Lawsuit claims against Shutesbury officials still active in federal court
A lawsuit filed by a Shutesbury resident alleging First and Fourth Amendment violations against town officials remains active in federal court.Summary
A federal lawsuit brought by Shutesbury resident Michael Hootstein against town officials is still ongoing, with claims of First and Fourth Amendment violations remaining active. Judge Katherine A. Robertson denied summary judgment for a First Amendment retaliation claim against the library director, Mary Anne Antonellis, and a Fourth Amendment excessive force claim against former police chief Kristin Burgess. Hootstein, a hydrogeologist, filed the lawsuit in May 2023 after expressing concerns about potential contamination at the site of a new town library. The judge stated that a reasonable person could conclude that being detained by law enforcement might deter further speech regarding the library's location. While the town argued qualified immunity for the former police chief, the judge found they had not met their burden for summary judgment at this time. Hootstein expressed hope for a settlement and community healing, with the library expected to open in January.
(Source：Greenfield Recorder)