I Was a Library Archives Volunteer. I’m Voting for McCauley

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I was a longtime senior archival volunteer of special projects in the library city archives for over 15 years under head librarians Cindy Dadd, Giselle Stevens, and yes Sara Kelso. In June 2023, the archive volunteers were accused of “bullying and harassing” library staff. Mayor Reardon immediately suspended the program, without any investigation. The mayor, not understanding the basics of conflict resolution, took the side of the librarians and never interviewed the volunteers prior to suspending the archive volunteer program. Nor did Mayor Reardon or the Human Resource Director bring the volunteers and librarians together.

We asked the city councilors for an independent investigation which they approved unanimously in July 2024. Councilor Jim McCauley took us seriously and listened to and read our testimonials and evidence of our innocence we submitted.

After the councilors chose an investigative firm in October 2024, two months later in December, I had a call from Mayor Reardon asking me to come to his office for a talk, as he heard I was not happy with how he was handling things – of course I said NO. But then Mayor Reardon asked if he could come to our home – another NO.

I felt very uncomfortable about this call, as we are not involved in politics here. But I have been very active in the volunteer issues in the archival center and library.

Mayor Reardon really did not want an outside investigation. Now we know why. In May of 2025, independent investigator Attorney Melissa Murray of Norwood-based Norris, Murray, and Peloquin, LLC stated that volunteers and patrons were “unfairly dismissed and defamed” in public – in a local newspaper and on the library website. The “actions and inactions” by city officials – Mayor Sean Reardon, former chief of staff Andrew Levine, the former Human Resource Director Donna Drelick and librarians contributed directly to the defamation of the archive volunteers and patrons. All the archive volunteers and patrons were proven innocent. Despite these conclusions, the volunteer archive program of local history specialists has permanently ended with the library administration, the library board, and Mayor Reardon’s approval.

I am supporting Jim McCauley for mayor. Jim values seniors and volunteers in our community.

Marge Motes
Newburyport resident

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