WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Jeffrey Johnson announced Monday that he will be stepping down from his seat on the Select Board.

 

Johnson, citing health issues, told his colleagues at the end of the meeting that the decision to resign was necessary but mentioned that it made him angry.

 

"The biggest people should know is I'm doing OK," the second-term Select Board member said. "But this is what I have to do. I've never quit anything. … I almost just swore for the first time in public because of how I feel about it."

 

Johnson was elected to the five-member panel in 2021 after serving as an original member of what then was known as the Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity Committee.

 

In 2024, he was re-elected in an uncontested race to a second three-year term.

 

His departure will give the board an opportunity for the second time in two years to appoint a community member to fill the remaining months on an unexpired term. Last September, it appointed Matthew Neely to occupy the seat formerly held by Andrew Hogeland until May's town election; Neely subsequently was elected in his own right to a full three-year term of a different departing board member.

 

Shana Dixon was elected to a one-year term in May in the seat that Hogeland won in 2023.

 

If the board chooses to fill Johnson's seat, the appointee then would have the option to run next May to serve until the 2027 election, when Johnson would have been up for re-election.

 

Johnson shared at Monday's meeting that he had what is referred to as a "widow maker" heart attack in February, a health crisis that led to his missing a few meetings, but he has been a fully participating member of the board in the spring and summer.

 

"I've received so much support from this group and so many people in town," Johnson said on Monday. "I've never felt more loved in Williamstown.

 

"But, where I'm at, I need to focus my attention on my health, my family and my professional position. … I wanted to make sure I was here to get through the tax vote. I also watched the full READI Committee meeting, and I do have some thoughts and ideas. I want to see that through. So I'll work with [Town Manager Robert Menicocci and Select Board Chair Stephanie Boyd] on the right time to leave."

 

Monday was the board's annual tax classification hearing. READI, the recently renamed Race, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, is in the process of reconsidering where it fits in town government.

 

While recognizing that Johnson has not given a formal date for his departure and likely will be will the group when it meets in early September, a couple of board members used Monday's meeting to express their gratitude for his service.

 

"Jeff, you've been invaluable to me personally, and, I think, to everyone," Neely said. "Your contribution has been enormous. It's been a pleasure working with you. And I'm really sorry we have to part ways, at least here."

 

"Thank you very much, Jeff, but we're not saying goodbye right at this moment," Boyd added. "We all really appreciate your service on this board, and you've shown us how to care for this community. That will be your biggest legacy."

 

Johnson said he wanted to announce his plans during Monday's meeting, in part, to provide a shout out to residents who may be interested in applying to serve on the body through May.

 

And he said his colleagues will hear from him even after he leaves.

 

"[Leaving] wasn't on the radar," Johnson said. "It was probably the easiest decision I've ever made. It's hard, because I'm a selfless person. But I've gotta do this. I have grandkids who better not be born for another eight years that I want to hold and all that stuff.

 

"You'll still hear from me. I'll ways be here to help out this board, future boards, whatever."