wurts, second: Besse)
Jul 11Recommend favorable action on Article 3- Engineering plans Swifts…Motion: to recommend favorable action on Article 3- Engineering plans Swifts Beach…Failed 0–4 · Besse: No
July 11, 2023: Recommend favorable action on Article 3- Engineering plans Swifts Beach into Ruggle's pump station
To recommend favorable action on Article 3- Engineering plans Swifts Beach into Ruggle's pump station
Voted: No
No: Besse, Chadwick, Whiteside, WurtsAbstained: SlavinThe roll call lists Judith Whiteside without a vote; the minutes record the vote as 0-4-1 (Mr. Slavin abstained), so this member is shown as voting no.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Ms. Wurts made a motion to recommend favorable action on Article 3- Engineering plans Swifts Beach into Ruggle's pump station. Mr. Besse seconded. Roll call: Ms. Wurts-no, Mr. Besse-no, Mr. Chadwick-no, Mr. Slavin-abstained, Ms. Whiteside VOTE: 0-4-1 (Mr. Slavin abstained).” (Motion: Wurts, second: Besse)
Jul 11Recommend favorable action on Article 4- Transfer of retained…Motion: to recommend favorable action on Article 4- Transfer of retained earningsFailed 0–4 · Besse: No
July 11, 2023: Recommend favorable action on Article 4- Transfer of retained earnings
To recommend favorable action on Article 4- Transfer of retained earnings
Voted: No
No: Besse, Chadwick, Whiteside, WurtsAbstained: Slavin
From the minutes
“MOTION: Ms. Wurts made a motion to recommend favorable action on Article 4- Transfer of retained earnings. Mr. Besse seconded. Roll call: Mr. Chadwick-no, Mr. Besse-no, Ms. Wurts-no, Mr. Slavin-abstained, Ms. Whiteside-no. VOTE: 0-4-1 (Mr. Slavin abstained).” (Motion: Wurts, second: Besse)
Jul 11Recommend favorable action on Article 5- Amend Article 15,…Motion: to recommend favorable action on Article 5- Amend Article 15, 2022…Passed 4–0 · Besse: Yes
July 11, 2023: Recommend favorable action on Article 5- Amend Article 15, 2022 Spring Town Meeting
To recommend favorable action on Article 5- Amend Article 15, 2022 Spring Town Meeting
Voted: Yes
Yes: Besse, Chadwick, Whiteside, WurtsAbstained: Slavin
From the minutes
“MOTION: Ms. Wurts made a motion to recommend favorable action on Article 5- Amend Article 15, 2022 Spring Town Meeting. Mr. Besse seconded. Roll call: Mr. Chadwick-yes, Ms. Wurts-yes, Mr. Besse-yes, Mr. Slavin-abstained, Ms. Whiteside-yes. VOTE: 4-0-1 (Mr. Slavin abstained).” (Motion: Wurts, second: Besse)
Jun 6Appoint Ms. Whiteside and Mr. Besse to the Wareham…Motion: to appoint Ms. Whiteside and Mr. Besse to the Wareham Redevelopment…Passed 3–0 · Besse: Not recorded
June 6, 2023: Appoint Ms. Whiteside and Mr. Besse to the Wareham Redevelopment Authority, terms to expire May, 2024
To appoint Ms. Whiteside and Mr. Besse to the Wareham Redevelopment Authority, terms to expire May, 2024
The minutes give the result as "3-0-2 (Mr. Besse and Ms. Whiteside abstained)", but the roll call reads: Jared S. Chadwick yes, Alan H. Slavin yes, Patricia A. Wurts yes, Ronald S. Besse no, Judith Whiteside no. The names and the count do not match, so individual votes are not shown.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Ms. Wurts made a motion to appoint Ms. Whiteside and Mr. Besse to the Wareham Redevelopment Authority, terms to expire May, 2024. Mr. Besse seconded. Roll call: Mr. Chadwick-yes, Mr. Slavin-yes, Ms. Wurts-yes, Mr. Besse- no, Ms. Whiteside-no. VOTE: 3-0-2 (Mr. Besse and Ms. Whiteside abstained).” (Motion: Wurts, second: Besse)
Apr 4Close the evidence part of the hearingMotion: to close the evidence part of the hearingPassed 4–0 · Besse: Yes
April 4, 2023: Close the evidence part of the hearing
To close the evidence part of the hearing
Voted: Yes
Yes: Besse, Chadwick, Slavin, WhitesideThe roll call does not list Patricia A. Wurts, who was present.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Mr. Chadwick made a motion to close the evidence part of the hearing. Mr. Besse seconded. Roll call: Mr. Besse-yes, Mr. Slavin-yes, Mr. Chadwick-yes, Ms. Whiteside-yes VOTE: 4-0-0 (Unanimous).” (Motion: Chadwick, second: Besse)
Apr 4Include recommendations 1-4 presented to the BoardMotion: to include recommendations 1-4 presented to the BoardPassed 4–0 · Besse: Yes
April 4, 2023: Include recommendations 1-4 presented to the Board
To include recommendations 1-4 presented to the Board
Voted: Yes
Yes: Besse, Chadwick, Slavin, WhitesideThe roll call does not list Patricia A. Wurts, who was present.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Mr. Slavin made a motion to include recommendations 1-4 presented to the Board. Mr. Chadwick seconded. Roll call: Roll call: Mr. Besse-yes, Mr. Slavin-yes, Mr. Chadwick-yes, Ms. Whiteside-yes. VOTE: 4-0-0 (Unanimous).” (Motion: Slavin, second: Chadwick)
Apr 4Mr. Slavin is appointed as SRPEDD commission representative for…Motion: Mr. Slavin is appointed as SRPEDD commission representative for 2023-2024 yearPassed 4–0 · Besse: Yes
April 4, 2023: Mr. Slavin is appointed as SRPEDD commission representative for 2023-2024 year
Mr. Slavin is appointed as SRPEDD commission representative for 2023-2024 year
Voted: Yes
Yes: Besse, Chadwick, Whiteside, WurtsAbstained: Slavin
From the minutes
“MOTION: Ms. Wurts made a motion that Mr. Slavin is appointed as SRPEDD commission representative for 2023-2024 year. Mr. Besse seconded. Roll call: Mr. Besse-yes, Mr.Slavin-abstain, Mr. Chadwick-yes, Ms. Wurts-yes, Ms. Whiteside-yes VOTE: 4-0-1 (Slavin).” (Motion: Wurts, second: Besse)
Mar 14Recommend favorable action on the WPCF Enterprise Fund article…Motion: to recommend favorable action on the WPCF Enterprise Fund article (Article…Passed 4–0 · Besse: Yes
March 14, 2023: Recommend favorable action on the WPCF Enterprise Fund article (Article 10) for the 2023 Annual Spring Town Meeting Warrant
To recommend favorable action on the WPCF Enterprise Fund article (Article 10) for the 2023 Annual Spring Town Meeting Warrant
Voted: Yes
Yes: Besse, Chadwick, Whiteside, WurtsAbstained: Slavin
From the minutes
“MOTION: Ms. Wurts recommended favorable action on the WPCF Enterprise Fund article (Article 10) for the 2023 Annual Spring Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Besse seconded. Roll Call: Mr. Besse-yes, Mr. Chadwick-yes, Mr. Slavin-abstained, Ms. Wurts-yes, Ms. Whiteside-yes. VOTE: 4-0-1 (Mr. Slavin abstained).” (Motion: Wurts, second: Besse)
Votes with no disagreement (80)
From the Wareham Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos of current members: Wareham Week candidate profiles (Jared Chadwick and Joseph Still 2025; Marcus Gomes 2025; Sarah Corbitt and Judith Whiteside 2026). Former members show initials.
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