I will step down as Town Clerk after the November 3 election.

Town Clerk has been an elected position in Sandisfield since 1762. It's one of the oldest offices in American government - the Clerk used to do most of the Town's work. There's no debate between elected and appointed. The position is elected. If nobody runs, then it can be switched to appointed. But appointed should be a last resort.

The question of changing the Town Clerk position from elected to appointed was previously considered at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting, where the vote was two-to-one to maintain the position as elected.

We shouldn't make that change before trying to fill the vacancy through election - that would be like amputating your leg before you get an infection.

A special election for Town Clerk is on the agenda for the Select Board meeting Monday, November 2. If the Special Election happens, it would have to be soon, and I would stay on in some capacity to help facilitate the special election.

Two recent resignations have prompted questions among Sandisfield residents about changes in Town leadership and what lies ahead.

Select Board member John Field officially resigned October 12, approximately halfway through his second term on the Board. In recent months, Field had attended several Board meetings remotely, appearing in person when certain votes required his presence.

Town Clerk Douglas Miner has also announced plans to step away from his position. Although his resignation will not take effect until after the November 3rd election, Miner announced in September that he would not be completing his term as Town Clerk. In the meantime, he remains available to assist with time-sensitive matters, including birth and death certificates and election related responsibilities, until a replacement can be hired.

Field cited his responsibilities as owner/operator of John Field Tree Service as a factor in his decision. Miner, who resigned from the School Committee as well as Town Clerk, still serves as Assistant Fire Chief with the Sandisfield Fire Department.

In speaking with The Times, however, both expressed frustration with what they described as a challenging atmosphere surrounding Town government.

Field described what he sees as an increasingly negative environment, stating, "There is too much negativity in Town. If one side doesn't like your opinion, you're no good. I know the difference between right and wrong, and I do what I think is right. If people don't agree with you, you're a bad person. What I want to do is go back to my line of work and worry about that."

Miner similarly acknowledged that a lack of harmony had contributed to his decision to step aside.

While he expressed support for maintaining the Town Clerk position as an elected office rather than transitioning it to an appointed position, he recently encouraged the Select Board to consider holding a Special Town Election to fill the vacancy. See side bar above for his comments regarding keeping Town Clerk as an elected position rather than appointed.

Challenges Ahead

In an interview with The Times, Select Board Chair Steve Seddon also acknowledged concerns about divisions within the community. He pointed to recent scheduling conflicts among local nonprofit organizations, including competing community events that draw from the same pool of volunteers, vendors, and attendees.

Other recent disagreements, including the controversy surrounding improvements to the Transfer Station Swap Shop, have also generated considerable, as they say, discussion on social media and among residents. See Melissa Bye's Out on a Limb". Next month The Times will feature a discussion with the new volunteer monitors of the Swap Shop.

Relatively small, in fact insignificant events like these, if allowed to grow and fester, can help form a sense of Us vs. Them in a small town. In a small community, disagreements over seemingly minor issues can sometimes reflect broader challenges in communication and cooperation. What are the implications for Sandisfield for 2027 and beyond if cooperation becomes impossible, first in the small things and then increasingly in larger ones?

Maintaining constructive working relationships among Town officials, committees, organizations, and residents are crucially important to the community's ability to move forward.

What Comes Next?

The recent resignations leave questions about how the vacancies will be addressed.

Seddon said that the idea of holding a special election will be discussed at a Select Board meeting soon. "We just cleared the last Special Permit request, so I think much of our regular business can continue with two selectmen until the election at the Town Meeting. We'll have two open Select Board seats then, John's and the seat Jeff Bye is filling out for Bob Fedell."

Filling the Town Clerk position presents a different challenge. The position has been posted since early September and "no one has jumped up," Seddon said.

Seddon acknowledged the difficulty in filling the position and expressed his personal opinion that the Town Clerk should be appointed rather than elected. He noted that the position requires familiarity with state laws, regulations, and municipal procedures, and that he believes it is important for someone entering the role to have a strong understanding of those responsibilities.

Town Manager Janey Snyder emphasized the importance of continued community involvement and encouraged residents not to be discouraged from pursuing opportunities in local government.

"Serving the Town is an important responsibility," she said, "but it is also rewarding to make a meaningful difference in the community. We need residents who are willing to step forward, bring fresh perspectives, and contribute their time and experience. Public service inevitably comes with disagreements and challenges, but those should not overshadow the value of working together toward what is best for Sandisfield."

Fire Department Leadership

Asked about the search for a new Fire Chief, Seddon said a panel had been assembled to participate in the interview process and provide input.

The panel included Town Manager Janey Snyder, Select Board member Jeff Bye, Assistant Fire Chief Douglas Miner, and former Select Board member and current Firefighter/EMT Bob Fedell. Panel members participated in the interviews and had the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates.

Snyder, as Town Manager, is responsible for making the final hiring recommendation. Under the Town's governing provisions, the Select Board has a 14-day period to review and appeal the appointment.

Seddon indicated that he expected an announcement regarding the Fire Chief position in the near future.

Regional EMS Discussions

Seddon acknowledged that discussions are ongoing among Sandisfield, Otis, Monterey, and New Marlborough regarding potential regional approaches to addressing shared staffing challenges. The communities are exploring ways to work together to maintain dependable EMS coverage while considering the financial and operational realities facing each municipality.

As recently as October 26, representatives from the four Towns met to begin an open dialogue about potential regionalization opportunities. Discussions will continue among the Fire and EMS Chiefs, with recommendations and updates to be brought back to a larger group involving the Town Managers and Select Boards.

As these conversations continue, ensuring that Sandisfield residents have reliable emergency medical services remains a priority