Shelby Bronnes to step down from Royalston Selectboard

Shelby Bronnes at a Selectboard meeting in 2024. Bronnes has announced that she will step down at the end of February, citing family responsibilities.

Shelby Bronnes at a Selectboard meeting in 2024. Bronnes has announced that she will step down at the end of February, citing family responsibilities. FILE PHOTO BY GREG VINE

By GREG VINE

For the Athol Daily News

Published: 01-21-2025 12:28 PM

ROYALSTON – Voters at this year’s Town Election will have one more seat to fill on the Selectboard than originally anticipated.

Current board Chair Shelby Bronnes has announced that she will be vacating her seat at the end of February.

In an email exchange, Bronnes told the Athol Daily News that she announced her resignation “with a heavy heart, as this decision did not come easy.”

Bronnes, who gave birth to a son in August, explained, “Being a mom is an adjustment, to say the least. I am returning to work full-time, but I am also going back to school to earn my doctorate from Tufts School of Medicine. I no longer have the time to give this town the attention that it deserves, and my family and career need to take precedence.

“I have loved my time on the board. I have learned so much and have met so many great people. I plan on still being an active member of my community in any way I can, and hope to return to the board someday. I don’t mean to let anyone down. I hope they can understand that I am 29 years young and there will just be too much on my plate.”

Bronnes mounted a successful write-in effort when she ran for an open seat on the Selectboard in 2023, defeating Ryan Hood – whose name appeared on the ballot – by a margin of 138-122. She was elected to fill a seat held by longtime community activist Chris Long for 12 years. At that time, Bronnes said she had been “pleasantly surprised” at the outcome.

Royalston’s Town Election is scheduled for Monday, April 7. Nomination papers for potential candidates will be available until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Positions to be filled in this year’s election, including length of term and incumbent, are: Selectboard, three years, Mark Thompson; Selectboard, one year, Shelby Bronnes; Town Clerk, three years, Barbara Richardson; Constable, three years, Sherry Miner; Assessor, three years, Gary Winitzer; Cemetery Commission, three years, Michael Richardson; Board of Health, three years, Andrea Crete; Library Trustee, three years, Jeffery Mangum; Planning Board, five years, Kyle Nartowicz; Trustee of the J.N. Bartlett Fund, one year (four seats), Nancy Melbourne, Gary Winitzer and two vacancies; Athol Royalston Regional School Committee, Royalston, three years; Brittney Newton; Athol Royalston Regional School Committee, Athol, three years (three seats), Lee Chauvette, Tammy Duquette and Laura Robinson.

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Anyone interested in running for office should contact Town Clark Barbara Richards at 978-249-0493, visit the town clerk’s office between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesdays at Whitney Hall, 5 School St., or email townclerk@royalston-ma.gov.

Polls on April 7 will be open at Town Hall, 13 On the Common, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The last day to register to vote in the election is Friday, March 28. The town clerk’s office will be open that day from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.