NORTHAMPTON — It was all smiles Monday as city officials, seniors and others welcomed the new director of Northampton Senior Services, a friendly event that may indicate that the stormy controversy that marked her hiring is a thing of the past.
About two dozen people filtered into the Senior Center throughout the two-hour event, spending a few minutes with new leader Marie Westburg.
“I’m greeting everybody,” Westburg said.
The former director of the Williamsburg Senior Center, Westburg was appointed to the Northampton director position by Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz. The moved created controversy, with a number of people asserting that Senior Services’ assistant director at the time, Heather Cahillane, should have gotten the job instead. Cahillane subsequently resigned her position.
A campaign was launched to get Westburg’s appointment rejected by the City Council so that Cahillane’s candidacy could be reconsidered. That effort failed, however, and the council unanimously confirmed Westburg’s appointment on May 3. Westburg had already started working as director on April 30, as the mayor appointed her to the post in an interim role prior to the vote.
“I’ve been very busy,” said Westburg.
“She’s getting to know us, she’s getting to know everybody,” said Linda DeMercurio, office manager at the senior center.
Westburg said that, given the hubbub that surrounded her candidacy, it made sense to hold a meet and greet sooner than would typically be the case, to give people the opportunity to meet her in person and ask questions.
“We had a really good turnout,” DeMercurio said.
In terms of the controversy, Westburg said that although folks have mentioned it, they’ve been welcoming.
“I think people are moving on now,” said DeMercurio.
Westburg has been trying to reassure people that she’s not going to make sweeping changes, and that she’s trying to listen to everyone’s ideas.
Jim Spencer, who teaches writing classes at the senior center, was one of five members of the Council On Aging who resigned after Westburg’s appointment, although he said there were other reasons as well. Nevertheless, he was at the meet and greet.
“Free cake is free cake,” said Spencer.
Spencer said that he intended to speak to Westburg that day. He also said that he is taking a wait-and-see approach to Westburg, and expressed a desire to guide new people who come to work at the Senior Center.
“If she asks for help, I will give it to her,” he said.
Westburg also said that the bistro at the Senior Center, which closed as a result of Cahillane leaving, would be re-opening, although she could not give an exact time. She also said that she’s recently gotten her special certification, called ServSafe, that will allow for an expansion of food options at the center.
One long-term fan of Westburg is Eugene Barry, 90, who lives in Florence and attends events at both the Williamsburg and Northampton senior centers. He wrote a hand-written letter to Narkewicz in support of her.
“I’m very, very happy about the choice,” he said.
He also praised the sense of community at the Senior Center, noting the stories that his fellow seniors have to share.
“I’m very, very happy with what I see and the people I’ve met,” Barry said.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.