Search reopens for Interim Town Administrator

         At the July 27 meeting of the Hopedale Select Board, Chairperson Glenda Hazard read a letter from then Interim Town Administrator Michael Gallagher.

         “Due to a recent health issue that has manifested for a family member, and considering the time and focus this will require of me, I regretfully must resign as the Interim Town Administrator for Hopedale. I’m truly honored that you had faith in me to be your Interim Town Administrator and feel terrible that I’m unable to fulfill the duties necessary to move the town forward. The town deserves my undivided attention to the important issues it faces and I would be doing the taxpayers a disservice if I attempted to divide my attention at this time.” He asked that his resignation be effective immediately.

         Gallagher was appointed on June 29.

         “Obviously, this is unexpected and sad news for all of us,” said Hazard. “We’re going to return to some of the people who applied a few weeks ago and reach out to whoever might be appropriate in that pool.”

         “I wish Mike well,” she added. “I’m sorry that this is the circumstance we all find ourselves in but he, like the rest of us, has to put his family first.”

         Gallagher’s last day was July 27. Soon after his resignation, Assistant Town Administrator Kelly Grant submitted her resignation; her last day will be Aug. 7. Grant had been a finalist for the interim job that went to Gallagher.

         When considering Grant for the interim position, Select Board member Bernie Stock, who served in the Town Administrator role in the 1970s, praised Grant’s commitment and her honesty. He said, “Her day is coming, I’ll tell you that right now. I see a point in her life where it’s just going to all fall together and it’s going to work for her; but these things are all about timing…Everything’s got to come together at the same time.”

         The June appointment of Gallagher was unanimous. For details, visit https://bit.ly/Hopedale-Gallagher.

         At its meeting on Aug. 3, the Select Board will interview two candidates for the interim position. The agenda can be found at www.hopedale-ma.gov.

         Recordings of Select Board meetings can be viewed https://townhallstreams.com.