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Weymouth Town Council
How the Weymouth Town Council voted, from the Town Council’s official minutes. 11 members: 5 elected townwide (at-large) and 6 elected by district. Rick Coughlin joined the board after the November 2023 town election; Lisa Belmarsh left. On January 2, 2024 the board chose Michael Molisse as President and Pascale Burga as Vice President. John Abbott (District 6) resigned as of August 30, 2024; on December 2, 2024 the board chose Carrie Palazzo for the seat, and she is on the board from December 16, 2024. Mr. Molisse was elected Mayor in November 2025 and took office right after the election; Ms. Burga then served as acting President and Greg Shanahan as acting Vice President, and Stephen Shinney was appointed to Mr. Molisse's at-large seat (welcomed November 10, 2025; on the attendance line from December 1, 2025). Covers 33 meetings, January 2 to December 1, 2025.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Town Council do? It is the town’s lawmaking body (this town has no Town Meeting). It passes local laws (bylaws or ordinances), votes on the yearly budget, and approves borrowing and zoning changes.
The mayor runs the town day to day and proposes the budget.
Sources: Mass. General Laws c. 44 § 32 (city budgets)Your Weymouth ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
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Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Weymouth’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
Members
Rick CoughlinMember · Member at-large · at 32 of 33 meetings
Kenneth DiFazioMember · District Three Member · at 29 of 33 meetings
Fred HappelMember · Member at-large · at 28 of 33 meetings
Christopher HeffernanMember · Member at-large · at 26 of 33 meetingsMaureen KielyMember · District Two Member · at 18 of 33 meetings
Gary MacDougallMember · District Five Member · at 31 of 33 meetings
Arthur MathewsMember · District Four Member · at 32 of 33 meetings
Carrie PalazzoMember · District Six Member · at 17 of 17 meetings · from Dec 2024Greg ShanahanActing Vice President (from November 2025) · Town Member · at 31 of 33 meetings
Stephen ShinneyMember · Member at-large · at 2 of 2 meetings · from Nov 2025"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Weymouth Town Council minutes from January 2, 2018 through April 6, 2026, full-board meetings only (the board’s committee meetings are not included). Minutes through September 2025 come from the town’s yearly minutes and agendas archive pages, which go back to 2004 (MassVoter has loaded 2018 on); later minutes come from the town’s Agenda Center. Not here: October 17, 2022 and November 13, 2023 (the posted files hold the minutes of other meetings), April 1, 2024 (the minutes link is broken), February 18, 2025 (the minutes link opens an agenda), October 6, October 27, November 17 and December 15, 2025 (no minutes posted; the November 17 minutes were approved on December 1, 2025), and every meeting after April 6, 2026 (April 21 through October 5, 2026). Four files (August 25, 2020, January 16, 2024, February 3, 2025 and November 10, 2025) are scanned copies, which MassVoter read with text-recognition software. Weymouth’s minutes usually say “UNANIMOUSLY VOTED”; we then show every member present as voting yes, using the clerk’s roll call at the start of the meeting and any arrivals, departures and recusals the minutes record. From 2020 to 2023 most votes were roll calls by name, and we show each vote as recorded. Where the minutes give a count that does not match the members present, a roll call that does not match its count, or no count at all (“VOTED.”), we show the count or the result only, with a note. Votes taken by the Planning Board or the Conservation Commission at joint hearings, and committee votes reported to the board, are not included. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Nov 10Vote on measure 25 091 - Appointment as Town…Motion: She will serve a term of three years. Seconded by Member…Passed Unanimous, 10 present · see note
November 10, 2025: Vote on measure 25 091 - Appointment as Town Clerk - Lisa Van Winkle
She will serve a term of three years. Seconded by Councilor Mathews.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“She will serve a term of three years. Seconded by Councilor Mathews. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.” (second: Mathews)
Nov 10Vote on measure 25 092 - Reappointment as Assistant…Motion: This measure will amend measure 25 002 Reappointment as Assistant Town…Passed Unanimous, 10 present · see note
November 10, 2025: Vote on measure 25 092 - Reappointment as Assistant Town Clerk - Lee Hultin
This measure will amend measure 25 002 Reappointment as Assistant Town Clerk Lee Hultin as the three year term would be amended accordingly to be in line with the Town Clerk appointment. Seconded by Councilor Mathews.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“This measure will amend measure 25 002 Reappointment as Assistant Town Clerk Lee Hultin as the three year term would be amended accordingly to be in line with the Town Clerk appointment. Seconded by Councilor Mathews. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.” (second: Mathews)
Nov 10Vote on measure 25 093 - Appointment to the…Motion: This is a two year term set to expire on June…Passed Unanimous, 10 present · see note
November 10, 2025: Vote on measure 25 093 - Appointment to the Weymouth Cultural Council - Jason Benjamin
This is a two year term set to expire on June 30%, 2027 and was filling vacancy created by the resignation of Gina O'Leary. Seconded by Councilor Mathews.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“This is a two year term set to expire on June 30%, 2027 and was filling vacancy created by the resignation of Gina O'Leary. Seconded by Councilor Mathews. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.” (second: Mathews)
Nov 10Favorable action on measure 25 094 - Appointment to…Motion: Chair Shanahan stated that Measure 25 094 - Appointment to Historical…Passed Unanimous, 10 present · see note
November 10, 2025: Favorable action on measure 25 094 - Appointment to the Historical Commission - Harrison Carter
Chair Shanahan stated that Measure 25 094 - Appointment to Historical Commission - Harrison Carter was hereby submitted for consideration by the full Town Council, in accordance with Section 2-10 of the Town Charter he respectfully submitted the name of Harrison Carter of 61 Marks Road, Weymouth, MA, 02189 for appointment to the Historical Commission filling a three year term due to expire on June 30. 2026. This was filling a remainder of a three year term created by the resignation of Zachary Craig. Seconded by Councilor Mathews.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Chair Shanahan stated that Measure 25 094 - Appointment to Historical Commission - Harrison Carter was hereby submitted for consideration by the full Town Council, in accordance with Section 2-10 of the Town Charter he respectfully submitted the name of Harrison Carter of 61 Marks Road, Weymouth, MA, 02189 for appointment to the Historical Commission filling a three year term due to expire on June 30. 2026. This was filling a remainder of a three year term created by the resignation of Zachary Craig. Seconded by Councilor Mathews. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.” (second: Mathews)
Nov 10Vote on measure 25 095 - Appointment to the…Motion: This is a three year term due to expire on June…Passed Unanimous, 10 present · see note
November 10, 2025: Vote on measure 25 095 - Appointment to the Board of Elder Services - Linda Glennon
This is a three year term due to expire on June 30", 2028 filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Ashely Eikelberg. Seconded by Councilor Mathews.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“This is a three year term due to expire on June 30", 2028 filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Ashely Eikelberg. Seconded by Councilor Mathews. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.” (second: Mathews)
Nov 10Vote on measure 25 096 - Appointment to the…Motion: This is a three year term due to expire on June…Passed Unanimous, 10 present · see note
November 10, 2025: Vote on measure 25 096 - Appointment to the Recreation Commission - Rebecca Haugh
This is a three year term due to expire on June 30", 2028 filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Arthur DelRosso. Seconded by Councilor Mathews.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“This is a three year term due to expire on June 30", 2028 filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Arthur DelRosso. Seconded by Councilor Mathews. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.” (second: Mathews)
Nov 10Vote on measure 25 097 - Appointment to the…Motion: This is a two year term due to expire on June…Passed Unanimous, 10 present · see note
November 10, 2025: Vote on measure 25 097 - Appointment to the Cultural Council - Brian Kintz
This is a two year term due to expire on June 30%, 2027 filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Marie Stoeckel. Seconded by Councilor Mathews.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“This is a two year term due to expire on June 30%, 2027 filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Marie Stoeckel. Seconded by Councilor Mathews. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.” (second: Mathews)
Nov 10Vote on measure 25 098 - Appointment to the…Motion: This is a three year term due to expire on June…Passed Unanimous, 10 present · see note
November 10, 2025: Vote on measure 25 098 - Appointment to the Scholarship Committee - Brian Kintz
This is a three year term due to expire on June 30%, 2028 filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Michael Grafton. Seconded by Councilor Mathews.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“This is a three year term due to expire on June 30%, 2028 filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Michael Grafton. Seconded by Councilor Mathews. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.” (second: Mathews)
Sep 15Favorable action on measure 25 086 - Appointment of…Motion: Member DiFazio stated that they had chosen an excellent person for…Passed Unanimous, 7 present · see note
September 15, 2025: Favorable action on measure 25 086 - Appointment of Director of Administrative and Community Services
Councilor DiFazio stated that they had chosen an excellent person for the position and the constituents could not have a better person in the Town of Weymouth to do exactly what the position called for and wished him luck. Chair Shanahan stated on behalf of the Budget Management Committee, he hereby submitted the following measure to the Town Council for its consideration and action, in accordance with Section 2-10 and 3-3 of the Town Charter and Section 2-209 of the Town Ordinances, I respectfully submit the name of Thomas J. Lacey for appointment as Director of Administrative and Community Services and was seconded by Vice President Burga.
Michael Molisse stepped aside (recused) and is not shown as voting. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiFazio stated that they had chosen an excellent person for the position and the constituents could not have a better person in the Town of Weymouth to do exactly what the position called for and wished him luck. Chair Shanahan stated on behalf of the Budget Management Committee, he hereby submitted the following measure to the Town Council for its consideration and action, in accordance with Section 2-10 and 3-3 of the Town Charter and Section 2-209 of the Town Ordinances, I respectfully submit the name of Thomas J. Lacey for appointment as Director of Administrative and Community Services and was seconded by Vice President Burga. President Molisse recused himself from the vote. Councilor Mathews thanked President Molisse for submitting former councilor Lacey's name. Councilor Mathews stated he appreciated the years of service he had with him on the Town Council and was looking forward to working with him again and he was a great choice. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.” (second: Burga)
Sep 15Favorable action on measure 25 087 - FY26 Line-Item…Motion: Chair Shanahan stated on behalf of the Budget Management Committee, he…Passed Unanimous, 7 present · see note
September 15, 2025: Favorable action on measure 25 087 - FY26 Line-Item Transfer
Chair Shanahan stated on behalf of the Budget Management Committee, he hereby submitted the following measure to the Town Council for consideration and action that the Town of Weymouth transfer the following sums of money, $59,063.04 from the property and liability insurance budget line item 11824710 574201 to the Mayor's Salaries line item 1124115 510001 for the purposes of funding the salary for the Director of Administrative and Community Services. Seconded by Councilor Burga.
Michael Molisse stepped aside (recused) and is not shown as voting. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Chair Shanahan stated on behalf of the Budget Management Committee, he hereby submitted the following measure to the Town Council for consideration and action that the Town of Weymouth transfer the following sums of money, $59,063.04 from the property and liability insurance budget line item 11824710 574201 to the Mayor's Salaries line item 1124115 510001 for the purposes of funding the salary for the Director of Administrative and Community Services. Seconded by Councilor Burga. President Molisse recused himself from the vote. UNANIMOUSLY VOTED.” (second: Burga)
From the Weymouth Town Council’s official minutes, posted on the town’s minutes and agendas archive and in its Agenda Center. We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Weymouth (Members page).
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