The Great Barrington Select Board reopened its town manager search and appointed new screening-committee members to replace two members who declined to continue, following a contentious discussion about committee balance and representation.

Under charter rules the screening committee has seven seats; five prior members agreed to continue and the board needed to appoint two replacements. Board members proposed multiple nominees from a prepared list. Select Board debate included disagreement over whether both appointees should be former select‑board members or whether the committee should include more community members without prior board service.

After motions, the board appointed Peter Fish and Bethlyn Young Taft to the screening committee. Some board members and public commenters objected to appointing past select-board members to the panel; resident Claudia Shapiro said she was “adamantly opposed” to appointing former select members and urged a broader, citizen-centered roster. Other board members argued experience with municipal governance is valuable for the screening process.

Why it matters: The screening committee will vet applicants and recommend finalists for town manager, a key executive role that supervises town operations. The board said the committee composition is important because the manager search is consequential for municipal operations and the town’s direction.

Next steps: The seated committee will begin screening candidates; if appointed members decline, the board said it will reconvene to fill vacancies. The board also noted the candidate pool from prior recruitment remains available for consideration.