Stoughton's Sheila Whalen Settling in at Town Hall

Editor's Note: Each week Stoughton Patch will be shining a spotlight on a dedicated town employee whose hard work contributes to the continued betterment of our community.

Have anyone you would like to see featured as part of this series? Let us know by emailing jeffrey.pickette@patch.com.

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Sheila Whalen - Board of Selectmen Secretary, Town Manager’s Office

New to the job and , Sheila Whalen was in the middle of her ninth day of work when she was interviewed for this spotlight last week. She now has a couple of weeks under her belt and has been seen at the last couple of selectmen's meetings recording notes.

She serves as a liaison of sorts between the residents of this town and the Board of Selectmen. Whalen fills the position recently held by , who after serving for 32 years as secretary to the Board of Selectmen.

While Whalen’s mother was originally from Stoughton, upon marrying Whalen’s father the two moved to Norwood where Whalen grew up. 

Whalen moved to Stoughton in 1996 with her husband, Jim. They have two daughters Bridgette, 14, and Valerie, 11.  

Whalen, has enjoyed the past 25 years working as a legal secretary in Boston for Brodigan and Gardiner, LLP. 

Her daily trips was one of the highlights of her previous job.  She took the time to share some heart-warming stories about the friends she had come to meet through her commute and how close they remain.

Best word to describe the first impression of my job…

Wonderful. Everybody is kind and gracious!

This position is right for me…

I like variety and love a challenge, so I feel that this is good match.

Favorite part of the job…

Since it has only been nine days [at the time the interview was conducted], I have done a great deal of meeting new people.  I love people!  So meeting all the great employees at Town Hall has been fun.

Frustrations of the job…

Whalen referenced an Irish song, saying, “Day Nine, One Day at a Time”

She said, “It will be nice when I am all unpacked and settled.  I’d like to know where the little things are like, white out.”

Best Place to break for lunch…

Whalen says the “41.”  The 41, in fact, is her home (her house number) and she has eaten there every day since she began. 

"It’s nice to know I am close enough to go home for lunch,”  she said.

Although, she did share that the day of this interview, she was going to branch out a bit and go to her usual pizza place, on Washington Street.

When I am off the clock…

• I spend a lot of time at sports for my kids.  Both my girls play basketball and softball—town, travel and AAU (Amateur Athletic Union).

• Ceili Dancing is something that I do just for me.  (Whalen speaks of the pleasure it gives her and that Irish music is in her veins.  She explains that ceili dancing dates back to the 1800’s.  To describe it—watering it down for me—she says, “It is similar to square dancing without the calls. We dance to reels, jigs and polkas!”)

• Another favorite pastime is playing scrabble with her mother, who as Whalen describes, is 83 years young!

Favorite Hangout…

Sullivan’s on Castle Island, where Whalen says has the “best” double cheeseburger that she has ever tasted and swears by using vinegar on the fries! 

She loves to go most when she can take her mother and they can walk along the castle together.