By CHRIS COLLINS
(Deerfield, MA) — Deerfield town officials are taking a measured approach toward developing a new policy for public input at government meetings. The Deerfield Selectboard recently voted to seek legal advice from the town’s attorney before approving the new policy, the need for which has been underscored by a recent complaint by the ACLU of Western Massachusetts, which took issue with the board’s handling of public comment during a recent discussion over a controversial ZBA appointee, who happens to be a Deerfield Police officer. At two of those meetings, the selectboard chair suspended public comment, after concerns were raised that discussion of the ZBA appointme’s character might violate that person’s rights as a town official.