Whately and Sunderland Boards Plot Senior Center Path After Deerfield Backs Down

WHATELY -- June 29, 2026, Whately and Sunderland select boards jointly assessed the South County Senior Center crisis after Deerfield declined to submit an IMA withdrawal notice before a July 1 deadline, pushing any possible departure back by at least a year. Whately Selectboard Chair Nathaniel Waring said the episode had done lasting damage: "Even floating the idea of leaving is a huge blow to the trust." The two boards agreed their town administrators will co-draft a letter to Deerfield asking the town to honor the Board of Oversight's authority in finding a new Senior Center site, with the current Amherst Road lease expiring March 1, 2027. In separate action, the board unanimously approved a $3,245.23 expenditure from PEG capital funds for a Wasman AV broadcast upgrade to restore Channel 15 service, accepted a donated Kawasaki Mule UTV from the Whately Firefighters Association for mountain rescues, and ratified dozens of annual FY2027 appointments. Town Administrator Rebecca Torres also disclosed two Board of Assessors resignations received that afternoon, from Chair Jim Kowalik after 25 years and Administrative Assistant Steven Nestenpower effective August 1, leaving only one sitting assessor.