CHARLEMONT — Following about a year and a half of service on the Selectboard, Jonathan “Jay” Healy has stepped down, leaving a vacant seat that is expected to be filled during a special election next month.
“It’s certainly a loss for us,” said Selectboard member Marguerite Willis.
Healy explained that he runs Hall Tavern Farm with his family. At a certain point, issues surfaced that made him question whether serving on the Selectboard and running a business would become a conflict of interest. Healy stepped down in late summer when the State Ethics Commission ruled that having both roles “could potentially be perceived as a conflict.”
“I thought the best thing to do would be to remove myself from that so nobody would think that I was trying to use my personal position to help the farm,” he said.
Having previously served as a state legislator and agricultural commissioner, Healy brought years of experience to the position when he assumed the role in November 2018. He initially ran for Selectboard with the intention of using his expertise to help Charlemont negotiate for financial assistance as best he could.
“But mainly,” he said, “it was just about trying to help out and chip in. I’ve always felt that trying to help out a little bit if you can is part of what we should be doing.”
Healy recalled how being on the Selectboard was tough and time-consuming, as well as important and rewarding.
“It takes probably quite a bit more time and effort than people might think,” he said. “In terms of just looking at a relatively small town, there are still thousands of issues that are dealt with.”
While in office, Healy was impressed by how hard the board works, devoting a large part of its time to forms, questionnaires and information that is constantly asked of them by the regional, state and federal governments.
“It’s difficult to run a small town with essentially volunteer help,” Healy said. “The problems are large and sometimes the solutions are hard to come by.”
The COVID-19 pandemic quickly came to Healy’s mind as the most significant challenge the board faced during his time in office. Fighting to help the schools figure out how to prioritize both education and safety in a time when aid is becoming harder and harder to obtain, made the position “a very difficult job in a very difficult time.”
“With COVID and the situations for schools, it’s just exacerbated the problems that our towns have to deal with. … I don’t see state aid keeping up,” Healy said. “They’re all big challenges and it’s sometimes hard to find the perfect solution.”
Healy encourages people to do public service, but reminds potential candidates that it’s not an easy job.
According to the press release from Willis, a special election will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, from noon to 4 p.m. at Hawlemont Regional Elementary School to fill the vacant Selectboard seat. A Special Town Meeting will follow at 7 p.m.
To inquire about running for Selectboard, contact Town Clerk Kathy Reynolds at 413-339-4335 ext. 7 or email kathy.reynolds@townofcharlemont.org.