Selectmen direct hiring committee to seek two 19-hour roles for community and senior center; interim staff extended

The Andover Board of Selectmen directed the hiring committee on July 14 to recruit two part-time staffers (roughly 19 hours per week each) to operate the town's new Community & Senior Center and to continue the interim arrangement for current staff until permanent hires are in place.

Why it matters: The town opened a new Community & Senior Center and the Commission on Aging and other community members urged a single full-time director. Because the Board of Finance budgeted limited funds for the position this fiscal year, the Selectmen chose a two-part-time approach as a compromise that fits this year's budget while creating a path to a full-time role if demand and usage justify it.

What the board decided: After hearing an extended presentation from Elaine Bucar of the Commission on Aging about activities and communications needs at the senior center, Selectman Jeff Maguire moved and the board voted 5'0''to authorize the hiring committee to recruit two part-time roles (about 19 hours each), one focused on daytime senior services and one to cover evening/community programming. The board also authorized Town Administrator Eric to extend the temporary contract for interim community-center coordinator Hailey Proto until the permanent position(s) are filled or she chooses another role; that extension was approved 5'0''.

Discussion highlights: Commission on Aging member Elaine Bucar told the board the center now runs many programs and "we do need to add community activities, and these are mainly evening and night and weekend activities" and urged a full-time director to coordinate volunteers, transportation, grant work and outreach. Board members said they sympathize with that preference but noted the board of finance approved $47,000 in the current budget for the position and that two 19-hour roles fit current funding.

Implementation: The board asked the hiring committee (members Carol Lee, Marcy Minor, Anne Marie Daigle and Selectmen representatives) to finalize job descriptions and conduct interviews. The board also agreed that if program demand grows the committee or Selectmen can propose a full-time director during the next budget cycle. Interim staffer Hailey Proto will remain in her role under the extended contract until a permanent hiring decision is made.

Next steps: The hiring committee will return with job descriptions, candidate recommendations and a recommended reporting structure that clarifies which of the two part-time staff will have ultimate responsibility for the building and for on-call duties. The board emphasized the need to document program demand and usage to support any future request for a full-time director.