Shutesbury Select Board promotes McGuire to sergeant, delays clean energy permit deadline

Select Board · Meeting of March 3, 2026

Shutesbury Select Board unanimously promoted Officer Curtis McGuire to sergeant and voted to defer a new state clean energy consolidated permitting process until its October 1, 2026 mandatory deadline. The three-member board, chaired by Melissa Makepeace O'Neill with members Farrell and Eric Stocker, also signed a one-year extension of the town's solid waste contract with Casella and approved placement of rural school aid awareness banners on the Town Common during a statewide advocacy week, March 9 through 13 — part of a push to restore $60 million in state rural school aid rather than the governor's proposed $20 million. A lengthy discussion on mail-in voting for the upcoming local election ended without a vote, with Town Administrator Haley directed to consult with former Town Clerk Lisa about whether the town has capacity to administer the program amid a persistent vacancy in the clerk's office.

Energy Committee member Michael warned the board that under the new clean energy law, the town must also designate a local government representative to manage consolidated permit applications — a role with potential staffing and budget implications the board left unresolved pending town meeting.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of March 3, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.