MATTAPOISETT —  The Mattapoisett Town Administrator  Screening Committee formed to find Michael Gagne’s successor has narrowed the field down to three finalists, and Selectmen have resolved to make a decision by Feb. 4. The three final applicants are the Chief Procurement Officer of Franklin, the former Town Manager of Dracut, and the Assistant Town Administrator and Finance Director of Eastham.

Gagne first announced his plan to retire at a Board of Selectmen meeting on Feb. 26 of last year. He intended to leave his position by October 15, but no replacement had been found by then, and he continues to serve as Town Administrator today.  

John Petrin, of Community Paradigm Associates, met with Gagne, Selectman Jordan Collyer and Paul Silva, and members of the Town Administrator Screening Committee on Thursday, Jan. 23 to discuss the final steps of their search for Gagne’s replacement. 

The three finalists the committee selected are John Bugbee, James Duggan, and Michael Lorenco. 

Bugbee is currently the Chief Procurement Officer of Franklin, and was previously the Town Administrator of Tisbury, and a mayoral aide in Newburyport. 

In his cover letter for applying to the job, he emphasised how working in the coastal town of Tisbury makes him a strong choice for Mattapoisett. 

“Having previously worked as a Town Administrator  in a small New England seaside community, I am looking to return to this type of position,” he wrote.

Duggan’s resume includes roles as Town Manager of Dracut, and Chief Administrative Officer of Gloucester. 

In his cover letter, he wrote “my management style is one of team building and I lead by setting a strong example.”

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.

Lorenco also listed personal familiarity with the town as one of his qualifications. In his cover letter, he said that Mattapoisett was his hometown for most of his life, 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. 

Selectmen Tyler Macallister resigned in the fall of 2019, reportedly to pursue the Town Administrator position. At this time, it remains unclear whether he actually applied for the position, or what he plans to do next.

Petrin said that the committee reviewed about 40 applicants in total, and ranked them into tiers based on their presumed potential for the job. 

Committee member John DeCosta said that applicants were judged 50% on their skillset, and 50% on how well they fit the needs and character of the town. 

By Jan. 8, the committee narrowed the field down to seven semifinalists, and four finalists by Jan. 13, although one has since dropped out. 

Public interviews of the final three applicants will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. at the Mattapoisett Town Hall. Selectmen will give each applicant about an hour to make their case for why they should be chosen. 

Private interviews will then take place on Feb.3, and selectmen have resolved to choose the next Town Administrator by Feb. 4.