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Residents warn of staffing crisis as Brookfield faces several recent resignations, including the water superintendent
Summary
Public commenters and select board members discussed multiple recent resignations across town departments — from police to highway and water — pointing to shifting statewide labor markets and local leadership or work‑culture concerns; residents urged exit interviews and greater transparency.
Multiple residents used the Jan. 6 Brookfield Select Board meeting to press the board about a spate of recent resignations across town departments, saying the trend threatens continuity of services.
The board acknowledged the resignation of Officer Lee Murphy and later the water superintendent. Residents tied some departures to higher pay or larger communities elsewhere but also urged the board to investigate local causes. "11 people just on one small department" said Bruce Clark in a public comment about the highway department, noting the loss of institutional knowledge as long‑time staff depart.
Some residents recommended exit interviews and more transparent follow‑up from department leaders to identify specific drivers of turnover. Dave Hulcraft noted broader regional movement of municipal staff to larger communities with higher pay, while others argued local leadership and workplace conduct had driven departures: "People have left because of the leadership in this town and the harassment that they have been going through," Holly Chisum said of town employees, adding specific praise for the departing water superintendent.
Board discussion flagged operational risks tied to the water superintendent’s departure. Bruce Clark (speaking as the resigning superintendent’s father) said the town has not maintained a secondary certified operator since a prior retirement and that regulatory coverage has changed since earlier eras, raising concerns about meeting Massachusetts regulatory obligations without additional staffing or capital work such as a manganese treatment plant within a multiyear horizon if coverage gaps persist.
The meeting produced no immediate formal personnel actions beyond acknowledging resignations; residents asked the board to prioritize exit interviews, better transparency, and a structured response to retain critical staff.
