Blandford’s Finance team: Assistant Treasurer/Collector Karen Shaw, Clerk Susan Melo, Treasurer Sara Hunter. (Photo by Amy Porter)
BLANDFORD – The Board of Selectman hired former 22-year Westfield city employee and resident Susan Melo as part-time clerk in the Treasurer/Collector’s office at its meeting Monday evening.
In presenting Melo as a candidate for hire, Blandford Treasurer Sara Hunter pointed to Melo’s municipal experience. She said she checked her references, and received rave reviews from former coworkers.
“Are you ready to take on Blandford?” asked Select Board chairman Cara Letendre.
During the discussion before the vote, selectman Thomas Ackley commented, “Her resume speaks for itself.”
Melo will be joining Hunter and Assistant Treasurer and Collector Karen Shaw, who worked in Westfield’s Law Department for 16 years.
Hunter said that Melo will work three days a week, help to cover the Treasurer/Collector’s office, and will take payments following training on office procedures. “I’m sure she can give us guidance, too,” she added. She also told the board that Melo’s hours will be flexible during tax time.
Garcia said the town is looking to immediately hire two part-time summer workers for the Highway Department to do weed-whacking and grass cutting. He said the job pays $12 an hour and is posted on the town website at townofblandford.us. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.
Later in the meeting, Garcia talked about his goals as town administrator for 2020. He said his number one goal for fiscal year 2019 had been financial management. He said the financial team that he has assembled has been able to accomplish a lot of the goals that were set, including completing the 2019 audit.
For fiscal year 2020, Garcia said they have taken the objectives and strategies they haven’t yet accomplished, along with recommendations from the auditors.
Another goal for 2020 is to establish cross-departmental cooperation, Garcia said.
