Retired health director open to filling in as successor leaves

Date: 10/21/2021

SOUTHWICK — Former Health Director Tom Fitzgerald said last week that he would be open to filling in as a part-time director when his successor, Tammy Spencer, leaves the position Nov. 4.

Fitzgerald worked for the Southwick Health Department from 1981 until his retirement at the beginning of 2020. He was director of the department at the time he retired.

Spencer announced during the Oct. 7 Board of Health meeting that she would be leaving the position at the beginning of next month. The Board of Health voted to make her the health director when Fitzgerald retired, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic began sweeping through the United States.

Spencer has not said why she is leaving the position and has not responded to a request for comment.

Fitzgerald said he would only be able to work part-time, and with an hourly rate no higher than Spencer’s, to stay within the earning limits of his pension. He agreed in principle to a 24-hour work week.

Spencer said Oct. 7 that she would be open to helping out in some capacity beyond Nov. 4 in order to make the transition more smooth.

Board of Health member Jean Nilsson said that Fitzgerald would likely handle septic plans, building and restaurant inspections, fire emergency followup, housing issues, and COVID-19 reporting and response.

No vote was taken by the Board of Health during its meeting, which was posted as a work session. The board is expected to vote to bring Fitzgerald back in a part-time capacity at its meeting Oct. 21.