Wareham Housing Authority executive director announces retirement

Jun 28, 2013

The Wareham Housing Authority is undergoing some changes, after its executive director announced her retirement and two members resigned.

Executive Director Pam Sequiera is retiring effective June 30, after more than two decades at the helm.

Sequiera's departure comes on the tail of the resignations of board member Martin Benoit and Paul Innis, state appointee to the board.

Housing Authority member Bob Powilatis suggested hiring a consulting firm on a part-time basis or someone from a neighboring Housing Authority to oversee the Housing Authority while the board searches for Sequiera's successor.

"Pam indicated at the last meeting that she was going to retire," Powilatis told the board at its June 19 meeting. "From what I've seen, we need to change this place sooner rather than later."

Innis suggested on June 19 that the board keep Sequiera on as a transitional consultant. The board agreed, but did not yet decide how her salary will be determined.

Benoit resigned April 17. The Selectmen are charged with appointing a replacement, and the Housing Authority had 30 days to submit names of candidates to the Selectmen so the seat can be filled.

The 30 days passed with the Authority taking no action, and the task now ultimately falls to the Selectmen.

Sequiera says that the board didn't submit any candidates because the board was unable to have its monthly meeting in May due to a lack of a quorum.

"In the past someone has come to the board and said, 'we'd like to be on the board,' and then they go before the Selectmen," said Sequiera.

Sequiera and the housing authority oversee the Agawam Village and Redwood Park affordable housing units in Wareham, and are overseen by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

The Housing Authority board consists of four elected seats and one state-appointed seat. Each term is five years.