WESTFORD — The Select Board on Tuesday thanked Sue Hanley for 17 years of service on the town’s health board.
Hanly’s years of service include the COVID-19 pandemic, where local public health boards were tasked with interpreting state and federal guidelines on masking and physical distancing.
Board members recognize Hanly
“[During the pandemic] With all kinds of meetings, standards, listening to national and state directives, dealing with citizens who didn’t want to hear those state and town directives,” Select Board Chair Scott Hazelton said. “I think we’ve sort of forgotten what it was like, especially those first few months of COVID, the fear that was in people’s minds.”
Hanley served for 22 years as a nurse at Stony Brook Middle School her retirement in 2022. She also previously served as president of the Westford Youth Basketball Association and has been involved in community service for families in need.
“You probably don’t know she was behind the scenes raising money to meet the town’s commitment to mental health counseling for several years,” he said. “Sue was part of helping us understand mental health issues [and] safety issues in schools.”
Board member Andrea Peraner-Sweet also thanked Hanley for her service, who among her service, was also recognized by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women as one of the Commonwealth Heorines in 2021.
“[She was] an absolute advocate for social and emotional learning long before it became a priority in our school system,” she said. “Sue’s focus was always on the student and she was passionate about making sure their needs were met whether those needs were physical, emotional or otherwise.”
Relocating closer to Boston
Hanly joked, noting that she was being “fired” from the board.
“I want people to know we’re leaving, not quitting the board. I’m actually being fired from the board because we’re moving,” she said.
In a bittersweet exchange, she said she would be relocating to be closer to family near Boston and reflected on her tenure during the pandemic.
“The only thing I’ve ever done in this town or what I’ve strived to do is to do what’s best for the town. It’s never ever been about me, and I think that’s what was so painful about COVID,” she said. “There was a lot of misinformation and people who truly were unkind about what we were trying to do to keep this town safe.”
She said her favorite memory was working with other town boards.
“I loved being on those task force[s],” she said. “I pray going forward that you can continue to find ways to collaborate with all boards because we’re all better off if we can all work together for this town.”
