Cohasset Town Manager Defends Elder Affairs Director Appointment Amid Criticism

Board members and residents express concerns over hiring process and lack of senior center experience

COHASSET, MA - August 12 - Cohasset Town Manager Chris Senior faced criticism from Elder Affairs Board members and residents during a heated meeting Monday over his appointment of a new Elder Affairs Director.

Senior defended his decision to hire Meg Stewart, emphasizing the need for health and human services expertise in the role. However, board members and residents expressed disappointment in the lack of senior center experience and the hiring process itself.

"We're not changing anything. No one's taking away anything," Senior said, attempting to reassure the packed room. "I want to double down right now. I am not making any changes to the caring and concern and the feeling of family."

The appointment comes after the departure of the previous director, which Senior described as unexpected. He acknowledged the emotional impact of the change, saying, "I understand the feeling of we don't want to lose. I understand that. And nobody wanted her gone."

Board members raised concerns about the hiring process and their lack of input. Paul Kierce, a board member, stated, "For the Cohasset Elder Affairs Board not to have a voice in this process, which we did have a voice. He heard what we had to say. But he had decided that this health and human service area candidate was stronger and would help the senior center in the future."

Residents packed the meeting room, with many expressing support for current Assistant Director Diane Picot, who had applied for the position. One attendee said, "I think it's awful, terrible what you're doing to that girl. She's wonderful over there."

Senior acknowledged he could have communicated better about the decision. "Shame on me for not understanding or seeing that," he said. "I never thought that. And again, so shame on me for not understanding or seeing that."

Board members discussed seeking remedies to have more input in future hiring decisions. Kierce suggested, "We're going to find a remedy to the hiring practices. We're going to try and see if we can get some guardrails on it and understand what the proper hiring practices are for the town and if it's equally applied to directors or department heads."

The new director, Meg Stewart, is set to start on Sept. 9. Board member Kierce emphasized the importance of supporting both the current staff and the incoming director, stating, "We have to identify that and kind of work through that over the next couple of weeks."

Despite the controversy, Senior expressed optimism about moving forward. "I'm optimistic about moving forward," he said. "The alternative is this, there is no, the only other alternative is to be just, is to be tearing down. And nobody wants to do that."