Changes afoot in several town employee positions

While Lincoln is transitioning to a new Council on Aging director, several other personnel moves are occurring as well.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Dan Pereira is expected to move into the assistant town administrator’s job once a new PRD director is in place. “I’m really excited about the possibility of a partnership and having Dan join the leadership of the town,” said Town Administrator Tim Higgins, who said he had met with Pereira several times. “To a person, [the PRD] are thrilled for the opportunity for Dan to progress and for us to keep him in the fold.”

Pereira replaces Mary Day, who left at the end of May. Her departure was sudden but was a “voluntary resignation,” said Higgins, adding that he could not comment further on personnel matters.

Day was appointed in 2013 after working for several years as the town treasurer/collector. The role involves supporting Higgins in day-to-day administration and oversight of town services as well as overseeing the town’s human resources, risk management, and purchasing functions. 

Paula Vaughn-Mackenzie, administrative assistant in the Planning Department, is the acting director of planning while Director of Planning and Land Use Jennifer Burney takes a leave of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act. She’s expected to return on September 1, Higgins said.

Finally, Brian Young has been named deputy fire chief after serving in an acting capacity for about a year. “The last four months have really kind of sealed the deal for me, seeing him taking on responsibility after responsibility” since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, Higgins said. “In short order, he has really grown into the role and embraced the role.”