At a July 9 Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting, the BOS unanimously voted to name Veronica Aleman the new social services program coordinator.

After a short executive session, the BOS resumed the meeting to announce Aleman’s hiring. She will officially start in her position on July 29. The position is 30 hours per week, paying $28.50 an hour.

A job description for the position stated that the coordinator would be part of a team “…responsible for evaluating, providing, and administering a variety of local, state and federal programs to the residents of the town of Westbrook.”

In addition to overseeing the department staff, the coordinator will be charged with investigating different programming ideas and grant applications, preparing the department budget, and helping direct clients to appropriate services, among other duties.

Westbrook First Selectman John Hall said that, for all intents and purposes, Aleman would serve as the department’s director. Earlier in 2024, the BOS slightly modified the job description of the director position to “modernize” it and changed the job title from director to coordinator. Hall said the town had been looking to fill the position for several months since the previous director retired.

“I liked that we had some good qualified candidates to choose from, and we liked what she brings to the table,” Hall said of the hiring process.

Hall said that Aleman has experience in the field as she was employed by another town and other social service organizations in the area.

“She has a great social series background, and I think she’ll fit in nicely and take over the office without any issues,” Hall said.

The social services department provides “advocacy, information, referral, and support services to adults, families, elderly and disabled residents,” according to the town website. The department also helps people fill out applications for assistance with state, federal, and private programs.