MATTAPOISETT — As Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Gagne’s official retirement date draws closer, the town has yet to find a suitable replacement.

Gagne first announced his plan to retire on Oct. 15 at a Board of Selectmen meeting on Feb. 26. In that meeting Gagne said that has time working for the town has been “interesting and rewarding” and that he has “enjoyed working with citizens” because of their excellent ideas.

As of Oct. 1, the committee has yet to choose a replacement as town administrator, meaning that Gagne’s retirement date may need to be pushed back later than he intended.

Gagne said that he has agreed to keep working while the town searches for his replacement. He added that the Screening Committee “will be continuing its search for a suitable candidate and is reaching out to some professionals to assist in this endeavor.”

A Screening Committee met for the first time on July 18 to begin the process of finding Gagne’s successor.  In that meeting, committee members identified municipal experience, and connections as important credentials for applicants. 

Gagne agreed with this, saying that if he doesn’t know how to answer a question, he can often ask someone else in his network.The committee also identified environmental experience as an important credential due to Mattapoisett’s coastal location.