Suspended Saugus Library interim director retires

SAUGUS – Ewa Jankowska, the former interim director at the Saugus Library, has taken early retirement, according to Library Director Diane Wallace.The Board of Selectmen has been meeting in executive session for the last two weeks to discuss findings from a recent labor hearing and to decide what action to take after it suspended Jankowska with pay in January.The board cited a lack of oversight in when it suspended her in the wake of the arrest of former library worker Linda Duffy, who is accused of stealing more than $800,000.?She retired as of May 1,” said Wallace. “She?s old enough to retire. I don?t know if it?s something (the Board of Selectmen) just table forever. I don?t think the selectmen will pursue anything if she?s retiring.”Jankowska was interim director for four years according to Wallace, who took over as director last summer.Selectmen vice-Chairman Steve Castinetti said he would be in favor of accepting Jankowska?s retirement at next week?s selectmen meeting.?We?re meeting next Tuesday night over it,” said Castinetti. “I would expect that we would probably accept it. I would think that if we didn?t, we would probably be in for more litigation. But who knows, I would have to hear the details.”Calls to selectmen Chairman Michael Serino were not returned Thursday.With Jankowska suspended since January, Wallace said the library has been short-staffed and has struggled at times to maintain a minimum of four staffers on duty, which the library?s union contract stipulates.Last Thursday, the library had to shut its doors four hours early for the first time since Wallace took over because there was not enough staff available.?That?s the first time,” said Wallace. “Normally I would stay or try to get somebody. Sometimes we only have five people on the schedule and if someone calls in sick or if something happens, you?re down to three in an instant.”Wallace said she?s not sure if she?ll be able to replace Jankowska since she has to cut some of the library budget in the face of steep deficits for the town next year.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].