Rally Supports Former Enfield Senior Center Director

ENFIELD, CT — About 50 people, mainly senior citizens, gathered on the front lawn of Town Hall Monday afternoon to show support for the recently-departed director of the Enfield Senior Center.

Susan Lather, director of the center since 2003, officially retired from her position in late June, effective "or or about Aug. 1," after several recent disciplinary actions taken by her supervisor, Director of Social Services Dawn Homer-Bouthiette. Lather's actual final day of work was last week.

An initial disciplinary action, the first in Lather's career, was overturned following a grievance hearing with Enfield Director of Human Resources Steve Bielenda. A second instance, concerning a $2,500 expenditure for volunteer gifts, also went to a grievance hearing; however, on this occasion Bielenda upheld the disciplinary action.

Many present at the rally felt Homer-Bouthiette, who started work in Enfield about 16 months ago, was "marking her turf" by taking action against Lather.

Claire Neild, a longtime senior center volunteer, said, "I'm here to protest that Susan had to leave because she felt the pressure from this director of social services. It's pretty sad and I don't blame her in a way; I wouldn't want to go to work and have someone scrutinizing your every word and everything you do. I actually quit a job after 15 years because of that. Susan brought the senior center from the one-room schoolhouse it used to be on High Street."

Town Councilor Ed Deni emphasized he was present at the rally as a taxpayer and a senior citizen, not an elected official.

"There are rumors going around out of the town manager's mouth that one of the reasons they were disappointed with Susan is she went over his head and her boss's head and talked to Councilor Deni over a part-time position they didn't want to fill that is already in the budget," Deni said. He further explained the situation, saying a part time evening employee, working 4 to 8 p.m., has been approved and budgeted for, but no one has yet been hired. Deni added he has brought up his concern over the matter "two or three times."

Rally organizer Gina Sullivan said she didn't expect the outcome to change, but just wanted to provide people an opportunity to let Lather know how much she is appreciated, adding "we want to also let the town know that people watch what goes on."

She said she did not expect Homer-Bouthiette, whose office is actually two blocks away from Town Hall, to appear, but had faint hopes that Town Manager Bryan Chodkowski, Homer-Bouthiette's supervisor whose office overlooks the front of the grounds, might venture downstairs to answer questions from Lather's supporters, or at least acknowledge the presence of those gathered.

Photo credits: Tim Jensen