By Marcia Parnell
The Select Board recently issued a resolution affirming constitutional governance and the equal treatment of all Becket residents. The resolution does not establish new laws or protocols; rather, it reiterates the town’s commitment to existing state, federal, and constitutional frameworks.
Resident Amy Attias authored the resolution and explains she did so because, “it is important for the local governing body to say ‘we affirm and follow constitutional law,’” as a means of addressing any uncertainty vulnerable residents may have about roles and responsibilities in local governance.
Initiated in the early summer of 2025, Attias worked with Select Board members to fine tune the language, and the Resolution was approved by a Select Board majority in November 2025.
Select Board Vice Chair Bill Elovirta voted against the resolution. Said Elovirta, “To me, it was completely unnecessary. I’ve been a Police Chief, and the police are already governed by guidelines from a number of federal, state, and local organizations.” Part of the job, he added, is that “when you’re a police officer, you’re there to help one another.”
Read the Resolution in its entirety below.
- The Town of Becket, through its Select Board, is governed by the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Town aims to ensure that all persons living in, working in, or visiting Becket be treated fairly and equally regardless of national origin, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, immigration status, or political viewpoint.
- The enforcement of the nation’s federal civil immigration laws is solely the responsibility of the federal government, not the Becket Police Department or other Town departments. No Town police officer in Becket performs the functions of a federal immigration officer. The Select Board further states that the officers and other employees or volunteers of the Police Department affirm its current policy regarding immigration enforcement, including not inquiring as to a person’s immigration status unless such status is directly material to a criminal investigation or is otherwise required by law.
- Nothing in this resolution prevents Town police officers, employees, or officials from lawfully discharging their duties in compliance with applicable state or federal legal requirements, including, but not limited to, 8 U.S.C. §1373, in keeping with current practices, including if presented with a criminal warrant, court order from a court of competent jurisdiction, or other evidence of probable cause as required by the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. By this statement and resolution, the Town of Becket affirms its commitment to the rule of constitutional law.
