Oak Bluffs police officer James Hagerty has been named the new Edgartown town administrator.
Selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday to offer Mr. Hagerty the job after interviewing four candidates. He will replace retiring town administrator Pamela Dolby when she retires in July.
“I was amazed at James Hagerty’s qualifications,” selectman Margaret Serpa said before the board voted to offer him the job.
Selectman chairman Michael Donaroma called Mr. Hagerty to tell him about the board’s decision.
“He accepts,” Mr. Donaroma told the other selectmen, who cheered.
The other finalists interviewed Tuesday were Edgartown procurement officer Juliet Mulinare, Tim O’Leary, assistant field officer at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, and John Ardaugh, an attorney from Manhattan, Ill. The candidates were selected by a committee appointed by selectmen.
Mr. Hagerty was born and raised on the Vineyard, graduated from Northeastern University, and served in the Marine Corps before joining the Oak Bluffs police department in 2016. He also has an MBA.
“I can handle a staff and can run a staff,” he told selectmen during the interview. “I was born here, I chose to come back here, I love it here.”
Selectmen said they were impressed by the four finalists, particularly Mr. Hagerty and Mr. O’Leary. Mr. Hagerty’s qualifications and Island roots won over selectmen.
“I would say he checks all of the boxes for me,” selectman Arthur Smadbeck said.
Mrs. Serpa agreed and made a motion to appoint him to the position. “He knows the community, he has a home, he has a family here...he has qualifications that will fit the position and I think he will do a good job.”
The board said they were happy Ms. Mulinare applied.
“Juliet was great, we know her,” Mr. Donaroma said. “She’s not quite ready yet, doesn’t quite have the background in economics.”
Selectmen said Mrs. Dolby would stay on board through the Fourth of July and help Mr. Hagerty with the transition.
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