MONTAGUE — After two and a half years as director of public health, Ryan Paxton is resigning. His final day on the job will be Wednesday, Nov. 26.
In his resignation letter, Paxton said he found a new role that is better suited to his family’s needs and that represents an opportunity to further his career in public health. His new job will be as health director for Eastern Hampden Shared Public Health Services, which serves Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Monson and Hampden.
“I thoroughly enjoyed serving the Montague community and I am hopeful that the work my department has completed has improved the health and well-being of our residents,” Paxton wrote in his resignation letter.
Paxton joined the town of Montague with a master’s degree in public health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a bachelor’s degree in health science from Boston University. During his time serving the town, Paxton worked on behalf of the Board of Health and helped advance public health initiatives, including a tobacco sales restriction. He also helped Montague join the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District.
“We wish him the best in his next endeavors,” Selectboard Chair Matt Lord said of Paxton.
Town Administrator Walter Ramsey told the Selectboard on Monday that the Board of Health has discussed the transition plan for Paxton. He added that the town is in a good place for “continuity of operations.”
As for hiring a new director of public health, Ramsey suggested that the Selectboard authorize him and Board of Health Chair Melanie Ames Zamojski to work together to share a job ad, review candidates and bring finalists to the Board of Health.
“The Board of Health would do the vetting of the finalists, and then a finalist would come to the Selectboard after the Board of Health has chosen their person,” Ramsey explained, “because the Board of Health is the appointing [and] the oversight authority.”
Ames Zamojski voiced a desire to get a new director hired so the town doesn’t need to lean on the shared services offered by the Valley Health Collaborative.
Ramsey said the position will be advertised at a Grade C, which offers a starting salary of $71,508 as approved at the Oct. 22 Special Town Meeting.