Another example of out of control small town politics--as if we really need another example! Grapevine has it that Leverett Select Board wants to merge with Shutesbury PD. Staff from both PD's don't approve, but it seems like the fix is in. Both towns recently created "police advisory committees" to 'study' the most likely already decided issue. QUESTION: Can anybody out there cite a currently succesful example of this arrangement in western Mass, southern VT/NH or NW CT? Interested parties need to know this info. If you know of unsuccesful arrangements, let me know stating the reasons why it didn't work. I'm looking for a regionally applicable example, not somewhere out west or down south where this might work given the preeminence of County Govt and wide open spaces. Shutesbury is unionized and Leverett is not. Both towns are quite similar in population and demographics. For the record, LPD officers are united in their support of OIC Kelson Ting who deserves the Chief's job. Leverett Selectboard is biased against him for reasons that are a complete mystery to LPD. Absolutely no complaints about him from the public, just a few inside rats in town who are envious of his success and hard work ethic. We write more tickets that towns 5 times our size, get all the grants we can, take it easy on the locals, everybody gets road job details, pay is processed on time...what more do they want? Tx