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Municipal votes · 2022–2023 Board

Yarmouth Select Board

How the Yarmouth Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Dorcas McGurrin joined the board after the May 17, 2022 town election; Tracy Post left. On May 24, 2022 the board chose Michael Stone as Chair and Licensing Chair, Dan Horgan as Vice Chair, Peter Smith as Clerk and Dorcas McGurrin as Appointments Chair (each 5-0). Covers 33 meetings, May 24 to May 2, 2023.

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

Your Yarmouth ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.

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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

Mark ForestMember · Elected townwide · at 32 of 33 meetingsPeter SmithClerk · Elected townwide · at 30 of 33 meetingsMichael StoneChair and Licensing Chair · Elected townwide · at 33 of 33 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 2, 2023 · Regular meeting19 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAbsent: Peter SmithTuesday, April 25, 2023 · Special meeting5 recorded votes, 3 with disagreementAll 5 members presentTuesday, April 4, 2023 · Regular meeting5 recorded votes, 0 with disagreementAbsent: Peter SmithTuesday, March 28, 2023 · Regular meeting17 recorded votes, 1 with disagreementAbsent: Dan HorganTuesday, March 21, 2023 · Regular meeting34 recorded votes, 2 with disagreementAll 5 members present

Votes where members disagreed

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

Apr 25Not recommend Article 34 - Petition for Plastic Reduction…Motion: That the Board of Selectmen not recommend Article 34 - Petition…Passed 4–1 · No: Horgan

April 25, 2023 (Special meeting): Not recommend Article 34 - Petition for Plastic Reduction Bylaw

ApprovePassed · 4–1

That the Board of Selectmen not recommend Article 34 - Petition for Plastic Reduction Bylaw.

Yes: Forest, McGurrin, Smith, StoneNo: Horgan

From the minutes

“MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen not recommend Article 34 - Petition for Plastic Reduction Bylaw. Motion by: Mark Forest Seconded by: Mike Stone Roll Call Vote: Peter Smith, aye; Mark Forest, aye; Dorcas McGurrin, aye; Dan Horgan, nay; Mike Stone, aye. Vote: 4 ayes; 1 nay. The motion passed..” (Motion: Forest, second: Stone)

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

Apr 25Not recommend Article 35 - Petition for Single Use…Motion: That the Board of Selectmen not recommend Article 35 - Petition…Passed 4–1 · No: Horgan

April 25, 2023 (Special meeting): Not recommend Article 35 - Petition for Single Use Plastic Water Bottle Ban Bylaw

ApprovePassed · 4–1

That the Board of Selectmen not recommend Article 35 - Petition for Single Use Plastic Water Bottle Ban Bylaw.

Yes: Forest, McGurrin, Smith, StoneNo: Horgan

From the minutes

“MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen not recommend Article 35 - Petition for Single Use Plastic Water Bottle Ban Bylaw. Motion by: Mark Forest Seconded by: Mike Stone Roll Call Vote: Peter Smith, aye; Mark Forest, aye; Dorcas McGurrin, aye; Dan Horgan, nay; Mike Stone, aye. Vote: 4 ayes; 1 nay. The motion passed..” (Motion: Forest, second: Stone)

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

Apr 25Would recommend an amended Article 35 - Petition for…Motion: That the Board of Selectmen would recommend an amended Article 35…Passed 4–1 · No: Horgan

April 25, 2023 (Special meeting): Would recommend an amended Article 35 - Petition for Single Use Plastic Water Bottle Ban Bylaw, if the amendment eliminated the deletion of Section 142-12 from the article motion

ApprovePassed · 4–1

That the Board of Selectmen would recommend an amended Article 35 - Petition for Single Use Plastic Water Bottle Ban Bylaw, if the amendment eliminated the deletion of Section 142-12 from the article motion.

Yes: Forest, McGurrin, Smith, StoneNo: Horgan

From the minutes

“MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen would recommend an amended Article 35 - Petition for Single Use Plastic Water Bottle Ban Bylaw, if the amendment eliminated the deletion of Section 142-12 from the article motion. Motion by: Mark Forest Seconded by: Mike Stone Discussion: It was clarified that the amendment to the article would allow the penalty provisions to remain in the Bylaw. The amendment would only delete Section 142-11 pertaining to registration of sprinkler systems. Roll Call Vote: Peter Smith, aye; Dorcas McGurrin, aye; Mark Forest, aye; Dan Horgan, nay; Mike Stone, aye. Vote: 4 ayes; 1 nay. The motion passed..” (Motion: Forest, second: Stone)

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

Mar 28Recommend Article 20Motion: To recommend Article 20.Passed Unanimous, 4 present · see note

March 28, 2023: Recommend Article 20

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 4 present

To recommend Article 20.

The minutes name two seconders (Dorcas McGurrin, Peter Q. Smith); the first is shown.

From the minutes

“MOTION: To recommend Article 20. Motion by: Mark Forest Seconded by: Dorcas McGurrin, Peter Q. Smith Vote: 4 ayes; 0 nays; one member absent. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Forest, second: McGurrin)

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Mar 21Recommend Article 32, Open Space/Recreation ProjectsMotion: To recommend Article 32, Open Space/Recreation Projects.Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

March 21, 2023: Recommend Article 32, Open Space/Recreation Projects

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

To recommend Article 32, Open Space/Recreation Projects.

The minutes record the seconder as "none noted". The minutes do not name a seconder.

From the minutes

“MOTION: To recommend Article 32, Open Space/Recreation Projects. Motion by: Mark Forest Seconded by: (none noted) Discussion: Selectman Smith said that he was not opposed, but he had received questions about the Riverwalk Park portion. It was agreed that the article would be discussed at a future meeting. Vote: 5 ayes; 0 nays. The motion carried unanimously..” (Motion: Forest)

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Feb 28Approve the All Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License from June…Motion: To approve the All Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License from June 15…Passed 4–1 · No: Smith

February 28, 2023: Approve the All Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License from June 15 th to September 8th, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the rest of the year from September 9th to…

ApprovePassed · 4–1

To approve the All Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License from June 15 th to September 8th, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the rest of the year from September 9th to June 14th, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Yes: Forest, Horgan, McGurrin, StoneNo: Smith

From the minutes

“MOTION: To approve the All Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License from June 15 th to September 8th, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the rest of the year from September 9th to June 14th, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Motion by: Dorcas McGurrin Seconded by: Peter Smith Vote: 4 ayes; 1 nay (Peter Smith). The motion was approved..” (Motion: McGurrin, second: Smith)

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Feb 28Approve the Weekday Entertainment License from June 15 th…Motion: To approve the Weekday Entertainment License from June 15 th to…Passed 4–1 · No: Smith

February 28, 2023: Approve the Weekday Entertainment License from June 15 th to September 8th, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the rest of the year from September 9th to June 14th,…

ApprovePassed · 4–1

To approve the Weekday Entertainment License from June 15 th to September 8th, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the rest of the year from September 9th to June 14th, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. All music will be confined to the interior of the premises and to the exclusion of the exterior of the premises.

Yes: Forest, Horgan, McGurrin, StoneNo: Smith

From the minutes

“MOTION: To approve the Weekday Entertainment License from June 15 th to September 8th, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the rest of the year from September 9th to June 14th, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. All music will be confined to the interior of the premises and to the exclusion of the exterior of the premises. Motion by: Dan Horgan Seconded by: Dorcas McGurrin Vote: 4 ayes; 1 nay (Peter Smith). The motion was approved..” (Motion: Horgan, second: McGurrin)

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Feb 14Appoint Enrique Arrascue as the next Fire ChiefMotion: That the Board of Selectmen appoint Enrique Arrascue as the next…Passed Unanimous, 5 present · see note

February 14, 2023: Appoint Enrique Arrascue as the next Fire Chief

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

That the Board of Selectmen appoint Enrique Arrascue as the next Fire Chief.

The minutes name two seconders (Peter Smith and Dorcas McGurrin); the first is shown.

From the minutes

“MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen appoint Enrique Arrascue as the next Fire Chief. Motion by: Mark Forest Seconded by: Peter Smith and Dorcas McGurrin Roll Call Vote: Mark Forest, aye; Dan Horgan, aye; Dorcas McGurrin, aye; Peter Smith, aye; Michael Stone, aye. Vote: 5 ayes; 0 nays. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Forest, second: Smith)

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

Dec 6Approve the final documentMotion: To approve the final document.Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Forest

December 6, 2022: Approve the final document

ApprovePassed · 4–0

To approve the final document.

Yes: Horgan, McGurrin, Smith, StoneAbstained: Forest

From the minutes

“MOTION: To approve the final document. Motion by: Dan Horgan Seconded by: Dorcas McGurrin Vote: 4 ayes; 0 nays; 1 abstention (Mark Forest). The motion passed..” (Motion: Horgan, second: McGurrin)

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

Nov 15Not recommend Article 23 if not postponed or withdrawnMotion: To not recommend Article 23 if not postponed or withdrawn.Passed 4–1 · No: Horgan

November 15, 2022 (Special meeting): Not recommend Article 23 if not postponed or withdrawn

ApprovePassed · 4–1

To not recommend Article 23 if not postponed or withdrawn.

Yes: Forest, McGurrin, Smith, StoneNo: Horgan

From the minutes

“MOTION: To not recommend Article 23 if not postponed or withdrawn. Motion by: Peter Smith Seconded by: Mike Stone Vote: 4 ayes; 1 nay (Dan Horgan). The motion passed..” (Motion: Smith, second: Stone)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (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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