MATTAPOISETT — The Board of Selectmen voted Feb. 4 to offer Michael Lorenco the town administrator position because of his fit with the town, positive references and financial experience. The offer is subject to contract negotiations on both sides.

Current Town Administrator Michael Gagne is retiring after ten years in the job. 

Lorenco, who lived in Mattapoisett for most of his life, was one of three finalists for the position chosen from 40 applications. The others were John Bugbee and James Duggan. Duggan withdrew his name from the race on Friday. 

Lorenco is currently the Assistant Town Administrator and Finance Director in Eastham. He was previously a Budget and Finance Manager in the business department of Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown.

He listed personal familiarity with the town as one of his qualifications. He graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School, his father owns a restaurant in town, his brother was once a Mattapoisett police officer, and many of his relatives still live in the town. 

In his public interview on Jan. 28, Lorenco emphasized his financial management background, saying that he often writes grants. 

Selectmen responded positively to this skill, with Jordan Collyer remarking that “municipal finance background is something that is hard to teach on the job.” 

Lorenco said that he spends a lot of time researching topics to figure out the best approach.  “I like to consider myself a sponge,” he commented. He also likes to meet with staff frequently. 

Selectmen had the chance to do one on one interviews with the two remaining candidates on Friday. Both took different approaches to choosing Lorenco. 

Paul Silva said that he thought both candidates were qualified for the job, but he was drawn to Lorenco’s financial side.  He spoke to several individuals on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, where Bugbee had previously served as a Town Administrator in Tisbury. 

He was  drawn to Lorenco as a candidate who likely “has some real energy behind him,” as he starts his first Town Administrator position. 

Collyer started by talking to references and found no real negatives for Lorenco, though he stated that Bugbee was more of a mixed bag. 

He spoke with many of the department heads, something that Silva made a point not to do. Collyer’s goal in those conversations was not to reach a consensus as much as to check where he might have missed things. Many of them supported Lorenco. 

He felt that Bugbee would have done the job well, but may not have been the right fit for Mattapoisett. 

It is unknown at this point when Lorenco would start, but it is likely to be a month or two before the Annual Town Meeting. Gagne has offered to stay on to coach the new town administrator, if his successor would like the support.