Greenfield Select Board member Mason Parker, who has served on the board since 2021, resigned at a special Select Board meeting immediately after Town Meeting on March 15. 

Parker resigned before his term ends because he and his family are moving out of Greenfield. 

The other members of the board, Tom Bascom and Mike Borden, appointed former Select Board member and longtime resident George Rainier to fill Mason’s slot for the next year. 

Bascom said in a statement, “Following the resignation of former Chairman Mason Parker, the Select Board has appointed George Rainier to serve until the next election in March 2026. With extensive experience from his previous years on the Select Board, along with his experience on the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment, George brings a deep understanding of town government and current issues. We are thrilled that he is willing to volunteer his time on behalf of the town and join us in working together to keep our town moving forward.”

For the past 20 years, Rainier has served as the town’s volunteer clock-winder, maintaining the clockwork and bells in the belfry of the 229-year-old Meeting House. 

Rainer said the board had approached him “a while ago” about coming back to serve on the Select Board, but the date of Parker’s departure was not certain. 

“It’s been a long time since I sat in the board. I think my last time was in 2006,” Rainier said. “Aaron (Patt, Greenfield town administrator) asked me if I would consider coming back on the board, so I spoke with my wife about it and we decided, ‘Why not?’ Hopefully I can bring something to the board and the town.”

Rainier said he will have “big shoes to fill” succeeding Parker. 

“I’m sorry we lost Mason Parker. He was definitely a asset to the town. I worked him on the Planning Board, and he always had the best intentions and best interest of the town in mind , which I intend carry on,” Rainier said.

Rainer is excited to be back on the board. 

“I’m anxious to see what kind of changes have come about as far as how the town operates these days. I’m enthusiastically looking forward to my year ahead,” he said.