Chicopee recommending committee forwards two mayoral appointees to Council on Aging

A Chicopee City recommending committee interviewed two mayoral appointees for the Council on Aging and voted to forward both nominations to the full City Council for final confirmation on Oct. 7.

The committee first interviewed Melissa McCaffrey, who said she works in elder services and is an adult protective services supervisor with Highland Valley Elder Services. "My name is Melissa McCaffrey. I work in elder services. So I am an adult protective service, supervisor for Highland Valley Elder Services. I thoroughly enjoy working with the older adult population," McCaffrey said during her interview. Committee members thanked her for volunteering and noted her professional background as relevant to council work. The recommending committee voted to approve forwarding McCaffrey's appointment to the full City Council; the appointment would take effect on Aug. 5, 2025, with a term expiring Aug. 1, 2028, according to the materials presented.

The committee then interviewed Elizabeth Shahin, who described a long history of health-care and volunteer work. "I've been a nurse for 41 years... I've been volunteering with the senior center for 15 years," Shahin said, adding she serves in multiple capacities at the senior center, including driving and working in the lunchroom. Committee members thanked her for existing volunteer service and approved forwarding her appointment to the full council. Shahin's appointment was presented as effective June 17, 2025, with a term expiring June 17, 2028.

Committee members clarified that this meeting functions as a recommending body and that final confirmation of both appointments will occur at the full City Council meeting on Oct. 7. Committee members also passed a motion to approve the minutes from the June 11, 2025 meeting and then voted to adjourn.

Votes at a glance: The recommending committee voted to forward both mayoral appointments to the full City Council (recommendation approved) and approved minutes of June 11, 2025. All recorded roll-call responses during those motions were affirmative among the members present or participating via Zoom.

The interviews were brief and focused on each candidate's experience with older adults and volunteer service; no policy decisions or changes to the Council on Aging’s composition were made at this meeting. Final authority to appoint rests with the full Chicopee City Council at its next scheduled meeting on Oct. 7.