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Select Board amends minutes after on‑record clash; member says mental‑health toll, considers resignation
Summary
The Select Board amended minutes to more fully reflect a heated exchange from a prior meeting. Board member Jay acknowledged the incident, said it has weighed on him amid major depression, and said he is weighing whether to resign (possibly effective at town meeting); other members urged reflection and outreach to the resident involved.
A contentious exchange between a resident and the board recorded in prior draft minutes prompted debate over how to accurately reflect the events and how to address the behavior on the record. Board members reviewed suggested minute language based on the meeting video and agreed to amend the minutes to include a fuller account of the interaction and a subsequent recess and apology.
During the discussion, board member Jay offered an extended personal statement. He said the incident and its aftermath have ‘‘weighed on me’’ and that he is ‘‘weighing whether it would not be best for the community if I didn't resign,’’ adding that he has been living with major depression and that the episode caused personal distress. Jay said he was considering options, including resigning effective at town meeting so the seat could be filled by an election rather than an appointment.
Board members responded by urging Jay to consider his mental health, to reach out to the resident involved, and by recognizing that public service can be stressful. Angela (who identified herself as the resident’s sister) told the board she had seen repeated attacks and encouraged Jay to take the time needed to address his mental health.
How it was handled: The board agreed to adopt amended minute language proposed by staff to make the record more specific about what happened, to record that a recess occurred, and to note that a board member offered an apology during the recess. Several board members urged direct outreach to the resident and individualized follow‑up on outstanding governance matters.
Next steps: Jay said he will take time to decide and that he will not leave the board ‘‘hanging indefinitely’’; he also said he would try to contact the resident. The board did not accept a resignation at the meeting.
