MIDDLEBURY — Members of the Middlebury selectboard on Feb. 27 presented their colleague, Susan Shashok, with a resolution honoring her for her contributions to the town.
Shashok confirmed in January she wouldn’t seek another term on the selectboard. An East Middlebury resident and owner/operator of the Caroline’s Dream skin care products company, Shashok was appointed to the board in 2011, succeeding Janelle Ashley. Shashok had been a longtime civic leader and a water system operator in East Middlebury prior to joining the board.
She established herself as a key player on the selectboard, first as leader of the town’s Recreation Committee and then as chairwoman of the community’s Infrastructure Committee. She leaves as vice chairwoman of the panel.
While Shashok said the past year was one of the most enjoyable she’s experienced on the board, she decided to step down to spend more time with her family and give more attention to Caroline’s Dream.
“I prepared my questions for every meeting and always expected to be asked many in return,” Shashok said of her approach to the elected position. “It is wonderful to have this resolution, which reflects the trust I gave to others and in return, they gave to me.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
The resolution in part credits Shashok for “championing the Middlebury River Flood Resiliency Project,” her contributions to the Middlebury Community Television board, and the role she played in planning some large municipal projects, such as the new municipal building and downtown rail bridges.
Through it all, she “maintained an attitude of professionalism and courtesy and genuine caring for the concerns of citizens in the towns,” the resolution concludes.
Looking ahead, three candidates are vying for two open spots in the Middlebury selectboard in the March 6 municipal elections: Incumbent Selectman Farhad Khan, former Selectman Gary Baker and resident Lindsey Fuentes-George.
Reporter John Flowers is at [email protected].