Search is on again for public health director in Southwick

Date: 12/1/2022

SOUTHWICK — Southwick is seeking a new health director after current Health Director Alex White informed the Select Board Nov. 21 that he would resign from the position effective after Dec. 31.

White said on Nov. 23 that he is leaving the position to “pursue other opportunities in public health,” but that he would continue to assist the Board of Health along with former Health Director Thomas Fitzgerald after the new year.

“It was really good to work with the people of Southwick, working as the health director and trying to prevent, promote, and protect,” said White. “My next replacement will continue with that.”

White had only signed on as Southwick’s health director in June. He was preceded by Fitzgerald, who was serving as interim health director after the previous director, Tammy Spencer, left the position at the beginning of the year. Spencer herself had just taken the job right as the coronavirus pandemic began, replacing Fitzgerald who was the full-time director before her.

Select Board Chair Russell Fox said that a job listing would be posted for the position, which will be for 37.5 hours a week. Fox said they naturally want somebody who has experience in public health, but hiring in that field has been difficult since COVID-19 began.

“It is a very competitive market out there, as we are finding out,” said Fox.

At the Nov. 21 Select Board meeting, Select Board member Douglas Moglin suggested that the town should review how the Board of Health positions are filled, given how difficult it can be to get more than one candidate to run for one of the three positions.

“We have struggled to get people to come out and run for that board,” said Moglin.

He did not suggest that they should imminently change the board from elected positions, but that they should first examine how other communities fill those roles effectively and competitively.

“Just for future discussion going into the new year,” said Moglin.