COLRAIN — While he may be new to the Selectboard, Michael Slowinski is hardly a new face around town.
Nearly a lifelong resident of Colrain, Slowinski previously served 25 years as town moderator, in addition to several years on the Planning Board.
Currently, he serves as president of the West County Branch Cemetery Association, commissioner of the Franklin County Housing Redevelopment Authority and as a member of the Mohawk Trail Regional School Building Subcommittee. He’s also on the Finance Committee for St. Joseph’s Church.
Slowinski, who recently retired from his role as project manager for the Massachusetts Trial Court, was elected on June 15 to a seat on the Selectboard, adding yet another line to his resume of service to the town. He replaced member Eileen Sauvageau, who currently serves as the town clerk.
When he first agreed to run for Selectboard, Slowinski said, the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t quite the concern it later developed into.
“I think I’m up to the challenge as much as anyone can be,” he said. “This is a once-in-a-hundred-year event.”
He said the biggest issue the town faces right now are the potential fiscal challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That’s the big unknown,” he said. “There’s been no guidance from Boston. … We can’t blame Boston for this, they don’t know. No one knows.”
Tackling the fiscal challenges will require a collaborative effort amongst multiple town bodies, he said.
“It’s going to take a lot of energy and a lot of hard work on everyone’s part,” he said. “I think it will work.”
Slowinski credited the town being in “good fiscal shape” to the current Selectboard, with the help of Town Coordinator Kevin Fox.
“Kevin’s been good about making sure we put money away in stabilization,” he said.
As for other community initiatives Slowinski is looking forward to being part of, he noted the town’s 2018 designation as a Green Community by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.
“I did a lot of work for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” he said. “And I might be able to assist in whatever projects they come up with.”
Slowinski was a member of the second graduating class from Mohawk Trail Regional School, after which he moved to Baltimore to attend John Hopkins University. He worked in Baltimore for about 10 years before returning in 1984 to Colrain, where he has lived ever since with his wife. Together, they raised three children, all of whom still live in the western part of Franklin County.
He has eight siblings, he added, many of whom are also involved in various town boards or committees.
Slowinski said of his new role as a Selectboard member that he’s joining a team effort.
“I’m only one person,” he said. “It’s a three-member committee.”
Reach Mary Byrne at 413-772-0261, ext. 263 or mbyrne@recorder.com.