Merrimack County approves reclassification of nursing-home administrative role to dietary shift leader

MERRIMACK COUNTY — The Board of Commissioners approved a personnel reclassification for a vacant position at the county nursing home, converting an administrative assistant job in the dietary department into a full-time dietary shift leader post.

Officials said the change is intended to address operational needs on the evening shift and reduce administrative workload. The county presented the request as a cost-savings and supervision measure.

Wendy, a county staff member, told commissioners the department seeks more oversight on second shift because automation has reduced the need for an administrative position. Heather, another county staff member, said the request followed the director of food service’s review and a recent retirement that created the vacancy. Heather said the director, Sherry, wanted more supervision for high-school employees who make up a large share of second-shift staff. Sherry was identified in the meeting as the director of food service.

The county noted the reclassification achieves almost $7,500 in annual savings in payroll costs. Commissioners asked how remaining administrative tasks would be handled; staff replied that Sherry and the assistant food-service director will absorb many duties and that administrative department staff can handle overflow.

A motion to approve the reclassification was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The commission’s action changes the county’s authorized job list for the nursing-home dietary department; the personnel change will take effect as provided by county personnel policy and budgeting practices.