North Brookfield appoints Alexandra Smachinski as animal control officer

The North Brookfield Board voted Sept. 9 to appoint Alexandra Smachinski as the town’s animal control officer following a brief presentation by the candidate and a voice vote in favor. The appointment matters because the town currently lacks a permanent animal control officer and Smachinski told the board she has relevant local experience and training that the board said would allow the office to operate immediately. Smachinski told the board she has served as the assistant animal control officer in Brookfield for about eight months and has completed the ACO core class. She said she works as a veterinary technician in Rutland and is studying for certification in that field. "I've been the assistant ACO in Brookfield for about 8 months. I completed the, ACO core class," Smachinski said. During the meeting, board members praised her resume and moved to appoint her. The motion was seconded and the board approved the appointment by voice vote; all present answered "aye." Board members also asked procedural questions about swearing-in. A board member asked whether Smachinski needed to be sworn in; another member said the appointment "falls under the list" of positions that require swearing-in, and that the appointee would be sworn in as appropriate. Smachinski also said she had worked briefly as an animal inspector in another nearby jurisdiction and that she had been in touch with the town’s animal inspector supervisor for guidance. The board welcomed her and said they would complete any required onboarding steps. No budgetary changes or ordinances were proposed during the appointment; the action on Sept. 9 was a personnel appointment only. Looking ahead, the board indicated it would complete required paperwork and any formal swearing-in at a subsequent meeting or as required by town policy.