Other Peabody News:
Warning label handed to PVMHS
70 Endicott could be kept as open space
Children's Hospital announces new location in Centennial Park
Fitzgerald heads to New Hampshire for town manager job
by John Castelluccio
PEABODY – Sean Fitzgerald, Mayor Michael Bonfanti’s chief of
staff, is heading north to the Granite State for a new job, but he’s
quick to point out that Peabody will remain his home for years to come.
“In many ways this is a career path decision,” Fitzgerald said,
adding that he sees it as a growth opportunity to move forward in his career
as a public administrator and gain some valuable experience.
On Nov. 24, Fitzgerald will start his first day as the town manager of
Plaistow, New Hampshire, a town of about 8,000 people and a $7.5 million budget
that’s just over the state line from Haverhill. He has signed on for
a three-year contract at a salary of $85,000, which is about a $23,000 bump
from his current position.
“We are excited to have Sean on board,” said Board of Selectmen
Chairman John Sherman in a press release. “We need a hands-on town manager
to tackle our current budget issues,” he said, noting that the town
is busily wrapping up its fiscal year, developing next year’s budget
and preparing for its annual town meeting.
Fitzgerald said the major change in moving to town government is one of
magnitude, since fundamental issues stay the same, such as dealing with the
foreclosure crisis, public education, etc. He said he believes his time in
Peabody will bring some new perspectives to issues, which might not be evident
outside of city government. He has already met with Plaistow town officials
on weekends, and admits that the first six months will be tough, but feels
his diverse experience will be an asset to the job.
Fitzgerald started out in local government in 1994 when was appointed by
former Mayor Peter Torigian as a budget analyst to the Essex County Advisory
Board – a board of 10 mayors and 24 selectmen from among cities and
towns in the county.
Fitzgerald said he gained valuable insight and knowledge of municipal finance
issues, both from a town and city perspective during his years as an analyst,
before joining Bonfanti’s administration in 2002 as Chief of Staff.
Throughout those 14 years, Fitzgerald has worked on numerous projects and
developed policy initiatives, such as the construction of two elementary schools,
renovations at the high school, the planned renovations to the middle school
and the city’s analysis on joining a regional vocational school merger
at Essex Agricultural Institute, all during his 11 years on the School Building
Committee. He has also served on other local boards and committees, such as
the Board of Directors for North Shore Community Action Programs and Marian
Court College and chairing the Ward 1 Democratic Committee. Fitzgerald helped
jumpstart discussions among local non-profit groups and social service agencies
to network together and coordinated emergency response efforts with other
city officials to assist those displaced by the four-alarm blaze at the Highlands
at Dearborn complex in May.
Fitzgerald has also made his political ambitions clear, challenging incumbent
state Rep. Joyce Spiliotis (D-Peabody) in 2006 for her 12th Essex District
seat, but losing in the primaries by about 500 votes. He had planned to run
in 2004 as well, but did not do so after his father became ill. He has also
served on the state Democratic Committee.
“Sean has been a trusted friend and advisor over these last seven years.
He is someone who can both think creatively and make things happen,” said
Bonfanti in a press release, characterizing Fitzgerald as “talented” and “tireless.” Bonfanti
noted his efforts on grant writing, legislative advocacy and policies that
helped secure key funding for such projects as the city’s flood mitigation
efforts and Fitzgerald’s involvement in managing planning and construction
details on school projects. Bonfanti said he was “sorry” to see
him go, adding that Fitzgerald has been an “essential” and part
of his administration and contributed to every major project the city has
undertaken.
“It’s a loss to us, but a gain to [Plaistow],” Bonfanti
said, which he sees as part of Fitzgerald’s growth as a civic leader. “He’ll
still be around as a political advisor,” Bonfanti added, which he plans
to take advantage of.
Fitzgerald echoed those sentiments: he’s melancholic about leaving City
Hall, but he’s planning on staying in touch.
“I still would like to be a resource for folks – for people who
are struggling and in need,” he said. “It’s an extraordinary
opportunity to help people,” he said – one which he thoroughly
enjoyed. He is planning on stepping back from several local commitments, out
of necessity, such as NSCAP and the School Building Committee, but will continue
to support the work each is doing.
Fitzgerald also extended effusive thanks to his colleagues over the past
several years, whom he said he greatly respects for often facing “unfair” criticisms
and expectations, but not often flinching when their services are needed in
emergencies.
“I really feel like I have been privileged to work as part of a team,” he
said, adding that common goals often undercut political bickering at the day’s
end. “Nobody’s perfect in this business, but [Bonfanti] is a good
guy. Peabody is in good shape,” he said. “I will miss Peabody.”
Fitzgerald will be missed too. Dianne Marchese, secretary to Bonfanti,
has worked with Fitzgerald over the years and said his sincerity is striking.
“Sean is one of the most genuine, kind, passionate people I know,” she
said, adding that while it may sound “corny,” Fitzgerald is always
quick to offer help and long in keeping at it. One example she offered was
that he often takes calls from residents in need of housing services and will “fight
for them until they get what they need.”
“He’s a really good egg,” she said. “We’ll miss
him.”
School Committee members praised Fitzgerald for his efforts on school building
projects and extended their well wishes last week.
“We wish him well,” said Beverly Griffin Dunne.
Fitzgerald, 38, is a Peabody native and lifelong resident. Coming from
a family of six, he graduated from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School in
1988 and went on to receive a political science degree from Central Connecticut
State University. He and his wife, Jennifer (who is an adjunct math professor
at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill and at North Shore Community
College), currently live in South Peabody, and he said they have no plans
to move – besides, Plaistow is only 30 miles away. “It’ll
be nice to meet her for lunch,” he said.
Fitzgerald calls Peabody a “great American city,” unique in its
own right with a lot of potential, in which he hopes to raise his own children – in
fact, he and Jennifer have already started on that endeavor. They are expecting
a son in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
As for future political ambitions, he’s not ruling them out, but Fitzgerald
declined to speak on the record about them.
Bonfanti said he’s planning on finding a new Chief of Staff.
“It’s one of the essential positions you have in an administration,” he
said.
“We’re looking. We’re getting some unsolicited calls,” he
said, noting that the ideal candidate would need public speaking, writing
and creative skills and be able to function well independently. “One
of the big things is trust.” |
