In a shakeup of the Board of Canvassers, the director of elections is out, a longtime board member has been replaced by a retiree as secretary, and Dorothy McCarthy is assuming the title of interim director.

Patty Aylesworth, who had served in the post as director of elections for four years, was informed her services were no longer needed about 10 days ago and McCarthy, who was preparing to retire, agreed to stay on as interim director, board chairman Edward Murphy confirmed on Friday.

The third change occurred more than two months ago when Lauren Slocum, a more than 30-year member of the board, resigned for personal reasons.

"She went above and beyond what anyone could ask," Murphy said of Slocum. He said her decision to leave the board after so many years "came as a shock."

The president and CEO of the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, Slocum said between her work and family she had too much on her plate and she did not want to in any way compromise her commitment to the Board of Canvassers.

Mayor Joseph Solomon said he hoped Slocum would change her mind after first learning she planned on resigning.

"I love Lauren. She did a great job for the city and she does a great job for the Chamber," he said. "She's got a lot on her plate. I was reluctant to take it [her resignation], but I can't not take it. I accepted her resignation and I kept it on the table as long as possible hoping that situations would alleviate, so to speak."

When that didn't happen, Solomon turned to MacDonald.

"I felt that Donna was a good appointment based on her work history in that office. She knows about that stuff inside and out, and I felt very comfortable," he said.

Murphy said the change in the director's slot is a result of a "restructuring" of the board and the work facing the board as it prepares for the 2020 elections. He noted the expectation of multiple elections, dealing with new rules and regulations and redistricting resulting from the census, the board faces a lot of work in the months ahead.

"Patty is an absolutely fantastic person," he said of Aylesworth.

Asked if he had any input in terms of the director's position, Solomon said that was a decision of the board.

"You appoint a board and they do their internal stuff," he said. "I would say the head of the Board of Canvassers would be Murphy, Donna and Sue Abramson. I think the most I've done at the Board of Canvassers is what I do every day when I'm walking in: 'Good morning! How are you guys doing?'"

"There's a reason that is separated from the rest of government, because the board is in control," he continued.

"The board is totally autonomous and I like to think apolitical," said Murphy.