Cumberland County names Lee Vasquez interim director of Human Services amid public praise for Melissa Niles

The Cumberland County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 14 approved Resolution 2025‑55 appointing Lee Vasquez as department head of the Cumberland County Department of Human Services with the interim title of director of Human Services.

The vote followed an extended public comment period in which multiple current and former county human services employees publicly praised Melissa Niles, the county’s current Human Services director, and urged the board to consider her record. Elizabeth Thomas, speaking for the Cumberland County Department of Health, said, “Melissa is and will remain a champion of our community.” Michael Williams, a counselor at Capital Recovery Center, told the board Niles “gave me an opportunity” that led him to become a certified peer recovery support specialist.

Why it matters: The appointment changes the department’s leadership and prompted public testimony focused on Niles’s role in county recovery and prevention programs, including the Capital Recovery Center and other community outreach efforts. At least one resident asked whether the deputy administrator position would be eliminated as part of the shift to place Vasquez in Human Services; Director Sarra said any change to that job would be handled by a separate resolution when appropriate.

Board discussion and votes: A motion and second were made to adopt Resolution 2025‑55. During roll call several commissioners recorded “No” votes: Commissioner Alsino voted no and Commissioner Albrecht voted no when called. Commissioner Mullins was recorded as voting no later in the roll call sequence. Commissioners Taylor, Marchand (Deputy Director Marchand), and Director Sarra were recorded as voting yes. After discussion, the resolution was reported as passing per the meeting record.

Public comment and concerns: Multiple speakers who identified themselves as current or former employees of county human services or affiliated programs addressed the board during the resolution’s public comment period. They emphasized Niles’s accessibility, advocacy for prevention and recovery programs, and the role she played in mentoring staff. Commenters included:

- Craig Dingle, resident and certified peer recovery coach at Capital Recovery Center, who described Niles as “hands on” and credited her with giving him an internship opportunity. - Elizabeth Thomas, Cumberland County Department of Health representative, who listed programs she said Niles supported, including RoadMobile, peer recovery pop‑ups, a candlelight vigil, the Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk, disaster response counseling and the Capital Recovery Center. - Michael Williams, drug and alcohol counselor and peer recovery coach, who said Niles supported his education and certification and described her leadership style as effective though “unorthodox.”

Several commissioners and a resident asked procedural and staffing questions. One resident asked whether placing Lee Vasquez in Human Services would eliminate the deputy administrator position; Director Sarra replied that any such change would be done by a separate resolution and that work on staffing descriptions is ongoing. Commissioner discussion also included comments about fairness to existing staff and the importance of clarity about roles and compensation.

What the resolution does and next steps: Resolution 2025‑55 formally appoints Lee Vasquez as department head with an interim director title. The meeting record indicates the board approved the resolution; Director Sarra said the board would address any related staffing reorganizations and that those changes would be handled through separate resolutions when ready.

Ending: The appointment concludes the board’s consideration of Resolution 2025‑55 at the Jan. 14 meeting. The county will make separate decisions if it elects to change or remove the deputy administrator post or to take additional personnel actions related to the department’s leadership.