IPSWICH − The Select Board last week voted unanimously to offer the town manager position to Brendan Sweeney, a native son, who currently serves as Boxford’s assistant town administrator.
Sweeney was selected over fellow finalist Steve Bartha, Lexington’s town manager, while a third candidate, West Newbury Town Manager Angus Jennings, announced he would become the business manager at Whittier Vocational and Technology High School. A total of forty people applied for the position of Ipswich Town Administrator.
SelectBoard Chair Michael Doughtery called the decision of selecting the successor to Stephen Craine, as town administrator, one of “the most important decisions” the SelectBoard will make. Carl Younger has served as interim town manager.
The town administrator in Ipswich has a lot of authority, making many decisions that shape the town, Doughtery said.
All five board members noted Sweeney’s ties to Ipswich, where his parents still live. Doughtery quoted Sweeney saying it would be a “homecoming” for him to work in Ipswich.
An Ipswich High School graduate, Sweeney has served for nearly four years as Boxford’s assistant town administrator and finance director.
Vice Chair Charles Surpitski said Boxford Town Administrator Matt Coogan told him he would miss Sweeney, and a finance committee member wanted to wear a sign to their meeting that said Don’t Take Brendan.
Working in Sweeney’s favor was his age. Being in the first half of his career, Sweeney has the opportunity “to make his bones” in Ipswich, Doughtery said. He added it would be good if Ipswich could have the town administrator stay more than four years.
Sarah Player said one of the challenges for Sweeney will be “to heal some of the fractures” that exist among what she described as “a very skilled” town staff. She noted Sweeney’s career has included being Boxford’s finance director and has served at the state level as well as an elected official on the Beverly City Council and running for mayor.
“He is very experienced on a lot of levels,” Player said.
Alexson said she was impressed that Sweeney did not avoid difficult questions and expects he will do the same with residents and staff.
The SelectBoard entered into an executive session after the vote to begin negotiating an offer to Sweeney. ♦
