SHUTESBURY — A lawyer whose earlier professional life included covering land-use boards as a news reporter will be joining the town’s Conservation Commission, despite objections from some residents that the appointment could create complications for reviewing projects in and around Lake Wyola.

The Selectboard last week voted unanimously to appoint Mare Fox of Haskins Way to the vacancy on the five-member commission. Fox told the Selectboard that “the learning never stops” and, during an interview with the commission, she has no agenda.

“I have a strong interest in the environment, so I thought this would be a good fit,” Fox explained.

Board members chose Fox over Erin Jacque of Montague Road, the wetlands administrator for Amherst. Both had been put forward by the Conservation Commission following interviews on Dec. 12.

A main concern for members of the Selectboard centered on a letter Jacque had published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Greenfield Recorder and Amherst Bulletin in 2023, expressing worries about the Selectboard’s role in developing a wetlands bylaw, which would later be adopted at Town Meeting in 2024, and the regulations associated with the bylaw.

“When we get these criticisms and they’re not based in fact, it troubles me,” said Selectboard Chair Rita Farrell.

Selectboard member Eric Stocker agreed.

“You’ve written all this stuff about us, basically calling us everything under the sun,” Stocker said to Jacque. “Well, why would I appoint you? That’s basically what it comes down to for me.”

Stocker read excerpts from Jacque’s published letter, which stated the Selectboard had tried to “control and limit access” to counsel for the Conservation Commission and “override” its statutory responsibilities. The letter also called on voters to pay attention to “this type of meddling by the Selectboard.”

Jacque said she’s not a political person and wrote the letter expressing disagreement with the board’s actions at the time.

“If you don’t appoint me, my feelings aren’t going to be hurt,” Jacque said, adding that she believes it’s possible to find common ground through conversation.

The 3-0 vote came after Sharon Weizenbaum, a member of Smart Solar Shutesbury, used public comment to appeal for Jacque’s appointment, due to her expertise in wetlands matters. Weizenbaum also suggested that Fox had been recruited, though didn’t identify by whom.

“It appears to the public this was an orchestrated thing,” Weizenbaum said.

Weizenbaum also signed onto a longer memo about the possibility that the appointment of Fox, due to her living close to two current members of the commission, will occasionally mean the commission will lack a quorum. Three of the five commissioners now will have to recuse themselves from matters on certain properties at Lake Wyola.

Jill Buchanan, who also is part of Smart Solar Shutesbury, called the meeting “disappointing” because the Selectoard passed over the most qualified candidate.

At the commission meeting where recommendations had been made, Conservation Commission Chair Beth Willson praised both candidates.

“I think Mare Fox would do a great job with her experience as a lawyer and her experience just working with land-use groups as a reporter,” Willson said.

Town administrator search

In other business, the Selectboard, appointed most of the Town Administrator Search Committee that will oversee a work plan, running through February, for identifying the next town administrator. Town officials are seeking a successor to Town Administrator Becky Torres, who left for a job in Sunderland in November after 15 years in the role in Shutesbury.

The search committee will include Police Chief Kristin Burgess, Finance Committee member Bob Groves, a Personnel Board representative and residents Frank McGinn, Michael DeChiara and Elaine Puleo. Farrell will be the Selectboard representative.

Gabriele “Gabe” Voelker, who is serving as the interim town administrator, will be a non-voting member of the committee. Voelker previously worked as the town’s treasurer and was town administrator in Orange before retiring in March 2023.

The main work for the committee begins in January, with screening done in executive session, starting Jan. 15, followed by reviewing resumes and selecting candidates to publicly interview. Voelker said three applications have already come in.

The advertisement posted states Shutesbury has a population of 1,721 and is seeking “a highly motivated and organized individual with strong communication and management skills” who would be “responsible for the oversight and management of the town’s daily operations.” Candidates should have five years of experience in an administrative or management position, with a preference for those coming from a municipal setting.

The starting salary is up to $85,000.

Resumes and cover letters can be sent as PDF attachments to townadmin@shutesbury.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.