Framingham HR Chief Takes Job In Stow Before Salary Cut

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham Human Resources Director Dolores Hamilton will leave her job to become Stow's first-ever assistant town administrator, a move that comes ahead of a planned cut of her salary.

In a news release Wednesday, Stow Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski said Hamilton would mainly handle HR duties for the town of over 7,000 residents north of Marlborough.

"I am so excited to begin this new role," Hamilton said in the news release. "It is such an honor to be chosen. I look forward to getting to know the residents, town employees and community members and learning more about what makes the town of Stow so special."

While finalizing the fiscal 2022 budget early this summer, the City Council made several cuts, including eliminating former economic development director Kevin Shea's salary. The Council also voted to cut off Hamilton's salary by December, which would've resulted in a $70,000 annual pay cut. At the time, Councilors said they wanted to press Mayor Yvonne Spicer's administration to study merging the city and Framingham Public Schools HR departments. Councilors Tracey Bryant and Cesar Stewart-Morales voted against the cut.

"This provides a little bit of feet to the fire to make sure we're having the discussion we need to have," District 8 Councilor John Stefanini said in June of the cut to Hamilton's salary. Councilors said the cut could be reversed at any point, but the topic has not been before the full City Council since.

Through a spokesman, Mayor Yvonne Spicer said the salary cut was directly related to her departure from Framingham.

"When the City Council only funded the HR division director’s position through December this year, Dolores Hamilton had no choice but to seek other opportunities," Spicer said. "She has given so much to Framingham, and I will miss her thoughtful and strategic leadership."

Hamilton was also involved in investigations into harassment allegations against District 2 Councilor Michael Cannon. Last summer, Hamilton hired outside investigator Regina Ryan to investigate claims by several city employees of verbal harassment, according to documents obtained by Patch. But Hamilton had fielded complaints against the Councilor as recently as March, according to internal emails.

Hamilton was not immediately reachable for comment on Wednesday. She will begin working in Stow by Sept. 13, according to the town's news release.