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Last night, the Board of Selectmen was scheduled to interview two finalists to head the Department of Public Works and possibly vote on an appointment. Instead, the meeting was postponed indefinitely.
As I share this news, I have more details about the candidates and the recent public discussion surrounding the hiring process and the outgoing superintendent.
Finalists for the job
The finalists listed for interview last night were Megan Condon and Phil McNulty. No resumes were posted, but I found information about DPW professionals in the state with those names.
On LinkedIn, Megan Condon of Ashland is listed as having worked as an engineer for Wellesley’s DPW since 2006. For the past 10 years, she has held the title of systems engineer. The department’s website lists her title as assistant superintendent of water and sanitation. (It’s worth noting that it appears the city is currently looking to hire a new water superintendent.) She graduated from Merrimack College with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
The City of Stoughton lists Phil McNulty as their Water and Sewer Superintendent. According to the Falmouth Enterprise, McNulty has been in this job for at least 7 years and another three in Norfolk. The article also mentions that he served as an assistant superintendent in Stoughton.
As for the reasons why he was covered in this document, it was in September 2020 when he was hired by the Falmouth Select Board to become their water manager. He never seemed to get the gig. (In December 2020, they voted to hire other candidates. At that meeting, they cited a long search but did not mention the previous vote.)
According to a statement from Chair Cathy Cook, the Board decided to reschedule the two interviews last night after one of the candidates had an “unexpected personal issue.”
Hiring process
In public hearings, City Administrator Mark Purple hoped to be able to present at least three finalists to the Board.
In the fall, after receiving 60 days’ notice from outgoing Superintendent Karen Galligan, the Board of Selectmen voted on a process to quickly recruit a new DPW chief. Instead of spending on a recruiter, the city will rely on the city administrator’s office and an interview committee to screen applicants and recommend finalists for the Board to interview.
In comments at Tuesday night’s regular Select Board meeting this week, a Planning Board member criticized the Select Board for not including the town planner as one of those panelists. Marnie Hoolahan told them she fears the process is flawed and not in the city’s best interest.
Hoolahan emphasized that the DPW chief and the planning board must work together strong partnership. She pointed to the management of the stone walls and scenic drive trees as an example of how the relationship “failed” under the former DPW chief. She then argued the merits of involving planning specialist Karina Quinn in the process.
The planning member pointed to Quinn’s expertise as a civil engineer, understanding of some of the requirements and responsibilities of a DPW superintendent, perceived reputation as a fair man, and “extensive network throughout the state for doing due diligence and gathering information.” She urged the Board of Selectmen to delay its decision until Quinn has had a chance to speak with the candidates.
The statement was made during public comment and nothing on the agenda mentioned the topic – so the Board chose not to provide any response.
Protection of the departed superior
Hoolahan is not the only one to have made public statements in recent months critical of Galligan’s performance or the board’s oversight of her. At the previous Select Board meeting on Dec. 20, Cook spoke out against some of the recent criticism.
The chair of the select board read aloud a lengthy personal statement defending the actions of outgoing DPW Superintendent Karen Galligan (as well as the selection board) connected to the controversial Via San Marco and Park. She referred to the recent attacks on Galligan, made through emails and posts on this blog, as “brutal”.
Cook made the announcement as part of a discussion about next steps for the project. Cook said both the Board and Galligan have acknowledged past wrongdoing. She rejected accusations that there was any corruption in the park project or that decisions were made to favor San Marco School over city residents. Cook highlighted the complex work, Galligan’s good reputation among staff in a male-dominated field and her continued efforts to work with other departments and keep her budget increases low. She told the public that the Board “sincerely wishes Karen success.” (You can see that here.)
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