Letter: Support Tim Hilchey for Selectboard

Published: 04-24-2025 9:05 AM |
Not long after Tim Hilchey moved to Deerfield, I got a call from him. He introduced himself and said that he had recently retired, wanted to meet, and talk about volunteering in the community. We met for coffee at the Dunkin’ Donuts and he told me about his background, that he had roots in Franklin County and that when he and his wife Pat retired, they chose to live in Deerfield.
It was not long afterward that the town moderator appointed Tim to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). At that time, I was also a member of the CPC, and I quickly learned of Tim’s strong work ethic and willingness to commit significant time to fully learning the legal ins-and-outs of the processes by which the committee evaluated applications for funding and determined which ones qualified for consideration at annual Town Meeting. When the Selectboard appointed Tim to the Conservation Commission, he volunteered to be the commission’s representative to the CPC.
Go forward to 2022, when Tim decided to run for the Selectboard, and won. Tim has approached his board duties as a full-time job. Along with the board’s other members, he has helped accomplish so much in his first term. Established businesses in South Deerfield are doing well, and new businesses have built new facilities. The municipal campus plan is moving forward, preserving historic buildings while creating a more effective, efficient and attractive downtown. The long-awaited Leary Lot (paid for entirely by grants) is a reality. Tim is committed to continue seeking out and securing large state and federal grants on all future projects to keep costs down for taxpayers.
Please join me in re-electing Tim Hilchey to the Selectboard on May 5, so he may continue the excellent service he has provided to this community.
Alan Swedlund
Deerfield