Big Changes on Selectboard

Chair Ted Murray and member Dave DeHerdt accepted with regret the resignation of Tom Ulrich, effective last Monday. The reasons for Ulrich’s resignation were not given. The chair expressed gratitude for the good service Ulrich had given to the town over the years. The seat will be listed as an unexpired term for town caucus next month and will remain vacant until the election in May. DeHerdt will take on Ulrich’s duties as liaison to the fire department and town boards.

Murray, who won a special election to fill a vacant seat on the board in October, also announced this evening that he will not run for re-election in May. He said that he came on the board with three goals in mind: to be the third member required to get the board working together; to resolve the controversies surrounding the police department; and to resolve the town’s budgetary problems. He feels he has made good progress toward all three goals and hopes to make more before his term expires in May. While time constraints prevent him from pursuing re-election, he hopes to continue to serve the town by working on special projects.

This means that next month’s caucus – where candidates are chosen to appear on the ballot for the election in May – is especially critical, since it will supply candidates for a majority of the selectboard.

Dave DeHerdt said he will be offering training sessions for prospective candidates to learn how the select board makes its decisions and what laws it operates under.

David King