Ryan Ruley and Brian Packish have announced they will not run for reelection to the Oak Bluffs select board this spring, leaving two spaces open on the town’s governing board. Mr. Ruley, the current chairman of the select board, announced he would not seek reelection in an update at the select board meeting Tuesday. Mr. Packish confirmed in a phone call with the Gazette Wednesday that he would also leave the select board at the end of his term.
“I have been pretty vocal the last two years that I wouldn’t be seeking reelection,” Mr. Packish said. “I believe there should be term limits in town government.”
Mr. Packish will leave the board following his second term as select person. He previously served for five years on the town’s planning board. He said that in his nearly six years on the board, he’s proud of the work the town has accomplished.
“I honestly feel like the town has never been in a better position,” Mr. Packish said. “I feel like we have the best staff, the best department heads . . . financially we’re in a great position.”
Mr. Ruley leaves the board at the completion of his first term. His position on the select board was his first in office, elected as a newcomer in 2020 in a four-way race with Mr. Packish, restaurateur Mike Santoro and Richard Weiss for two seats on the board.
At the meeting on Tuesday, Mr. Ruley did not elaborate on his reason for leaving the board, and requests for comment by the Gazette went unanswered by press time Thursday.
Mr. Packish said he is not ruling out further government involvement in the future, but noted that he feels it’s time for a few new faces on the Oak Bluffs select board.
“I think we got a lot done,” he said.
Town elections take place April 13, with nomination papers available starting Jan. 3.
Comments (6)
Comments
Comment policy »