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By Linda Lemmon
Town Editor
PUTNAM — With a second department head leaving, the town is taking the opportunity to re-evaluate the town’s needs before filling the spots.
Town Assessor Angela Sanchez resigned recently (moving) and Town Clerk Sara J. Seney recently submitted her retirement after 26 years.
Town Administrator Elaine Sistare said whether the positions continue to be full time or would become part time is under consideration.
Fortunately for the town, there is some breathing room because the assistants in both offices have been in their positions for many years and are fully capable of handling the job.
“All municipalities are financially stretched,” said Sistare, “so we’ll re-evaluate at this point.” When a position is being filled, it’s an opportune time to re-evaluate what exactly is needed. She added that residents’ needs change with time and people do business (with the town offices) differently than they did before.
“Because we’ve always done it that way,” might not necessarily be the best approach.
Seney’s retirement is effective July 8. Sistare said that gives the town some time to re-evaluate the position, get it advertised and go from there. And in the meantime the assistant town clerk, Deana Pajak, is fully certified.
In her letter to Sistare, Seney said “It is with a heavy heart that I leave this position which I have performed for the last 26 years, but I have decided the time has come for me to start my retirement and spend more time with my husband, children and beautiful grandchildren. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone most graciously for the help, support, and opportunities I have had working for the town. It has been a remarkable journey and I have enjoyed all the time spent working with you and everyone on our team. I also need to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the people of Putnam and their faith in me in electing me as their Town Clerk. It has been an honor to serve them. I look forward to supporting you in a smooth transition to my successor.” Before becoming Putnam’s town clerk, Seney worked in the Thompson Town Hall, part of the time as the assistant town clerk.
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