Deborah Greenwood, the Wellesley Council on Aging‘s director of senior services, has resigned effective July 31.
COA patrons learned of the resignation on Thursday and the COA Board issued a brief statement on Friday:
On Thursday, July 31st, Deb Greenwood resigned from her position as Director of Senior Services, effective immediately.
Kathy Savage will continue as Acting Director until the Board makes a decision regarding filling the position on a permanent basis.
The Board thanks Deb for her efforts on behalf of the senior population of Wellesley and sends our best to her in her future career endeavors.
Judy Gertler
Chair, COA Board
The Council on Aging Board in April voted unanimously to ratify action by the town’s human resources department to place Greenwood on paid administrative leave. Kathleen Vogel, COA Board Chair at the time, stated during the April meeting that “HR received information last week of questions regarding Deb’s management and record keeping. Those questions are being investigated.” Vogel added that she had no further information on this, but that once investigations were complete, the Board would schedule a meeting with Greenwood in executive session (aka, behind closed doors) to discuss the results and determine if any discipline is appropriate.
A special board meeting was scheduled for July 31—then canceled—that included these agenda items: “Discussion of annual performance evaluation – Director of Senior Services; Executive Session – G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(1), to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against the Director of Senior Services. Presentation and discussion of Capital Strategic Solutions climate assessment and departmental audit reports.”
A notice posted today at the Tolles Parsons Center reads that “Due to Unforeseen Circumstances, the COA will be Closed at 3:30 pm Today.”
The COA Board has gingerly touched on the subject during recent public meetings, though has been limited in what it could say pending reports and privacy concerns.
Greenwood was introduced as the Wellesley COA director at the start of 2023. Hiring a director had proven challenging, with more than 100 resumes reviewed over several months. After a series of interviews, the Board for the COA was twice unable to close the deal with its choices.
Previous Wellesley COA Director Heather Munroe left in April of 2022 after a little more than two years on the job. Before that, Gayle Thieme led the COA for 16 years.
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As an active member of the COA, I could not be more disappointed at the loss of Deb as our director. I know I am not alone. Whatever happened behind the scenes, Deb was warm, personable and genuinely interested in the welfare of COA patrons during her tenure. She will sorely be missed.
Although I no longer live in Wellesley, I have been following the situation from the beginning and feared it would end like this… Resignation of Deborah. I personally loved how she worked for the seniors and committed to me that she would always have more interest in heart and see to it and we would get the kitchen and we were supposed to get building was finished. Well, now the kitchen work has begun and there’s no Deborah.. Just say my heart is broken is an understatement. I wish the best for Deborah. That’s it.