MassVoter.com← Westport Select BoardWestport Former Select Board Member
Manuel Soares, Jr.
Elected townwide · 3 terms in this record
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Your Westport ballot: 16 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2025–2026 Board
On split votes, Soares voted the same way as…
- Jake McGuigan44% (4 of 9)
- Richard W. Brewer33% (3 of 9)
- Craig J. Dutra22% (2 of 9)
- Shana Teas11% (1 of 9)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2025–2026 Board only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Soares 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 7 of 18 Select Board meetings in 2025–2026 Board.
Missed
- Apr 6, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Mar 23, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Mar 9, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Feb 26, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Nov 17, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Nov 3, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 20, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 6, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 22, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 8, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Aug 18, 2025 · Regular: Absent
Every meeting (18)
- Apr 6, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Mar 23, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Mar 9, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Feb 26, 2026 · Regular: Absent
- Feb 22, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Feb 9, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Jan 5, 2026 · Regular: Present
- Dec 15, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Dec 1, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Nov 17, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Nov 3, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 20, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Oct 6, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 22, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Sep 8, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Aug 18, 2025 · Regular: Absent
- Apr 28, 2025 · Regular: Present
- Apr 14, 2025 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2025–2026 Board
Apr 6Project Communication and Updates Eversource shall provide timely updates…Motion: to approve the manhole petition on Hix Bridge Road with conditions…Passed 2–1 · Soares: Absent
April 6, 2026 · Item f: Project Communication and Updates Eversource shall provide timely updates to the Town regarding: e Project timeline changes e Road closures or lane restrictions e Delays or other impacts
To approve the manhole petition on Hix Bridge Road with conditions listed
Voted: Absent
Yes: Brewer, TeasNo: McGuiganAbsent: Dutra, Soares
From the minutes
“ACTION: After a motion was made by Richard Brewer and seconded by Shana Teas it was voted 2-1-0 (Mr. McGuigan opposed, Mr. Soares & Mr. Dutra absent) to approve the manhole petition on Hix Bridge Road with conditions listed.” (Motion: Brewer, second: Teas)
Apr 6Request from Town Clerk, Kristin Stinson to appoint the…Motion: to approve the appointments of the listed individuals to Election WorkersPassed 2–0 · Soares: Absent
April 6, 2026 · Item e: Request from Town Clerk, Kristin Stinson to appoint the following individuals as Election Workers, terms to expire June 30, 2027
To approve the appointments of the listed individuals to Election Workers
Voted: Absent
Yes: Brewer, McGuiganAbstained: TeasAbsent: Dutra, Soares
From the minutes
“ACTION: After a motion was made by Jake McGuigan and seconded by Richard Brewer it was voted 2-0-1 (Ms. Teas abstained, Mr. Soares & Mr. Dutra absent) to approve the appointments of the listed individuals to Election Workers.” (Motion: McGuigan, second: Brewer)
Apr 6Request to open the Annual Town Meeting Warrant to…Motion: to reopen the Town Meeting warrant and add the Francis Estates…Passed 2–0 · Soares: Absent
April 6, 2026 · Item h: Request to open the Annual Town Meeting Warrant to consider additional articles
To reopen the Town Meeting warrant and add the Francis Estates easement article at the end of the warrant, without renumbering existing articles
Voted: Absent
Yes: Brewer, TeasAbstained: McGuiganAbsent: Dutra, Soares
From the minutes
“ACTION: After a motion was made by Richard Brewer and seconded by Shana Teas it was voted 2-0-1 (Mr. McGuigan abstained, Mr. Soares & Mr. Dutra absent) to reopen the Town Meeting warrant and add the Francis Estates easement article at the end of the warrant, without renumbering existing articles.” (Motion: Brewer, second: Teas)
Apr 6Discussion emphasized balancing, accountability of elected officials, avoiding excessive…Motion: to reopen the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and add the recall…Passed 2–1 · Soares: Absent
April 6, 2026 · Item c: Discussion emphasized balancing, accountability of elected officials, avoiding excessive or disruptive recall efforts, costs and impacts of elections
To reopen the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and add the recall bylaw amendment article (Option 1) without renumbering existing articles
Voted: Absent
Yes: McGuigan, TeasNo: BrewerAbsent: Dutra, Soares
From the minutes
“ACTION: After a motion was made by Jake McGuigan and seconded by Shana Teas it was voted 2-1-0 (Mr. Brewer opposed, Mr, Soares & Mr. Dutra absent) to reopen the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and add the recall bylaw amendment article (Option 1) without renumbering existing articles.” (Motion: McGuigan, second: Teas)
Mar 23Request to approve layout of Stacy Lane as shown…Motion: to approve the layout of Stacy Lane pending Certificate : of…Passed 3–1 · Soares: Absent
March 23, 2026 · Item b: Request to approve layout of Stacy Lane as shown on the Definitive Subdivision Plan entitled "Stacy Lane" Off Fisher Road, prepared for Ronald Oliveira Dated: November 23, 2020, recorded in…
To approve the layout of Stacy Lane pending Certificate : of Compliance from Conservation
Voted: Absent
Yes: Brewer, Dutra, TeasNo: McGuiganAbsent: Soares
From the minutes
“ACTION: After a motion was made by Craig Dutra and seconded by : Richard Brewer it was voted 3-1-0 (Mr. McGuigan opposed & Mr. . Soares absent) to approve the layout of Stacy Lane pending Certificate : of Compliance from Conservation.” (Motion: Dutra, second: Brewer)
Feb 9ApproveMotion: to approve said projectPassed 3–2 · Soares: No
To approve said project
Voted: No
Yes: Brewer, Dutra, TeasNo: McGuigan, Soares
From the minutes
“ACTION: After a motion was made by Craig Dutra and seconded by Richard Brewer, it was voted 3-2-0 (Manuel Soares and Jake McGuigan opposed) to approve said project.” (Motion: Dutra, second: Brewer)
Feb 9Request from NSTAR Electric Company D/B/A Eversource Energy to…Motion: to approve said projectPassed 4–1 · Soares: Yes
February 9, 2026 · Item a: Request from NSTAR Electric Company D/B/A Eversource Energy to locate underground : cables, conduits and manholes, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, in, : under, along and acr
To approve said project
Voted: Yes
Yes: Brewer, Dutra, Soares, TeasNo: McGuigan
From the minutes
“ACTION: After a motion was made by Richard Brewer and seconded by Manuel Soares, it was voted 4-1-0 (Jake McGuigan opposed) to approve said project.” (Motion: Brewer, second: Soares)
Feb 9Request from Maria Branco, Clerk to the Zoning Board…Motion: to designate Ms. Branco to said positionPassed 4–1 · Soares: No
February 9, 2026 · Item a: Request from Maria Branco, Clerk to the Zoning Board of Appeals & Community Preservation Committee, to be designated as a Special Municipal Employee
To designate Ms. Branco to said position
Voted: No
Yes: Brewer, Dutra, McGuigan, TeasNo: Soares
From the minutes
“ACTION: After a motion was made by Richard Brewer and seconded by Craig Dutra, it was voted 4-1-0 (Manuel Soares opposed) to designate Ms. Branco to said position.” (Motion: Brewer, second: Dutra)
Jan 5Request to approve mediation agreement with City of Fall…Motion: to approve the mediation agreement with the City of Fall River…Passed 3–0 · Soares: Abstained
January 5, 2026 · Item a: Request to approve mediation agreement with City of Fall River for the Water Enterprise Fund
To approve the mediation agreement with the City of Fall River for the Water Enterprise Fund
Voted: Abstained
Yes: Brewer, Dutra, TeasAbstained: SoaresAbsent: McGuigan
From the minutes
“ACTION: After a motion was made by Richard Brewer, and seconded by Shana Teas, it was voted unanimously 3-0-1 (Jake McGuigan absent and Manuel Soares abstained) to approve the mediation agreement with the City of Fall River for the Water Enterprise Fund.” (Motion: Brewer, second: Teas)
Jan 5Request to approve the Inter-Municipal Water Agreement with City…Motion: to approve the intermunicipal water agreement with the City of Fall…Passed 3–0 · Soares: Abstained
January 5, 2026 · Item b: Request to approve the Inter-Municipal Water Agreement with City of Fall River
To approve the intermunicipal water agreement with the City of Fall River
Voted: Abstained
Yes: Brewer, Dutra, TeasAbstained: SoaresAbsent: McGuigan
From the minutes
“ACTION: After a motion was made by Richard Brewer, and seconded by Craig Dutra, it was voted unanimously 3-0-1 (Jake McGuigan absent and Manuel Soares abstained) to approve the intermunicipal water agreement with the City of Fall River.” (Motion: Brewer, second: Dutra)
Votes with no disagreement (180)
From the Westport Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s website. Every vote in these minutes has a count, and the minutes name anyone who voted no, abstained or was absent. We check every count against the members named and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Member photos: Westport Shorelines (EastBayRI). Craig Dutra from a video titled with his name (Coastal Healing channel, about 2021).
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