My name is Jim Walton, and I’m running for Select Board.

Background

I’ve lived at 75 Town Farm Road for 15 years. Because I love all kinds of outdoor sports and activities, I’ve found Shutesbury to be a great place to live. I grow vegetables here, too, so you know I’m not easily discouraged! My children are grown and living elsewhere. My partner Shelly and I, along with our cat Grady, call Shutesbury our home.

I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from Northeastern University in 1978. I worked for 42 years in industry, ultimately becoming North American Regional Manager of a healthcare products business in a German-based multinational corporation. There I was responsible for budget, profit, and sales growth, and I developed a whole new skill set in management and problem solving. Since leaving this job in 2020, I have been working with an engineering firm doing air quality installation, maintenance, and training for the State Department at our Embassies and Consulates worldwide.

Shutesbury Service

Beginning in 2015 I’ve been a member of the Finance Committee. I chaired the committee in FY21 and FY22, and have been the FinCom representative on the Personnel Board, Capital Planning Committee, and the hiring committees for the Police Chief and Fire Chief; I was involved in contract negotiations for the Fire Chief. Volunteering has been a labor of love. To this work I brought the skills I developed in my education and professional life, and from it I took away a deeper knowledge and understanding of how our town works, the needs and wants of my neighbors, and the diverse pressures on town government.

Goals as Selectboard Member

Here in Shutesbury, as everywhere in the commonwealth, lower revenue and higher costs are creating big challenges for our town government. How do we support the level of services our residents expect under these conditions? As a member of the Select Board, I hope to turn the problem-solving skills I learned in my professional career, as well as the extensive knowledge of our community that come from a decade of volunteer work, toward solutions that work for us all.

Thank you for visiting my website. I hope you will vote for me for Select Board this spring.