Former Cheshire COA Director Says Resignation Not About Salary
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Carole Hilderbrand, the former Cheshire Council on Aging director who resigned late last week, says her resignation had nothing to do with money.
"Again, to make it very clear. I did not resign over salary and hours," Hilderbrand wrote in a letter to the Cheshire Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee on her resignation.
Hilderbrand said she felt insulted that the Board of Selectmen questioned her job description and title at its Feb. 16 meeting, saying the board should have discussed the matter in an executive session. Board Chair Michelle Francesconi told iBerkshires in the days following Hilderbrand's resignation that the town got two legal opinions recommending the reposting Hilderbrand's position.
"My resignation could have been totally avoided if questions were asked in the proper manner and forum," the letter says.
Hours and salary, according to Hilderbrand, were not something she focused on as the director and she believes her work was not being recognized or respected by the board. She specifically referenced comments made by resident Michael Biagini both during the meeting and on social media in the letter.
"I approached my position with the Town of Cheshire as a professional whose work was to help and advocate for the senior residents of our town. I approached that with initiative and creativity," she said. "I did not deserve to be treated as if I were some factory hand punching a clock and counting the hours. I consistently spent far more than my official hours on behalf of this town. I believe I deserved the respect and support of these boards for what I did for the town of Cheshire, and I did not get that support."
Hilderbrand said her position and title should not be in question. The Council on Aging voted in April 2021 to change Hilderbrand's title from coordinator to director.
"My position with the Town of Cheshire was established and confirmed at the last Town Meeting, and its salary and benefits were openly discussed (No benefits)," she said. "I can only conclude that someone has some personal animus that is not being publicly revealed."
Francesconi said the job title change should have never been made without the approval of the Board of Selectmen, something that was only discovered after the council voted on the change. The title has reverted back to coordinator under interim Coordinator Brenda Caufield.
When asked for comment on the letter, Hildebrand reiterated her resignation had nothing to do with her salary or hours.
"I have an open invitation to Cheshire seniors to visit me at my home and I am always available to talk via telephone and in person," she wrote to end her letter.
Correction: This article incorrectly referred to Selectman Mark Biagini rather than Michael Biagini. iBerkshires regrets the error.
Tags: COA, resignation,
