Vincent Russo: Hilchey for Deerfield Selectboard

The May 5 annual town elections are almost here. As someone who bought my beautiful Deerfield home in 2023, it’s very important to me that members of our local government be accessible and responsive. Not only has Tim Hilchey been accessible, actively listens to concerns, offers clarifications, and is never dismissive, on every project he’s championed, Tim has worked hard and successfully to bring home state and federal dollars.

On sidewalks, Tim built teams, including leaders of the Police Department and DPW, to deliver safe sidewalks on Sugarloaf Street (paid for entirely by MassDOT), crosswalk safety lights on North Main Street (two state grants), and coming this year, a $500,000 sidewalk facelift for Elm Street, funded by a state Complete Streets grant. The Leary Lot had stalled for years. Select Board candidate David Wolfram had three years to help build the parking lot, and nothing happened. Tim assembled a team to create an entirely new design for the project. They secured a $2.46 million federal grant. A state Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant and federal ARPA money paid the balance. No local tax dollars were used. The high-speed EV chargers are attracting new visitors to our downtown businesses.

And no matter how you voted on the Tilton Library, Tim successfully led a 12-library campaign to get more money from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. As a result, the Tilton Library received an additional $471,000, reducing the final cost to residents.

I believe Tim has been a careful steward of our interests, and I appreciate all the time and effort he devotes to Deerfield. The decision is easy for me. Tim Hilchey for Selectboard. These are my personal viewpoints and not the views of any organization with which I am affiliated or represent.

Vincent Russo

Deerfield