Port Townsend has created a Community Services Department, integrating the existing parks and facilities teams, the library department and a new arts and culture element to oversee the Creative District.

“The mission of the department is to provide safe, equitable and inclusive access to parks, recreation and city facilities that strengthen the bonds of the community by enriching and enhancing the quality of life for the Port Townsend community,” the city wrote in its 2025 budget.

The city maintains that there will be no significant changes to services, at least initially, but that it aims “to bring greater creativity, synergies and vitality” to their existing work, according to a Jan. 3 press release.

“This change allows us to better integrate and sustainably deliver services to the community,” said City Manager John Mauro. “We’re drawing creative inspiration from elements that provide a high-quality public service like the library, building back some of the elements that have suffered from years of neglect like parks and facilities, and recognizing an opportunity to play a more meaningful role in carrying forward the work of the PT Creative District in expanding living-wage opportunities for local artists.”

Melody Sky Weaver, who has served as the library director for the past 10 years, was internally promoted to the newly created position of director of the Community Services Department. 

The salary range of the new position, which absorbs the library director role, is between $126,631 and $157,022, according to the city’s budget. Weaver made between $99,218 and $123,031 as library director.

Weaver echoed the department’s mission, adding in an email that the additional administrative attention from the department is expected to bring the city back into competitiveness for state Recreation and Conservation Office grants, which are equivalent to $10 to $20 million in potential funding.

She mentioned a few examples of collaboration that the department will oversee, including the Kah Tai Lagoon StoryWalk as a partnership between parks and the library and the Poet Laureate Program as a partnership between the Arts Commission and the library.

“I’m thrilled to take on this exciting new challenge and draw from my experience as a municipal leader, former Library Director, and my time on the subcommittee of the PT Creative District,” Weaver said. “I’m eager to work with an inspiring team, our partners and the community to enable a creative fusion of the services our community deeply values.”