NORTHFIELD — The Selectboard appointed Rebecca Summer-Peterson, of Dover, as interim director for the Northfield Senior Center and Council on Aging last week.
Summer-Peterson, who was one of four candidates interviewed for the position by the Council on Aging board of directors, will replace Heather Tower, who announced her retirement in September. Tower’s retirement is effective at the end of December.
Summer-Peterson has spent much of the last eight years working with the seniors in eastern and central Massachusetts through case management, hospital transitions and home care. She is also experienced in program management.
“This job seemed to really fit my goals and interests,” Summer-Peterson said of the Northfield position. “I’ve always wanted to be a senior center director, actually.”
As interim director, Summer-Peterson will work 40 hours per week for six months before she, the Selectboard and the Council of Aging assess extending her time in the role. An interim job with the potential of turning into a longer-lasting position was appealing, Summer-Peterson said, allowing her time to adjust to the needs of the Northfield Senior Center.
She said she is interested in strengthening existing connections with area services and working with, or establishing, community support groups. She also noted her passion for creating and maintaining “inter-generational population connections.”
“I am drawn to seniors because I like hearing stories,” she said. “I like helping to sort of document life histories. And I think it’s important to keep people engaged and keep younger folks and older folks connected.”
While she has experience, Selectboard member Tracy Rogers expressed concern over Summer-Peterson’s extended commute from Dover.
“I think it’s nice as interim,” Rogers said. “It gives both (the COA and Summer-Peterson) a chance to check out how that’s going to work.”
“This is a good trial period, I think,” Selectboard Chair Alex Meisner added.
Regardless, Summer-Peterson said she looks forward to the role. She will transition into the job with help from Tower, who said her decision to retire came “after several months of contemplation.”
“I want to step back from things, take a break and see what comes up on the horizon,” Tower said.
Tower, who has been with the Senior Center since July 2013, said that while it has been gratifying to create new programs, work with wonderful people, and be an integral part of the town, it’s time to bring someone new into the position. She said she is stepping back to spend more time with her family, as she has a grandchild on the way and her son is getting married.
She noted that she’s “not going anywhere,” but will step back from the senior center’s public spotlight as it is important for the new director to establish themselves without her shadow. Tower will still be active around town in other ways, giving volunteer hours to efforts she hadn’t had time for recently. She will also be taking time to focus on her family and projects around the house.
“This has been a wonderful opportunity for me, enabling me to use the skills I trained for in graduate school and my years’ experience in the field,” Tower said when she announced her retirement in September.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 264.