To the editor:
No one is above the law. There’s been a violation of the Stockbridge town bylaws.
Just after Thanksgiving 2022, the part-time position of Council on Aging Director became available with compensation of $20 to $25 per hour. Roxanne McCaffrey, a former member of the Select Board, applied. According to the Stockbridge bylaws, however, a Select Board member must wait one year from the end of their term to be appointed to any paid town position.
A red flag should have gone off, and McCaffrey’s application should have been removed immediately from consideration. She was not eligible for any paid town position until May 17, 2023—one year after her last term ended. Her appointment is clearly a violation of Article III Section 5 which states:
“A selectman may not hold any other compensatory office or employment in Stockbridge Town Government during the term for which he/she is elected, nor hold any compensated appointive town office or employment for one year thereafter.”
This is where we are now. McCaffrey found a way around the bylaw. She waived compensation until May 17, 2023. Rather than looking for ways around the bylaw, everyone should follow our bylaws.
Anita Schwerner
Stockbridge
