Sheffield Select Board Welcomes New Town Administrator on His First Day

SHEFFIELD — July 6, 2026 — Sheffield installs a new town administrator and absorbs four resignations in a single July 6 session. Doug Newton, a Watertown veteran with a master's in public administration, began his first day as Sheffield's town administrator, succeeding a predecessor who served roughly six years and will remain available in an advisory role. The Select Board, meeting with what appeared to be a two-member quorum, accepted resignations from Police Officers Caden Shafirov and Matthew Mercier, Treasurer-Collector staffer Shawna Roche (departing for Stockbridge), School Committee member Bonnie Silvers (who stayed through budget approval before stepping down), and Cultural Council member Judith Reinauer — approving letters of thanks in each case. The board made four FY2027 appointments — Kathy Orlando to the Agricultural Commission, Megan Lawrence to the Cultural Council, Nadine Howard to the Planning Board, and Pat Levine to the Zoning Board of Appeals — and approved a National Grid utility pole permit and a residential curb cut at 246 County Road. Resident Tate Collins presented a privately funded proposal for a freeze-resistant Main Street hydration station estimated at $7,500 to $11,000, which the board praised but sent back for more design and cost detail before any formal action.