Montuori Fills Three Town Hall Vacancies (Poll)

Three down, two to go.

to the Board of Selectmen at its meeting this week that he had made hires to fill

Two of the three new employees live in Tewksbury, though Montuori pointed out that is not a requirement under the Town Charter.

"I'm pleased that we've sen some progress filling these important positions," said

Kelly Odams of Tewksbury has been hired to serve in the newly created position of Treasurer/Collector. She will replace Treasurer Janet Smith, and Tax Collector Lorraine Langlois, both of whom retire this month. Montuori told the board that both Smith and Langlois have agreed to stay on, serving in interim capacities, for the next three weeks, until Odams starts work.

Odams has served as assistant treasurer in the town of Billerica since 1995. Montuori is familiar with Odams' work, having served as town manager in Billerica from 1998-2005.

At Montuori's suggestion, Town Meeting voters approved the merging of the treasurer and collector positions, as a means of streamlining town services. The treasurer/collector structure is the same as the one in place in Billerica.

Pamela Alfano of Tewksbury has been hired as assistant town accountant. She replaces Donna Gill, who retired in March after 24 years on the job.

Alfano has served the last 10 years as a principal account clerk/bookeeper in the town of Arlington.

The third hire was one Montuori considered especially critical as the town moves forward.Teresa Belanger of Haverhill was hired as administrative assistant in the department of Administrative Services. According to Montuori, that position administers much of Town Hall's human resources functions.

Since 2006, Belanger has served as human resources administrator for Physical Sciences Inc. in Andover. Prior to that she held the same position for several years with Shaw's Supermarket chain out of Plaistow, NH.

Belanger replaces Michelle Rivera, who leaves to take a similar position in the administrative offices of the Tewksbury School District.

Montuori said he has two positions left to fill. He will work with Odams to fill the newly created position of assistant treasurer/collector. He said he hopes to fill the position quickly.

The other position has proved to be a bit more difficult to fill. Finance Director Donna Walsh will be leaving next week to take the position of finance and budget director in the town of Andover. Montuori said finding a candidate with suitable experience and skills has been a challenge.

At their meeting this week, Montouri had told selectmen he felt he might have to reclassify the position in the hopes of hiring someone to at least fill the accounting responsibilities of the job. However, later in the week, he said the prospects had improved and that hopes to be able to make a job offer soon.