LEYDEN — Longtime Selectboard member Jeffrey Neipp resigned at the end of Monday’s meeting, citing Leyden’s need to “move forward.”
Neipp, who most recently served as chair, made his announcement in a letter to Town Clerk Gilda Galvis that he read aloud to the public. The decision comes in the wake of recent controversy in town, including former police chief Dan Galvis’ sudden retirement in October (along with his wife, Gilda Galvis, who had been a police captain as well as town clerk) following a Selectboard review of racist, misogynistic and xenophobic emails he shared with other town employees and officers between 2015 and 2016; a series of concerns voiced by current Officer-in-Charge Mike Aiken, including allegations that “possibly a Selectboard member” was opening Police Department mail; and concerns from residents over the town’s retaining Galvis as emergency management director.
In spite of these circumstances, Neipp maintained that he feels his departure has come on a “high note.” Some residents who attended recent Selectboard meetings have been critical of how these situations were handled, however.
Neipp declined to comment after Monday’s meeting.
“I’ve said everything I wanted to say,” he told the Recorder, “but I thank you.”
The tone of the announcement, which was roughly six minutes long, was optimistic, while also acknowledging that the town had been through some challenges.
“We all know that we’ve been through, I don’t want to say a difficult process,” Neipp said, “but there’s a consensus in town, of America, of (Selectboard member) Bill (Glabach), of myself and many of the residents in town here that we want to move forward and start getting things done.”
Before adjourning the meeting, Neipp reiterated that there are “so many opportunities for this town to grow and build new friendships,” speaking highly of Leyden’s potential and the position he would be leaving the town in.
“I want to leave on a high note,” Neipp said. “I feel good where I am right now.”
Municipal Assistant Michele Giarusso said Neipp was on the Selectboard “many years ago” before taking a hiatus and then reprising his position. After a history of being chair “several times,” he last became chair in July.
“I’m sad,” said Galvis, the town clerk, about Neipp stepping down. “He did a great job and he’s done a lot for the community. People don’t realize how much he’s done for the community.”
Fellow Selectboard member Glabach said the board will operate with two members until June’s election fills the vacancy, with no special election anticipated in the interim. Erica Jensen is the other remaining member.
Giarusso said Glabach and Jensen will decide who acts as interim chair during their next Selectboard meeting. They will not meet next Monday.
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.