Shutesbury Select Board signs Quabbin resolution, disbands police chief search committee

Select Board · Meeting of February 17, 2026

Shutesbury Select Board signs Quabbin watershed resolution and disbands police chief search committee at February 17 meeting. Acting with only two of three members present — Chair Eric Stocker and member Farrell, with Melissa Mayce O'Neill absent — the board approved six unanimous votes covering routine business and two consequential actions. The board signed a resolution calling on the MWRA to establish a Quabbin Community Trust Fund, grant watershed towns representation on its board, and reconfigure payment-in-lieu-of-taxes structures; Stocker credited State Representative Joe Comerford with organizing roughly eight Quabbin towns behind the effort and said the board would also seek endorsement at annual town meeting.

Police Chief Devin Pelletier reported 13 of 14 applicants for an open officer position lacked police academy credentials, telling the board, "I'm confident we'll find the right person — it's just going to take time." Town Administrator Haley flagged that Lake Wyola dam emergency repairs carry a projected construction cost of nearly $73,000 with no confirmed funding, a mid-March state grant deadline looming, and a possible warrant article at the May annual town meeting if the grant falls short.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of February 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.