The most critical agenda item was the appointment of a new conservation commissioner. Todd, a Shutesbury resident for seven years and a professor at UMass, was introduced as the recommended candidate for the position. He expressed a strong interest in environmental issues and a desire to contribute to the community. After confirming the Conservation Commission’s recommendation, the Board unanimously approved Todd’s appointment.

Another topic was the sponsorship of Gabe Sako for the police academy. The police chief presented Sako, emphasizing his community ties and military training as strong qualifications. Sako, a resident of New Salem, was proposed as a non-full-time department-sponsored applicant, which means he would attend the academy without receiving compensation. The chief assured the Board that Sako had agreed to repay the tuition and equipment costs if he left the position after training. The Board unanimously supported Sako’s sponsorship, reflecting optimism about his potential contribution to the department and the community.

Contract negotiations for the town administrator, which had been ongoing for nine sessions since the previous November, were also a focal point. The primary sticking points were financial concerns, particularly salary increases and cost of living adjustments (COLA). The discussion revealed that the town administrator had not accepted the proposed contract due to these financial issues. Two individuals, George Arvin Andis and April Stein, advocated for a merit raise in the first year of the contract to make subsequent COLAs more substantial. Concerns were also raised about the involvement of Mr. Arvin, a former Personnel Board member, in seconding a motion despite no longer being on the board. The validity of this vote was questioned, especially since job performance is not directly tied to salary increases. Additionally, the town administrator’s interview for another position in Deerfield raised concerns about loyalty to Shutesbury. The speaker concluded by urging the Select Board to consider initiating a search for a replacement town administrator promptly.

In addition to these major topics, the Board reviewed applications for the new Voting and Safety Committee. Given the large number of applicants—approximately 30—the Board decided to increase the committee size from seven to nine to accommodate the high level of interest and volunteerism. This decision was unanimously approved, and the selected candidates included Mark Rivers Jr., David Green, Alexandria Winder, Matt Barwick, Kathy Salvador, Amy Lan, Judy Remel, Tom Seer, and Christine Brazil. The new appointees were instructed to visit the town clerk’s office to be sworn in before participating in committee meetings.

The meeting also featured updates from the town administrator, including the deconstruction of the Dville Dam. The dam, under deconstruction since the previous Tuesday, was described as “three-quarters of the way gone,” with progress made using a large jackhammer. The removal of the dam and a beaver dam was noted to benefit local trout populations by allowing access to upstream areas. Additionally, the town administrator reported on the nearing completion of a project involving painting and trim work at a local school.

Another update involved the Municipal Vulnerability Program Grant, which the town had received. The grant, amounting to $222,000, required a 25% match from the town, consisting of cash and in-kind services. These funds were earmarked for acquiring a truck and installing solar panels on the library. The town administrator outlined the steps necessary to procure the truck and coordinate with library engineers for the solar project.

As the meeting concluded, the town administrator confirmed the next meeting would be scheduled for September 10th. The atmosphere remained constructive, with members engaging in light-hearted banter about their readiness for the next meeting.