Making a better Shutesbury, together.

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

Why I’m Running

Shutesbury has been my home for 15 years. It’s a great place to live, and many of us share a love for its sense of community, outdoor spaces, and excellent school system. Here in Shutesbury, as everywhere in the Commonwealth, lower revenue and higher costs are creating diverse pressures on our town government. Through my 10+ years of service on the Finance Committee, I’ve built a deep understanding of how the town works, a clear picture of the challenges we face, and ideas on how to address them. Now I’m eager to apply and expand that understanding as a member of the Select Board.

Goals as a Select Board Member

I want to support the level of services our residents expect and develop solutions to ongoing and emerging challenges.

If elected, I intend to work collaboratively on issues that serve the town’s diverse resident population, including:

• developing creative revenue sources, 
• achieving ways to lower costs, 
• tapping into state resources to address PFAS, 
• sustaining our excellent school system while pursuing affordability, 
• preserving the town’s natural assets,
• supporting the ongoing development of our newest community resource, the Shutesbury public library,
• long term planning for capital and financial assets

As a member of the Select Board, I will apply the problem-solving skills I learned in my professional career as well as the extensive knowledge of our community I’ve built in a decade of volunteer work. And because I believe that collaboration and listening are the most crucial aspects of leadership, I will seek the input and ideas from people across departments and Shutesbury.

The bottom line: my goal is to help guide the town toward sustainable solutions that we devise together.

Shutesbury Service

Since 2015, I’ve been a member of the Finance Committee. I chaired the committee in FY2021 and FY2022 and have been the FinCom representative on the Personnel Board, Capital Planning Committee, and hiring committees for Police Chief and Fire Chief. I was also 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. From this work, I gained a deeper knowledge of how our town works, the needs and wants of my neighbors, and the evolving priorities for town government.

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 partner Shelly and I, along with our cat Grady, call Shutesbury our home. My children are grown and living elsewhere.

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.

Over the years, I’ve been committed to volunteer work that serves and builds community.

• Fundraising for A Better Chance, an Amherst organization supporting High School education for those in need
• Treasurer for a Foundation that supports disabled veterans education at Northeastern University
• Support assimilation of refugee family into Western Massachusetts

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

• To learn more about Jim’s priorities and experience, [click on] Questions and Answers page
• To learn about Shutesbury residents’ support of Jim, check the Supporters page
• To contact Jim, email him at jpwalton1211@gmail.com