Detroit voters opt to appoint positions

DETROIT – Town officials postponed the Detroit annual town meeting a week ago because only six people showed up during an ice and snowstorm.

On Saturday, they didn’t fare much better when nine people showed up.

Those nine residents voted to give the selectmen the authority to appoint the town clerk and the property and excise tax collector, rather than put the positions up for election, as has been the town’s practice.

Selectmen said they were concerned that such positions required specialized skills and training that an elected person might not have.

Town Clerk Kathy Walston has held both positions for years.

Voters also cut $2,500 in support to the Pittsfield Public Library as well as funding for some social service agencies. They approved $10,000 toward a townwide revaluation, which will be completed over the next two years.

The final budget was $269,525, an $8,000 increase over last year’s. The proposed budget had been $12,000 higher.

In elections held March 16, Ethan Kelly defeated two challengers for a selectman’s seat. Kelly got 37 votes, while challengers Frank Ring received 13 and Maria Sousa had 20.