CHESHIRE, Mass. — Town newcomer Sara Lacombe has been appointed as the town's representative for the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts. 

 

The program is a "homegrown effort" dedicated to conserving forests and enhancing the re­gion's rural, land-based economy across 21 towns in Northern Berkshire and Western Franklin counties. 

 

The town's seat has been vacant for more than four years. 

 

"When I heard that there was this opportunity and it had been vacant for a while. I'm here to just represent the town," Lacombe said. 

 

The town has quickly found a place in Lacombe's heart since she moved there in December of last year, inspiring her to do what she can to give back to the community.

 

"[The Woodlands Partnership] is a really nice mix of conservation, environment, and rural economic development," she said …

 

"I love the outdoors. We live on Notch Road and couldn't have found a better place to call home." 

 

The Selectmen welcomed Lacombe to the appointment during its meeting on Tuesday, during which she outlined her background as a leadership and career coach. 

 

"I've been doing it for 35 years, working with individuals and organizations to empower them to understand their strengths, and how to align with those strengths…with the work that they're doing… to be both effective, but also be happy in what they're doing," she said. ?

 

"I started my career working in some pretty tough places, and saw people who were smart and just were in the wrong place. And it was painful to see them being let go. I share that because I think there are a lot of opportunity to work with what Cheshire and this county has." 

 

Lacombe emphasized that she is not looking to bring the city mentality to her role; rather aims to preserve what Cheshire has to offer. 

 

"But also just make it even more attractive in a way that preserves the history and the charm at the same time makes it sustainable for people to live here," she said. 

 

She also highlighted her experience living in Berlin and Poland during the Cold War era. While living in Berlin there was an independent study around the impact of coal on the Black Forest, and the environment. 

 

Given Lacombe's enthusiasm to serve the town, Selectwoman Michelle Francesconi also demonstrated that the town has a fence viewer position open as well. The position in Cheshire has been vacant for more than six years.

 

The fence viewer is a historic position that now carries very limited responsibilities because of demographic changes in the community over the years.

 

According to the state website, a fence viewer is a local public official, typically elected or appointed in rural communities, who helps resolve disputes involving property boundary fences between neighboring landowners.

 

The position dates back to early colonial and agricultural communities, when fences were essential for containing livestock and defining property lines.

 

Lacombe expressed an interest in the the role and Town Administrator Jennifer Morse said she would send her the details.