NORTHBOROUGH – As the town searches for a new town administrator, officials will also be looking for an assistant town administrator as well.
Interim Town Administrator Bob Reed announced the resignation of Assistant Town Administrator Becca Meekins on Aug. 14. Her last day in Town Hall will be Aug. 31.
“The decision to resign was not an easy one, and it comes after careful consideration and reflection of my personal and professional goals,” Meekins wrote in her resignation letter shared with the Community Advocate. “I believe this change is a positive step in my career journey, and I am grateful for the support and opportunities provided by the Town of Northborough throughout my time here.”
Meekins joined the town in 2020.
Photo/submitted
She said serving in this position has been an “enriching and rewarding experience.”
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“I have had the privilege to work alongside a dedicated and talented team as well as engage with Northborough’s vibrant community,” Meekins wrote. “During my tenure, I have learned valuable lessons, gained essential skills and contributed to various projects and initiatives that I am proud of.”
During the meeting, Reed said that Meekins has done “outstanding work” for Northborough.
“I can’t put into words what a loss this is going to be. I would have been lost without her here. The next interim is going to be lost without Becca here,” Reed said.
“I think you’ve done a fabulous job,” said Select Board member Lisa Maselli.
New interim Northborough town administrator appointed
Meekins’ resignation is the latest change happening in the town administrator’s office.
Earlier this year, a search for town administrator kicked off after longtime administrator John Coderre left. The search resulted in three finalists.
The Select Board extended a conditional offer of employment to Courtney Friedland, though she withdrew her candidacy in late July.
Since, the board has discussed beginning the new search in early September.
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The Select Board also appointed a new interim town administrator during a meeting on Aug. 16. In the past, Select Board Chair Mitch Cohen has said that Northborough’s charter limited the duration of an interim to six months. The board appointed Reed April 3.
“Bob joined us with the expectation that we would be hiring a new town administrator within three or four months or so,” Cohen said Aug. 16.
He added, “He’s let us know that he wants to play golf a little more often and enjoy the outdoors and things like that, and I can’t blame him.”
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During the Aug. 16 meeting, the board interviewed Michael Gallagher and Julian Suso before ultimately appointing Gallagher, pending a background check and a successful negotiation of his contract.
Gallagher spent several years working in the private sector before joining the town of Weymouth as the director of administrative services.
“I found that I really loved the work,” he said.
He stayed in Weymouth until 2015 when he joined the town of Attleboro. Gallagher retired in 2021; he’s served as the interim town administrator in Somerset and is currently their chief procurement officer.
Gallagher said he could begin the interim position as soon as Sept. 1.
As for a new assistant town administrator, that appointment is made by the town administrator.
“I think there’s going to be a serious gap because it would be my recommendation —and it’s going to take several months because as you mentioned, Mitch, the recruitment will start after Labor Day — but it’ll be several months before you have someone on board,” Reed said on Aug. 14.
Reed said the next town administrator should make the appointment, to which Cohen said he agreed.
