After nearly 30 years in the town office, Town Administrator Joanne Meshna will be retiring in June.
“It’s just time, you know,” she said in an interview at her office in New Ipswich.
In 1989, Meshna had recently resigned from her job at Leominster hospital, to spend more time with her young daughter. She wasn’t looking for a new career, but when she saw a classified ad seeking a minute-taker for the New Ipswich Planning Board, a job that would only take a few hours a week. Thinking it would be a good time filler, she applied, never knowing it would lead to a second career in municipal administration.
Once she had began her post, other boards approached her for minute-taking, and she began to become more involved in the land-use side of the town office. About five years after she had begun, her duties had evolved into a full-time land use manager position, which she held for more than 20 years.
In February of 2013, Town Administrator Marie Knowlton resigned her position, and the town struggled to find a replacement. Meshna said that she waffled about whether or not to step up to the plate and apply for the position.
“I was pretty happy doing what I was doing. I put it off and off,” she said.
But as she continued to put off applying, the town wasn’t able to find a suitable replacement, and eventually, Meshna decided to officially put her hat in the ring, and was hired in March of that year.
“It is a challenge. There is a lot that goes on in this office, and it’s very busy every day, but I do like doing it,” said Meshna.
Now, she said, her daughter has had her first child, and she once again would like to stop working to be able to spend more time with her family, and has put in for her retirement, effective on June 22, giving six weeks notice to the town. The Select Board have already started to take applications and interview applicants, including an interview planned during it’s meeting Tuesday.
Meshna said she does not have plans for another career. She would like to fully retire so she can spend time with her grandchild, volunteer and travel, she said. She already has a planned trip to Denver, Colorado, this fall and would also like to visit family in Florida.
Meshna said she plans to continue living in New Ipswich.
“I’ve worked all my life, so I want to just travel and see what it’s like,” she said. “I’ve never had the summer off, so I’m going to enjoy it.”
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.