AMHERST — Amherst is beginning a search for a new director of Senior Services after Lisa Borchetta, on the job since last September, resigned, citing health complications for her departure.
Borchetta’s last day was Friday and the town has already posted the opening, and is accepting applications for the job.
With a background in senior services administration, human services support and mental health counseling, and having overseen senior services in Holliston, Borchetta was named to the position to succeed Hayley Bolton. Bolton was in the position for just over three years before leaving to take on the town administrator job in Shutesbury last March.
Like at that time, Town Manager Paul Bockelman has appointed Kiko Malin, public health director, to serve as the interim director of the Senior Center.
In her resignation letter, Borchetta wrote that she enjoyed her time serving the older adult community, praising town leadership, the Council on Aging, the Friends of the Senior Center, along with colleagues, staff and residents, for making her feel welcomed and appreciated.
“It is with a heavy heart that I submit this letter of resignation, but know that this is likely the best course of action both for me, and for the Amherst community, who I have had the pleasure of serving,” Borchetta wrote, adding that “had unforeseen health complications not encumbered my work, I had hoped to stay here for the remainder of my career.”
Jeanne Horrigan, who chairs the Council on Aging board, wrote in an email that it was unfortunate Borchetta had to resign so early into her tenure. But the board members are pleased the town has already advertised the position.
“In the meanwhile, COA will continue to support the work of Senior Services and advocate for better facilities,” Horrigan said.
In fact, the board has argued that the center is understaffed and underfunded, and in an opinion piece two years ago made a comparison to South Hadley, which offers 16,000 square feet of space for activities, while Amherst offers a bit over 2,000 square feet dedicated to the Senior Center.
The Senior Center is located in the Bangs Community Center, sharing limited room with several other town departments, and this year is being affected by an ongoing project to upgrade the building’s mechanical systems. But Bockelman has said that Senior Services should be seen as more than just the building, with services extending into the community.
