New Year, New Chapter for the Council on Aging

The Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea is getting the new year underway by welcoming Mary Miner as the new Council on Aging Director.  

This appointment follows the retirement of the former director and an extensive six-month search. In addition to coordinating and maintaining current departmental services, Mary is tasked with leading Manchester’s Council on Aging (COA) at an important turning point, the long-anticipated establishment of a new senior center.

Mary Miner comes to Manchester-by-the-Sea by way of Nahant where she served as the Council on Aging Director for the past four years.  The Town of Nahant has an existing senior facility so her operational expertise there will be crucial in helping launch Manchester’s new senior center successfully.

Prior to her work in Nahant, Mary served as Social Worker Supervisor for the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance for over thirty years.  

During her tenure at the State, Mary was responsible for assessing the needs of vulnerable populations such as housing, food assistance, and health care.

Looking to the future, Mary intends to spend the first few months learning about Manchester-by-the-Sea and meeting the seniors who reside here.

“I am inheriting an impressive foundation to build upon and big shoes to fill”, Mary says.  “I look forward to learning the needs of local seniors and serving them with dignity and respect.”

Mary will run the Council on Aging alongside Eva Palmer, Program Coordinator.  “I am grateful for Eva’s knowledge and leading the department during the transition period to keep services running,” Mary adds.

Mary will train to become a state certified SHINE Counselor (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) for Manchester.  SHINE offers free, unbiased health insurance counseling for Medicare beneficiaries, their caregivers, and those about to become eligible.

Mary resides in Saugus and has always called the North Shore home.  

In her free time, Mary enjoys music, theater, baking, and reading mystery novels.  In ninth grade Mary was voted “Ms. Personality” and that superlative still shines through today proving Manchester seniors are in kind capable hands.

Tony Barletta is Manchester’s Town Administrator. Email him at abarletta@manchester.ma.us.