Harrington Steps Down From Adams Board of Selectmen
ADAMS, Mass. — Selectman Arthur "Skip" Harrington will step down after serving eight years on the board.
"It is with regret that I hereby submit this letter of resignation as selectman to be effective immediately," Harrington wrote in a letter to be read at Wednesday's Selectmen's meeting. "I am doing so for personal reasons and will very much miss working with you and the rest of the board members."
Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco confirmed Harrington was stepping down. When contacted for comment, Harrington sent iBerkshires his letter of resignation.
Harrington, whose seat would have been open in 2018, wrote that by bowing out now, he hopes it will give someone else a chance to run for the final year of his term before nomination papers are due later in March.
In his letter, Harrington thanked his fellow selectmen, administrative assistant Deborah Dunlap, Town Counsel Edmund St. John III and the people of Adams for their support and encouragement over the years.
Harrington, who was first elected in 2009, was a teacher in the North Adams Public Schools and had formerly been the town building inspector.
The former chairman was elected in a time of great change on the board and, along with former Selectman Jason Hnatonko, ousted two incumbent selectmen after the controversial departure of former Town Administrator William Ketcham. He was the top vote-getter in the selectmen's race all three times he ran.
During his tenure, he played a role in furthering the development of the Greylock Glen, the roundabout project, the Berkshire Scenic Railway, and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail extension.
Harrington said he hopes to still be involved in the trail extension project this spring in an ex-official capacity of the board as a liaison to the Berkshire Bike Path Council.
Jeffrey Snoonian, current chairman, said he will not be running for re-election, leaving two vacant seats to be filled in this election. Deadline for nominations is March 13. The town election is May 1 from 7 to 7 at the town garage.
Tags: election 2017, Selectmen,
