Selectboard chair steps down
Krasnow will remain on the board; Jim Faulkner replaces him as chair
It’s the end of an era. Selectboard Chair Matt Krasnow is stepping down from his leadership position, though he will remain on the board. In open session at tonight’s meeting, Krasnow informed his colleagues on the Selectboard that he’s leaving his position as chair in order to spend more time with his family--his wife is expecting their third son in the coming weeks. His resignation takes effect on October 10.
“I’m feeling like I really don’t have the bandwidth to do service to the town in meetings as chair of the board,” Krasnow said. After a lot of thought about how I can best serve the town, and really prioritize the time commitments both professionally and also be home at a really special time...I’m thinking I need to step down from chair of the Selectboard.”
Krasnow nominated to elect Selectboard member Jim Faulkner as his replacement; Louise McCarren seconded the motion. Krasnow said he has worked closely with Faulkner, and said he “has the time and experience to devote to it, and is putting in a lot of time in helping me since March,” Krasnow said. “I think he’s just doing a great job and I think it would be a smooth transition.”
“I don’t agree with making it a two-part motion with picking your own successor,” Selectboard member Frank Tenney said during the motion discussion period. “That has nothing to do with whether Jim is capable or not capable. I just think they should be two separate motions.”
Krasnow said he felt like part of his responsibility on his way out as chair is “offering a suggestion about how leadership should move.I did want to make a two-part motion and see what the board thinks of it.”
Tenney pointed out that when the Selectboard chooses a chair in the spring after Town Meeting Day, the outgoing chair doesn’t choose the next one. Krasnow declined to make his motion again as two parts. Faulkner chimed in to say he thinks it’s important that Tenney remain as vice chair, and that he values his institutional knowledge and experience.
The board approved Krasnow’s motion unanimously.