Mattapoisett taps Wareham man as harbormaster

Jul 22, 2019

MATTAPOISETT — Selectmen on Monday offered Jamie McIntosh, Wareham’s Assistant Deputy Director in the Department of Natural Resources, the town Harbormaster position. 

The town recently elected to make the harbormaster position full-time. Current part-time Harbormaster Jill Simmons could not accept the position, as a full-time role would cut her off from pension benefits. 

Selectmen also interviewed Adam Murphy, deputy harbormaster in Marion. After interviews, selectmen were torn between the two candidates. “Jaime might be the right choice by 1.5 percent. I’m that close,” Selectman Tyler Macallister said. 

McIntosh lives in Wareham and graduated Bridgewater State. He started out on the water as one of the youngest captains for Hy-line Cruises, and also serves as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Wareham. 

Asked how he would look to add more revenue to the department, McIntosh said he might raise fees. As unpopular as that option is, it allowed Wareham to “provide services to the town and its boaters that they love,” McIntosh said. He also floated the idea of combining the harbormaster’s office with the  Department of Natural Resources if the town wants it, as Wareham has done.  

Selectman Jordan Collyer also asked McIntosh how he would lead a team with diverse ages. McIntosh pointed out that Wareham has a mix of retired gentlemen who volunteer with the department and staff as young as 18. 

“If you treat everyone the same and with respect, you shouldn’t have issues,” McIntosh said. 

Selectmen interviewed both McIntosh and Murphy last week, along with three other candidates. They said that McIntosh interviewed better than Murphy last week, but this week they felt the reverse was true. Still, Macallister said that McIntosh was genuinely enthusiastic about the position last week. 

The Wareham candidate also has experience with aquaculture. The Town recently started an aquaculture program, which it is looking to expand. 

Murphy is a Rochester resident, graduated Old Rochester Regional High School, has served with the Marion Fire Department and currently still serves with the Marion Police Department, in addition to his deputy harbormaster duties. 

The decision to offer the position to McIntosh was unanimous. McIntosh will meet with selectmen July 23 to negotiate his salary and determine whether he will accept the position.