WHATELY – Rest assured, Jonathan Edwards isn’t going anywhere.

After 18 years of service on the Selectboard, Edwards, currently the chair, is not running for re-election.

Selectboard chair is one of many hats he wears in local government, so he will still be a frequent presence in Town Hall.

Brian Domina, town administrator for the last six years, worked closely with Edwards. He found the chair an effective leader who knows the importance of contributing to town governance.

“The Selectboard is really just the tip of the iceberg that people see,” Domina said. “He’s on the board of oversight for the senior center. He’s on the board of oversight for South County Emergency Management System (SCEMS). He’s on the Community Preservation Committee. He’s on the Open Space Committee. He was the chair of the Recreation Commission for a long time … [and] he’s been on numerous boards and committees that predated my time here.”

Edwards’ dedication to the board impressed those who shared responsibilities with him. Current board member Fred Baron commented on Edwards’ commitment to serving all constituencies.

“He always has the best interests of the whole population of the town at heart,” Baron said. “He served eighteen years now, so he’s been dedicated.”

Edwards recently introduced a motion to reduce the charge for low-income residents enrolling in the town’s unified water district, an example of his efforts to equally represent all town residents. In that discussion, he also sought fair consideration for residents living in the hills of west Whately and the town center.
A former colleague on the board, Paul Newlin, recalled how Edwards and the board spent many hours working to create that water system for the town. “We had to raise a lot of money to provide water for east Whately,” he said, “which we all did together.”

Edwards took a regional view of civic service, rather than solely focusing on the town. Still, Newlin understood Edwards’ belief in the importance of helping run the town.

“He’s really one of these people who believes in public service,” Newlin said. “His motives were very heartfelt and sincere, and he wanted to do the best he could for the town of Whately … I applaud him for that.”

Edwards ran for lieutenant governor and state representative, efforts to broaden his influence and impact. Closer to home, he pursued regional initiatives like SCEMS, and sought to strengthen South County Senior Center, which serves three towns, through his ongoing service to the center.

“I would say SCEMS is one where we were both involved a lot,” said Joyce Palmer Fortune, also a current board member, “back when we were just trying to get it started. He ended up on the Board of Overseers, after it got started, so I have been less involved in recent years.”

Domina recalled Edwards’ central role in the long and laborious process of figuring out the fate of the Town Hall. A building committee was tasked with figuring out what to do with the town administrative offices, split between Town Hall and the Center School. After a number of years, “at about the 23rd hour,” the Sandy Lane property became available.

“The decision was made by the townspeople to move the town offices there,” Domina recalled. “Then the question was, what to do with the Town Hall? He was a part of all that decision making and process.”

The Town Hall rehabilitation project frustrated Newlin. “The job gets difficult,” he said, “when voters reject the efforts of the board and invalidate months or even years of work. Jonathan was as frustrated by that as I was.”

Edwards could not be reached for comment. He recently entered a new and demanding chapter in his professional career. He will also be stepping down to spend more time with his family, hours he previously devoted to the Selectboard. Newlin praised Edwards for those hours, his attention to detail, and the good spirits he brought to the work of leading the town.

“I admired the fact that he put all that time into it,” Newlin said. “It’s easy to get dragged into all that stuff. Then people show up in the audience and tell you their private concerns. You have to consider their input and do the best you can. Jonathan did that. Hats off to him.”

Edwards will be hanging up his selectman’s hat after town elections, scheduled this year for June 14. Nomination papers for candidates for Selectboard and other positions on the ballot can be submitted to Town Clerk Amy Schrader until 5 p.m. on May 10.