North Brookfield town clerk Tara Hayes resigns from four volunteer committees

Tara Hayes, North Brookfield town clerk, told the Board of Selectmen on July 15 that she is resigning from four volunteer committees, effective immediately for some and after a scheduled hearing for others. The board voted to accept her resignation. Hayes told the board her decision was driven by health concerns and by the “negativity on social media” that has increased her stress. "My resignation are effective immediately unless otherwise noted," she said, and added she needs to "focus on my health, my family, my role as town clerk, and the things that bring me happiness." Hayes said she will step down from the Parks and Recreation Committee and the Capital Improvement Planning Committee immediately, and will leave the Zoning Board of Appeals after a hearing scheduled for July 21. She also said she is stepping away from the Council on Aging because ongoing disputes have hampered the committee’s work and depressed senior participation. Selectmen moved to accept Hayes’s resignations and voted aye; the motion carried unanimously. The board discussed filling the vacancies during its annual appointments process. Hayes thanked the town for the opportunity to serve and said she will continue to support North Brookfield in other ways. "There are many passionate and capable individuals in town with great ideas and motivation to get things done," she said. The resignations add to a list of vacancies the board said it will fill this summer as part of annual reappointments.