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Municipal votes · 2018–2019 Board

Yarmouth Select Board

How the Yarmouth Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Same five members (Erik Tolley and Norm Holcomb were sworn in for new terms on May 22, 2018). That day the board chose Norm Holcomb as Chair (5-0), Michael Stone as Vice Chair (4-0, Stone abstaining) and Licensing Chair, Erik Tolley as Clerk and Mark Forest as Appointments Chair (each 5-0). A motion to keep the 2017 officers was not seconded. Covers 37 meetings, May 22 to May 14, 2019.

A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.

What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.

Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.

Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budget
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Board years

Coming up

No upcoming meeting is posted yet. Check the official calendar →

Under the state Open Meeting Law, boards post notice at least 48 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays.

What Town Meeting decided

In Yarmouth, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Any registered voter can take part, and most votes are by voice or show of hands, so there is no list of who voted which way.

Special Town Meeting · November 17, 2025 15 votes: 12 passed, 2 passed as amended, 1 failed

Source: Town Clerk's minutes in the 2025 Annual Town Report.

Annual Town Meeting · April 29, 2025 34 votes: 33 passed, 1 passed as amended

Source: Town Clerk's minutes in the 2025 Annual Town Report.

Special Town Meeting · December 9, 2024 2 votes: 2 passed

Source: Town Clerk's minutes in the 2024 Annual Town Report.

Special Town Meeting · November 19, 2024 14 votes: 14 passed

Source: Town Clerk's minutes in the 2024 Annual Town Report.

Annual Town Meeting · April 30, 2024 33 votes: 32 passed, 1 passed as amended

Source: Town Clerk's minutes in the 2024 Annual Town Report.

Not here yet: the April 28, 2026 Annual Town Meeting and the June 24, 2026 Special Town Meeting (no official results posted yet; they should appear in the 2026 Annual Town Report).

Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).

Members

Norm HolcombChair · Elected townwide · at 33 of 37 meetingsTracy PostMember · Elected townwide · at 37 of 37 meetingsErik TolleyClerk · Elected townwide · at 21 of 37 meetings

"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: Select Board minutes from January 3, 2018 through June 24, 2026. Minutes for 2018 and 2019 come from the town’s Archive Center (its Selectmen Minutes go back to 2005); later minutes come from its online Agenda Center. Not here: executive-session minutes (except four dates, in 2019 and 2020, where they are the only minutes posted), and meetings whose minutes are not online, including most meetings from March 30 to October 19, 2021 (19 meetings), about 20 other agenda-only dates from 2018 to 2025 (many of them executive sessions, workshops or joint meetings), and almost all of 2026: by October 4, 2026 the town had posted minutes for only three 2026 meetings (April 28, May 20 and June 24). Two files are not the minutes of the meeting they are posted under (the August 19, 2023 file is a copy of the November 15, 2022 minutes; the June 27, 2022 file is another committee’s minutes), so those dates are left out. Since 2023 most minutes are scanned copies, which MassVoter read with text-recognition software. Yarmouth’s minutes set out each motion with the mover, the seconder and the vote, such as “Vote: 4 ayes; 1 nay (Mike Stone)” or “Yea 5 Nay 0”, and remote and hybrid meetings record roll calls by name. When the count matches the members present, we show every member present as voting yes, and when the minutes name the members who voted no or abstained, everyone else present as voting yes. Members the minutes say were absent for a vote, left, or had not yet joined are left out of those votes. Where the minutes give only a split count without names, the count does not match the members on the attendance line, or a roll call lists a member the minutes do not show as present, we show the count only and add a note. Votes by other boards at joint meetings are not included. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 · Regular meeting9 recorded votes, 2 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, May 7, 2019 · Regular meeting14 recorded votes, 3 with disagreementAll 5 members presentSaturday, May 4, 2019 · Special meeting2 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAll 5 members presentThursday, April 25, 2019 · Regular meeting1 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAbsent: Norm Holcomb, Erik TolleyTuesday, April 23, 2019 · Regular meeting12 recorded votes, 4 with disagreementAbsent: Erik Tolley

Votes where members disagreed

Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.

May 14Prohibit herbicide applications on Town property by the TownMotion: To move that the Board of Selectmen prohibit herbicide applications on…Failed 2–3 · see note

May 14, 2019: Prohibit herbicide applications on Town property by the Town

ApproveFailed · 2–3

To move that the Board of Selectmen prohibit herbicide applications on Town property by the Town.

The minutes give only the count (2 in favor, 3 opposed), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“MOTION: To move that the Board of Selectmen prohibit herbicide applications on Town property by the Town. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Norm Holcomb Selectman Post noted that the Town has repeatedly asked EverSource to stop spraying pesticides on the power lines, and she and Selectman Holcomb argued that safer alternatives exist. Mr. Knapik explained that the Town uses a targeted "cut and swipe" method of application, which EverSource has rejected in favor of spraying due to the large area it must maintain. The EPA considers glysophate safe to use in accordance with manufacturer's directions. The Town tried a vinegar/soap solution on Route 28 sidewalks two years ago, but was stopped by MassDOT. Alternatives may exist, but may not be practical. For example, the alternative for invasives management would be hand removal, which would be extremely expensive. The Parks & Recreation Department recommends continued use of herbicides in minimal quantities while the Town develops a policy with strict guidelines while searching for alternatives. Selectman Post offered to amend her motion to allow the Town to identify alternatives. Discussion followed regarding recent lawsuit awards. AMENDED MOTION: To move that the Board of Selectmen prohibit herbicide applications on Town property by the Town upon the beginning of FY21. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Norm Holcomb Yea 2 Nay 3.” (Motion: Post, second: Holcomb)

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

May 7Find a violation on February 10, 2019 of 204…Motion: To move to find a violation on February 10, 2019 of…Failed 2–3 · see note

May 7, 2019: Find a violation on February 10, 2019 of 204 CMR 2.052, permitting an illegality on the licensed premises, violation of MGL Chapter 138, Section 12, service of alcoholic beverage beyond…

ApproveFailed · 2–3

To move to find a violation on February 10, 2019 of 204 CMR 2.052, permitting an illegality on the licensed premises, violation of MGL Chapter 138, Section 12, service of alcoholic beverage beyond the hours fixed by a local licensing authority for that license; which is also a violation of Yarmouth Rules and Regulations, Section 1.04(a), (c), (d), and (e).

The minutes say the motion was "not seconded", but then record a vote on it ("By a vote of: Yea 2 Nay 3"). The minutes give only the count (2 in favor, 3 opposed), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“MOTION: To move to find a violation on February 10, 2019 of 204 CMR 2.052, permitting an illegality on the licensed premises, violation of MGL Chapter 138, Section 12, service of alcoholic beverage beyond the hours fixed by a local licensing authority for that license; which is also a violation of Yarmouth Rules and Regulations, Section 1.04(a), (c), (d), and (e). Motion by: Tracy Post; not seconded. Deliberations continued regarding the strength of the circumstantial evidence of alcohol service after licensed hours. Officer Magnuson considered it very strong. Selectman Holcomb expressed frustration at having issued the license in the first place, due to Mr. Paguay's lack of experience and language barrier. Selectman Stone advised that the potential violations would be taken separately, and in order. By a vote of: Yea 2 Nay 3.” (Motion: Post)

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

Apr 23Approve the entertainment license contingent on the petitioner receiving…Motion: To move to approve the entertainment license contingent on the petitioner…Passed 3–1 · No: Holcomb

April 23, 2019: Approve the entertainment license contingent on the petitioner receiving all necessary building/occupancy permits, with conditions

ApprovePassed · 3–1

To move to approve the entertainment license contingent on the petitioner receiving all necessary building/occupancy permits, with conditions. The conditions are that the outdoor entertainment be limited to recorded amplified music Monday-Saturday from 10 am-9 pm and on Sunday from 12 pm-8 pm. For indoor entertainment, hours can be 7 am-1 am as long as the noise and alcohol is contained within the building.

Yes: Forest, Post, StoneNo: Holcomb

From the minutes

“MOTION: To move to approve the entertainment license contingent on the petitioner receiving all necessary building/occupancy permits, with conditions. The conditions are that the outdoor entertainment be limited to recorded amplified music Monday-Saturday from 10 am-9 pm and on Sunday from 12 pm-8 pm. For indoor entertainment, hours can be 7 am-1 am as long as the noise and alcohol is contained within the building. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Mark Forest Yea 3 Nay 1 (Norm Holcomb voted in opposition).” (Motion: Post, second: Forest)

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

Apr 23Approve the All-Alcohol Innholder License with conditionsMotion: To move to approve the All-Alcohol Innholder License with conditions. The…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Holcomb

April 23, 2019: Approve the All-Alcohol Innholder License with conditions

ApprovePassed · 3–0

To move to approve the All-Alcohol Innholder License with conditions. The conditions are that the outdoor alcohol service be limited to Monday-Saturday from 10 am-9 pm and on Sunday from 12 pm-8 pm. For indoor service, hours can be 7 am-1 am as long as the noise and alcohol is contained within the building.

Yes: Forest, Post, StoneAbstained: HolcombThe minutes give the count as 3-0 and name Norm Holcomb as abstaining; the abstention is not in the count.

From the minutes

“MOTION: To move to approve the All-Alcohol Innholder License with conditions. The conditions are that the outdoor alcohol service be limited to Monday-Saturday from 10 am-9 pm and on Sunday from 12 pm-8 pm. For indoor service, hours can be 7 am-1 am as long as the noise and alcohol is contained within the building. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Mark Forest Yea 3 Nay 0 (Norm Holcomb abstained).” (Motion: Post, second: Forest)

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

Apr 23Continue with Yarmouth Golf as a Town-run enterpriseMotion: To move to continue with Yarmouth Golf as a Town-run enterprise.Failed 2–2 · No: Forest, Post

April 23, 2019: Continue with Yarmouth Golf as a Town-run enterprise

ApproveFailed · 2–2

To move to continue with Yarmouth Golf as a Town-run enterprise.

Yes: Holcomb, StoneNo: Forest, Post

From the minutes

“MOTION: To move to continue with Yarmouth Golf as a Town-run enterprise. Motion by: Michael Stone Seconded by: Norm Holcomb Yea 2 Nay 2 (Tracy Post and Mark Forest voted in opposition and the motion failed).” (Motion: Stone, second: Holcomb)

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

Mar 26Recommend Article 3, the Golf Operating BudgetMotion: To move to recommend Article 3, the Golf Operating Budget.Passed 3–0 · see note

March 26, 2019: Recommend Article 3, the Golf Operating Budget

ApprovePassed · 3–0

To move to recommend Article 3, the Golf Operating Budget.

The minutes give only the count (3 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstaining), not how each member voted.

From the minutes

“MOTION: To move to recommend Article 3, the Golf Operating Budget. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Mike Stone Yea 3 Nay 0 Abstain 1.” (Motion: Post, second: Stone)

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

Mar 19Recommend the proposed new DY Regional School AgreementMotion: To move to recommend the proposed new DY Regional School Agreement.Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Stone

March 19, 2019: Recommend the proposed new DY Regional School Agreement

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To move to recommend the proposed new DY Regional School Agreement.

Yes: Forest, Holcomb, Post, TolleyAbstained: StoneThe minutes give the count as 4-0 and name Michael Stone as abstaining; the abstention is not in the count.

From the minutes

“MOTION: To move to recommend the proposed new DY Regional School Agreement. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Mark Forest Yea 4 Nay 0 (Selectman Michael Stone abstained).” (Motion: Post, second: Forest)

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

Dec 18Accept the resignation of Paul O'Brien from the Board…Motion: To move that the Board of Selectmen accept the resignation of…Passed 4–0 · see note

December 18, 2018: Accept the resignation of Paul O'Brien from the Board of Health with thanks for his years of service to the Town

AppointPassed · 4–0

To move that the Board of Selectmen accept the resignation of Paul O'Brien from the Board of Health with thanks for his years of service to the Town.

The minutes give the count as 4 in favor and none opposed, but 3 members were present for this vote (Michael Stone, Erik Tolley and Tracy Post). Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“MOTION: To move that the Board of Selectmen accept the resignation of Paul O'Brien from the Board of Health with thanks for his years of service to the Town. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Erik Tolley Yea 4 Nay 0.” (Motion: Post, second: Tolley)

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

Dec 18Appoint George Slamma as an associate member to the…Motion: To move that the Board of Selectmen appoint George Slamma as…Passed 4–0 · see note

December 18, 2018: Appoint George Slamma as an associate member to the Historical Commission through July 2019

AppointPassed · 4–0

To move that the Board of Selectmen appoint George Slamma as an associate member to the Historical Commission through July 2019.

The minutes give the count as 4 in favor and none opposed, but 3 members were present for this vote (Michael Stone, Erik Tolley and Tracy Post). Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“MOTION: To move that the Board of Selectmen appoint George Slamma as an associate member to the Historical Commission through July 2019. Motion by: Erik Tolley Seconded by: Tracy Post Yea 4 Nay 0.” (Motion: Tolley, second: Post)

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

Dec 18Reappoint Richard Gegenwarth to the architect positon on the…Motion: To move that the Board of Selectmen reappoint Richard Gegenwarth to…Passed 4–0 · see note

December 18, 2018: Reappoint Richard Gegenwarth to the architect positon on the Old King's Highway Committee through December 2019

AppointPassed · 4–0

To move that the Board of Selectmen reappoint Richard Gegenwarth to the architect positon on the Old King's Highway Committee through December 2019.

The minutes give the count as 4 in favor and none opposed, but 3 members were present for this vote (Michael Stone, Erik Tolley and Tracy Post). Showing the count only.

From the minutes

“MOTION: To move that the Board of Selectmen reappoint Richard Gegenwarth to the architect positon on the Old King's Highway Committee through December 2019. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Erik Tolley Yea 4 Nay 0.” (Motion: Post, second: Tolley)

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

From the Yarmouth Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center and its Archive Center (2018 and 2019). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Yarmouth (Tracy Post, Liz Argo); The Provincetown Independent, courtesy Mark Forest (Mark Forest); Cape Cod Times (Joyce Flynn); AARP (Dorcas McGurrin)

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