← Westford Select Board

Westford Former Select Board member

Mark Kost

At-large · 4 terms in this record

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

Board years

2020–2021 Board2019–2020 Board2018–2019 Board2017–2018 Board
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2020–2021 Board

27 of 31meetings attended (87%) · whole board 94%
222votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
6no votes (3% of votes cast) · whole board <1%
6 of 8split votes where Kost was in the minority · whole board 24%
4abstained
4terms in this record

On split votes, Kost voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2020–2021 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Kost 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 27 of 31 Select Board meetings in 2020–2021 Board.

Missed

Every meeting (31)

Votes where members disagreed · 2020–2021 Board

Apr 27Approve the minutes from the joint meeting of the…Motion: It was moved by SBM Clay, seconded by SBM Hazelton, and…Passed 3–0 · Kost: Abstained

April 27, 2021: Approve the minutes from the joint meeting of the Select Board and the Finance Committee of April 1, 2021

Approve minutesPassed · 3–0

It was moved by SBM Clay, seconded by SBM Hazelton, and VOTED 3 IN FAVOR, 2 ABSTAIN (Peraner-Sweet, Kost) TO APPROVE the minutes from the joint meeting of the Select Board and the Finance Committee of April 1, 2021.

Voted: Abstained

Yes: Clay, Hazelton, Tonakarn-NguyenAbstained: Kost, Peraner-Sweet

From the minutes

“It was moved by SBM Clay, seconded by SBM Hazelton, and VOTED 3 IN FAVOR, 2 ABSTAIN (Peraner-Sweet, Kost) TO APPROVE the minutes from the joint meeting of the Select Board and the Finance Committee of April 1, 2021..” (Motion: Clay, second: Hazelton)

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

Apr 8Allocate $17,750 from the FY22 budget surplus to fund…Motion: It was moved by Clay, seconded by Tonakarn-Nguyen and VOTED 3…Passed 3–1 · Kost: No

April 8, 2021 (Joint meeting): Allocate $17,750 from the FY22 budget surplus to fund the three police hybrid cruisers ($17,750 to be added to FY22 police cruiser line item)

ApprovePassed · 3–1

It was moved by Clay, seconded by Tonakarn-Nguyen and VOTED 3 IN FAVOR (Kost opposed) to allocate $17,750 from the FY22 budget surplus to fund the three police hybrid cruisers ($17,750 to be added to FY22 police cruiser line item).

Voted: No

Yes: Clay, Peraner-Sweet, Tonakarn-NguyenNo: Kost

From the minutes

“It was moved by Clay, seconded by Tonakarn-Nguyen and VOTED 3 IN FAVOR (Kost opposed) to allocate $17,750 from the FY22 budget surplus to fund the three police hybrid cruisers ($17,750 to be added to FY22 police cruiser line item)..” (Motion: Clay, second: Tonakarn-Nguyen)

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

Mar 9Not to pursue purchasing 22 Griffin Road and not…Motion: It was moved by SBM Kost, seconded by SBM Clay, and…Passed 4–1 · Kost: Yes

March 9, 2021: Not to pursue purchasing 22 Griffin Road and not to exercise the right of first refusal

ApprovePassed · 4–1

It was moved by SBM Kost, seconded by SBM Clay, and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 OPPOSED (Hazelton) not to pursue purchasing 22 Griffin Road and not to exercise the right of first refusal.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Clay, Kost, Peraner-Sweet, Tonakarn-NguyenNo: Hazelton

From the minutes

“It was moved by SBM Kost, seconded by SBM Clay, and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 OPPOSED (Hazelton) not to pursue purchasing 22 Griffin Road and not to exercise the right of first refusal..” (Motion: Kost, second: Clay)

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

Jan 26Approve the request to adopt minimum wage increases for…Motion: It was moved by SBM Hazelton, seconded by SBM Clay, and…Passed 4–1 · Kost: No

January 26, 2021: Approve the request to adopt minimum wage increases for municipal employees from $12.75 to $13.50

ApprovePassed · 4–1

It was moved by SBM Hazelton, seconded by SBM Clay, and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 OPPOSED (Kost) TO APPROVE the request to adopt minimum wage increases for municipal employees from $12.75 to $13.50.

Voted: No

Yes: Clay, Hazelton, Peraner-Sweet, Tonakarn-NguyenNo: Kost

From the minutes

“It was moved by SBM Hazelton, seconded by SBM Clay, and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 OPPOSED (Kost) TO APPROVE the request to adopt minimum wage increases for municipal employees from $12.75 to $13.50..” (Motion: Hazelton, second: Clay)

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

Oct 18Not recommend the amendment to Article 24Motion: On a motion made and seconded, it was VOTED 5 IN…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · Kost: Yes

October 18, 2020: Not recommend the amendment to Article 24

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

On a motion made and seconded, it was VOTED 5 IN FAVOR TO NOT RECOMMEND the amendment to Article 24.

Voted: Yes

The minutes say the motion was made and seconded but do not name the mover or seconder.

From the minutes

“On a motion made and seconded, it was VOTED 5 IN FAVOR TO NOT RECOMMEND the amendment to Article 24..”

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

Oct 13Not recommend Article 23Motion: It was moved by Selectman Kost, seconded by Selectman Hazelton and…Passed 4–1 · Kost: Yes

October 13, 2020: Not recommend Article 23

ApprovePassed · 4–1

It was moved by Selectman Kost, seconded by Selectman Hazelton and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 OPPOSED (Tonakarn-Nguyen) TO NOT RECOMMEND Article 23.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Clay, Hazelton, Kost, Peraner-SweetNo: Tonakarn-Nguyen

From the minutes

“It was moved by Selectman Kost, seconded by Selectman Hazelton and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 OPPOSED (Tonakarn-Nguyen) TO NOT RECOMMEND Article 23..” (Motion: Kost, second: Hazelton)

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

Sep 29Recommend Article 11Motion: It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Tonakarn-Nguyen and…Passed 3–2 · Kost: No

September 29, 2020: Recommend Article 11

ApprovePassed · 3–2

It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Tonakarn-Nguyen and VOTED 3 IN FAVOR, 2 OPPOSED (Hazelton, Kost) TO RECOMMEND Article 11.

Voted: No

Yes: Clay, Peraner-Sweet, Tonakarn-NguyenNo: Hazelton, Kost

From the minutes

“It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Tonakarn-Nguyen and VOTED 3 IN FAVOR, 2 OPPOSED (Hazelton, Kost) TO RECOMMEND Article 11..” (Motion: Clay, second: Tonakarn-Nguyen)

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

Sep 29Recommend 14Motion: It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Hazelton and…Passed 4–1 · Kost: No

September 29, 2020: Recommend 14

ApprovePassed · 4–1

It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Hazelton and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 OPPOSED (Kost) TO RECOMMEND 14.

Voted: No

Yes: Clay, Hazelton, Peraner-Sweet, Tonakarn-NguyenNo: Kost

From the minutes

“It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Hazelton and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 OPPOSED (Kost) TO RECOMMEND 14..” (Motion: Clay, second: Hazelton)

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

Aug 25Approve the flag policy as amendedMotion: It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Tonakarn-Nguyen and…Passed 4–0 · Kost: Abstained

August 25, 2020: Approve the flag policy as amended

ApprovePassed · 4–0

It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Tonakarn-Nguyen and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 ABSTAIN (Kost) TO APPROVE the flag policy as amended.

Voted: Abstained

Yes: Clay, Hazelton, Peraner-Sweet, Tonakarn-NguyenAbstained: Kost

From the minutes

“It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Tonakarn-Nguyen and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 ABSTAIN (Kost) TO APPROVE the flag policy as amended..” (Motion: Clay, second: Tonakarn-Nguyen)

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

Jul 28Approve the request from Emily Teller to display the…Motion: It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Hazelton and…Passed 4–0 · Kost: Abstained

July 28, 2020: Approve the request from Emily Teller to display the lights at the police station, old center fire station, the J.V. Fletcher Library, Parish Center for the Arts, and the First…

ApprovePassed · 4–0

It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Hazelton and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 ABSTAIN (Kost)TO APPROVE the request from Emily Teller to display the lights at the police station, old center fire station, the J.V. Fletcher Library, Parish Center for the Arts, and the First Parish Church United, in addition to the trees on the Town Common and the Town Hall from Sunday, August 23, 2020 through Thursday, August 27, 2020, subject to the applicant receiving all parties' approval. Hazelton - yes, Kost - abstain, Clay - yes, Tonakarn-Nguyen - yes, Peraner-Sweet - yes

Voted: Abstained

Yes: Clay, Hazelton, Peraner-Sweet, Tonakarn-NguyenAbstained: Kost

From the minutes

“It was moved by Selectman Clay, seconded by Selectman Hazelton and VOTED 4 IN FAVOR, 1 ABSTAIN (Kost)TO APPROVE the request from Emily Teller to display the lights at the police station, old center fire station, the J.V. Fletcher Library, Parish Center for the Arts, and the First Parish Church United, in addition to the trees on the Town Common and the Town Hall from Sunday, August 23, 2020 through Thursday, August 27, 2020, subject to the applicant receiving all parties' approval. Hazelton - yes, Kost - abstain, Clay - yes, Tonakarn-Nguyen - yes, Peraner-Sweet - yes.” (Motion: Clay, second: Hazelton)

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

Votes with no disagreement (220)

    From the Westford Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s document archive (“View all meeting minutes” on the Select Board page) and, for recent meetings, its Agenda Center. 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 only an unnamed group photo): League of Women Voters of Westford Voters’ Guides — Chris Barrett, Tom Clay and Elizabeth Sawyer (2026); Sean Kelly and Noëlle Donovan (2025). Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.

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