Woodstock vice chair Laura Powell resigns, cites threats to staff and volunteers

Laura Powell, vice chair of the Woodstock Select Board who was serving as acting chair, announced her resignation to the municipal manager effective May 11.

"I'm tendering my resignation to the municipal manager effective on May 11," Powell read during the meeting, saying that staff and volunteers had been subjected to threats and harassment including offensive signs and legal threats against supporters. She told the board she had been honored to serve, listed recent accomplishments (the aqueduct purchase, sewer plant renovations, and new local options tax), and said the decision followed unacceptable behavior toward municipal employees.

Board members and residents responded with emotion and support. Select Board member Cliff Johnson thanked Powell for her service; another member said the town would keep working to fill the seat so governance could proceed. Resident Roger Logan told the meeting he was "sad and angry," calling the harassment a threat to the town's volunteer base. Wendy Marinan, a village resident, said she was "heartbroken" and urged the community to stop the threats.

The board discussed next steps for maintaining quorum and proposed opening an application process to fill the vacancy; staff said it would send application language and the board indicated a May 25 application deadline with a possible appointment at the May 28 meeting so the town could continue business while an August election remains scheduled to fill seats.