Mahan said Rowley is being paid a little more than $19 an hour and works 15 hours a week. The hiring does not increase spending at the Pruyn House, she said, because other staffers had voluntarily cut back on their hours.

Curator Diane Morgan approached the town about finding someone to assist her, Mahan said.

“We did an assessment with Diane of what her needs were,” Mahan said. “She was looking for someone who could assist her in working with the Pruyn House, to assist with some of the educational programs.”

Rowley worked for 11 years as a social studies teacher in the North Colonie schools, where Mahan worked before becoming supervisor in 2008.

“Someone with an educational background is appealing for that type of position,” the supervisor said. “She seemed to have an excellent background that really fit what we were looking for and what Diane was looking for.”

As she had with Cunningham’s hiring, Mahan insisted politics played no role. “It’s not a factor in her getting this position,” she said.

Zilgme said the hiring of her former rival surprised her.

“It was done by the town,” she said. “I didn’t know anything about it.”

The board president declined to say what she thought of the hiring.

“I hesitate to say anything because it doesn’t have anything to do with my employment with the town or my being president of the board,” she said.

Rowley said she lost to Zilgme and doesn’t have any qualms about working with her.

“I assume I will be working with her at some point. I look forward to it,” she said.

Rowley said she was surprised anyone would think her hiring is an issue.

“I was a history teacher for 11 years. It’s a great fit,” she said. “I have the educational background. I think I present a good public face. It’s a part-time job. It’s not like I was hired at a salaried rate.”

Tim O’Brien can be reached at 454-5092 or by e-mail at tobrien@timesunion.com.