NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mitchell Keil has been hired at the new veterans services officer for the city of North Adams and district director for the additional communities of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Dalton, Florida, Lanesborough, Savoy and Williamstown.

 

He was confirmed in his position at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. He replaces Air Force veteran Stephen Roy, who has resigned effective Dec. 22.

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey thanked Roy for his service and that she wished him well in his future endeavors. She told the council that she believed Keil should be his successor. 

 

Keil, past commander of American Legion Post 125, is a Marine veteran who served four years, including several overseas assignments largely in logistics and convoy security missions in Aghanistan. The Wahconah Regional High School and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduate has experience in management, procurement, hospitality and sales. He was most recently a foreman for tree removal service Asplundh.

 

He told the council he has been been active in the veteran community over the last few years.

 

"My favorite part about being a part of the American Legion is getting to know my fellow veterans and helping them in ways that they need," he said. "I've been searching for a way to continue to help my fellow veterans that wasn't part time, wasn't in my spare time."

 

He told iBerkshires that he was proud of his history of helping his fellow veterans, and planned to continue the hard work the Veterans Services Office has done along with its pantry and annual cookout and was looking expanding the ways he can help those in need. Keil said he would find ways to make sure the veteran population is at the forefront of everyone's mind and is recognized with dignity and respect.

 

"I'm excited to be starting this new career field," he said. "I've been searching for a while now to get out of tree work and find something closer to what I'm passionate about. ...

 

"I'm looking forward to working closely with the veterans in the city and the surrounding towns to secure the benefits Massachusetts provides, while also helping to educate them about the federal benefits."

 

Macksey was questioned about the speed in filling the position. It was posted for five to seven days last week and the mayor said three people applied and two were interviewed. "It was one position I had people who were interested in," said the mayor. 

 

There have been some city positions that have drawn little or no interest.

 

Roy has been the city's veterans agent for more than a decade. It was in 2011 that the city entered into an intermunicipal agreement with Adams and Williamstown after their agents retired or left. The arrangement worked so well that more communities joined as the years went by; the cost of operating the office is shared proportionally with the city has the lead. 

 

The Veterans Services Office has been run by Roy and assistant Tina Samson and oversee nearly 200 cases a year. Roy splits his time between the towns helping veterans with the Department of Veterans Affairs, navigating agencies, making connections with human service organizations and providing financial assistance through state and local programs. The office also keeps a small pantry and clothing bank for veterans in need.

 

Roy's work was recognized in 2015 with the state's Outstanding Veterans District Award.