DeFazio will not seek re-election to Grafton Select Board

Select Board member Doreen DeFazio will not be seeking re-election, leaving the field wide-open for new members.

“Serving on the Select Board in my hometown has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I offer my sincere thanks to my constituents for giving me the opportunity to serve our wonderful community,” DeFazio wrote in a letter announcing her decision.

DeFazio was elected to the board in 2019 alongside Peter Carlson, who last week also announced that he would not seek re-election.

“As I turn to new and exciting chapters and as I consider the obligations of our Board, I cannot continue to commit to the level of attention this seat requires,” DeFazio wrote. “I look forward to new and diverse members of our community stepping up to run for this Board or public office in some other capacity. I have had the pleasure of serving with three women on this executive board over the years and hold an expectation that our Board continues making strides in representing the full diversity of Grafton’s residents.”

DeFazio’s time on the board came during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, but other challenges loomed for the town. DeFazio found herself the lone voice supporting former Town Administrator Tim McInerney, who separated from the town in July 2020. Town Administrator Evan Brassard was hired last year as a replacement.

DeFazio also served as the board’s representative on the Fire Chief Search Committee, a position for which she was uniquely suited: she did her capstone project on the Grafton Fire Department. She also served as the representative on the EDC, Library Building Committee, Open Space and Recreation Committee and the newly formed Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee.  

“I commend all of you who volunteer your time to serve our community in different roles and, particularly, I thank the hardworking municipal staff across all departments that drive our policies into action and keep our town running,” DeFazio wrote. “Thank you all for your dedication to our town and thank you in advance to those of you who will serve our community in the future.”

Grafton’s Town Election is May 17. Two candidates have pulled nomination papers for Select Board: Finance Committee member Andy Jefferson and Community Preservation Commission member Richard Whitney.

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