ATHOL — After serving in a variety of capacities for much of his adult life, Lee Chauvette has announced plans to step back from public service and not seek re-election to the Athol Royalston Regional School Committee this April.

Chauvette, 57, currently serves as chairman of the committee, a post he has held several times.

“This April will complete pretty much 40 years of service to Athol, to the region,” he said. “I served as a firefighter in Athol and I also served as the town’s first full-time deputy fire chief. I served nine years concurrently as a selectman while on the School Committee; I have just about 20 years on the School Committee.

“I’ve actually been trying to get off the School Committee. But around 2013, what ended up happening, that was the time when ACES (Athol Community Elementary School) was being planned and Chet Hall kept bugging me to stay on the committee. He wanted me to see the elementary school project through. But then, in January 2014, Chet passed away and I made a decision that I would honor his request and I would stay one more term. Well, that was 2014 and here we are in 2022.”

Hall also was a member of the School Committee, representing Royalston for a number of years.

Asked why he made his decision, Chauvette replied, “No other reason, really, than I think I’ve done my time, and I’m a firm believer that other people can certainly step up and perform the duties. I like the notion of having parents on the School Committee who can help make the educational system better for the kids who are there right now.

“I’ve had no issues doing it, but my kids are grown, they live on their own, and I just think it’s time for me to move forward and do some other things that I’d like to do. There’s no major issue that’s factored into my decision other than that.”

Looking back, Chauvette expressed satisfaction with some of the developments in the school district over the past two decades.

“I’ve had a pretty good run,” he said. “I came onto the committee at the end of the middle school project, so I was able to see that constructed. Then, of course, I on the building committee for ACES and I was also active with renovation/rehab project at the high school.”

In addition to his work on the committee and the selectboard, Chauvette added, “I was on the Needs Assessment Committee that built the new police station where it is now. I’ve done a lot of things in the region, in the community, but, again, I just feel it’s time so slow down.”

Chauvette said his decision not to seek re-election doesn’t mean his work in public service is over.

“I think what my involvement will end up being, turning into, is more or less in a volunteer circumstance. If there is a fundraiser, or if there’s a need for a building committee,” he explained. “Some people still have a desire to see a new track facility at Athol High School. So, I would definitely serve on a committee like that. I don’t envision actively seeking election again.

Chauvette said people have expressed their desire to write him in for the committee in the next election, but he’s asked them not to. Others have asked him to run for selectman, since not being on the committee means he’ll have the time.

“Well, the whole point of my decision is to have free time,” he said.

Chauvette said his proudest moments as a member of the committee center around something that happens every year.

“The proudest moments for me, certainly beyond the new buildings and all that other stuff, is every time I watch a graduating class walk across that podium, knowing that they’ve met their requirements and get their diploma,” he said. “I think that’s the time I think you really realize you’ve contributed a service to those students and helped them; they’re moving on into their adult life.”

Chauvette’s decision not to run will leave at least two vacancies to be filled in this year’s town elections in Athol and Royalston. Mitch Grosky, who, as of April, will complete his ninth year on the committee, announced in December that he would not seek reelection.

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

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