GREENFIELD — After 18 years as register of probate, John Merrigan is seeking a fourth six-year term to continue his work in the Franklin County justice system.
“I want to stay active in that area where we continue to bring resources and help to people in Franklin County,” he said. “And that’s why I’m committed to another term as register of probate.”
Merrigan is running unopposed on the ballot for the 2020 state primary election on Sept. 1. Mail-in voting and early voting are already underway.
First elected to the position in 2002, Merrigan said he wants to help continue the work of the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region — which he co-founded in 2013 — and help in the continued efforts to bring resources to rural Franklin County.
Prior to 2002, Merrigan served as a state representative for the 2nd Berkshire District, in the seat currently held by Paul Mark. In that capacity, he said, he was active in economic development projects, working closely with communities to secure funding for roads, bridges and schools.
“When I was in the Legislature, I was able to get Franklin County included in the bond bill for courthouse construction,” he said.
In his transition from the Legislature to the role of register — where he oversees all aspects of the Franklin Probate and Family Court — a big priority of his became the construction of the courthouse. The new courthouse, a $66 million project, opened in 2017 after more than a decade of planning.
The work of the Opioid Task Force, which he co-founded with the sheriff and district attorney, is also a point of pride for Merrigan.
“I think we’ve made a big difference in terms of making families aware, the community aware,” he said. “I think we were able … to understand it as a disease, and not look at it as a crime and punishment issue.”
Merrigan said he wants to continue working with task force’s leadership team in its efforts to secure funding in a part of Massachusetts that he says is “usually left out of the equation for state and federal resources.”
“I think continuing our work with the Opioid Task Force is important,” he said. “The leadership … continues to help this county in terms of securing grants.”
In addition to overseeing the budget, paperwork and scheduling of the Probate and Family Court, the register of probate also deals with the hiring of staff.
“I’m proud of all the staff we have there,” he said. “It’s a priority to me to make sure we handle the public in a courteous manner and people are dealt with in a timely manner. Having a staff of that caliber is my No. 1 priority.”
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263. Twitter: @MaryEByrne