Ms. Roman, who lives in Thomaston, has been with the town for 16 years as of Saturday, October 7, first with the police department and then as part of the town manager's staff starting in 1994. In her previous position she worked with all the administrators in town, including the town manager, purchasing agent, finance director, etc. She has served as interim purchasing agent in town twice before, when Mr. Frigon was acting as interim town manager.

"Over the years, I've just developed a rapport with Chuck (Frigon), who appreciated the fact that I never settled for 'that's the way it's done,' I always wanted to know why," Ms. Roman said.

Ms. Roman said her new position was "exciting" and that she was "up for the challenge" of the "daunting task" of taking the purchasing agents reins entirely for herself.

Prior to working for the town, Ms. Roman worked as a paralegal and prior to that in construction. Ms. Roman said she learned a lot about a number of services and topics through her previous experience.

"I've had a varied past, and picked up a little on many different subjects," said Ms. Roman. "I know just enough about things to be dangerous."

Ms. Roman is currently engaged to Joe Tartaglia, a former Watertown police officer, and says the two of them have seven children between them. Their seventh grandchild is due in six weeks, according to Ms. Roman.

Very happy with her appointment, Mr. Frigon stated he had "a lot of faith in her judgment and abilities," and that he was sure she would "do extremely well" in her new position.