Note: The Town Council interviewed two of the four finalists for the position of Town Administrator, Denise Casey and Joseph Domelowicz, Tuesday night at Town Hall. The remaining two candidates, Liz Hartsgrove and Ann McGonigle Santos, will be interviewed tonight.
The Town Council anticipates making the appointment of a new town administrator to replace Stephen P. Maio, who retired from the position on July 3, at a special meeting Monday night.
Denise Casey, Deputy Town Manager, North Andover
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — Denise Casey has been Deputy Town Manager for the town of North Andover for the last six and a half years. Prior to that she served as that town’s Assistant Town Manager. A graduate of Danvers High School, Casey holds a master’s degree in public administration, which she earned in 1998 at Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School.
Asked to make an opening statement at her interview with the Town Council, Casey described public service as a calling.
“This is my life’s work,” she said. “I love what I do. Wakefield would be the pinnacle of my career.”
In response to a question from Town Councilor Stacey Constas, Casey said that she was proud of her role in North Andover’s response to COVID, where she was in charge of distributing hundreds of meals to the elderly and others in need.
Councilor Brian Fox asked Casey for her thoughts on the fact that Maio had 21 people directly reporting to him.
Casey said that 21 direct reports was a lot for one person, noting that the structure is different in North Andover, where there are assistant town managers and division heads. She said that it was important for people to get to know each other in person to prevent “siloing” of departments. She said that regular, in-person staff meetings can help to avoid that.
Asked to describe a significant learning experience, Casey talked about having to negotiate municipal union contracts during the recession of 2008-2009. She said that the experience helped her to become a better fiscal manager and taught her the importance of a conservative approach to budgeting.
Casey addressed the relative merits of having a town administrator who lives in the community versus one who does not. She said that municipal management is now much more of a professional career than it was years ago. She said that she has never lived and worked in the same town and maintained that she would be able to bring in new ideas while honoring what has been done in Wakefield in the past.
In response to another question, Casey talked about the importance of communication. She said that in 2025, citizens don’t come to Town Hall for services. Everything is done online. She said that being a presence at community events is a good way for a Town Administrator to bring Town Hall to residents and businesses.
Fox asked Casey to describe her management style.
“I don’t micromanage,” Casey said, calling her style “collaborative.” She likened a municipal manager to the conductor of an orchestra. “My job is to get everyone playing the same music toward the same goal.”
Councilor Doug Butler asked Casey to talk about her approach to municipal finance.
She said that in her current position, department heads know that her default expectation is a level-funded budget. If they need more, she said, they have to make a convincing case. She said that in the current fiscal environment, it may be necessary to start the budget process earlier.
Joseph Domelowicz, Town Manager, Hamilton
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — Joseph J. Domelowicz is currently Town Manager in Hamilton, Mass., a position he has held for seven years. Prior to that, he worked as Grants Manager/Assistant to the Town Manager in Winthrop for six years. He previously worked for three years as Senior Municipal Services Coordinator for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
Prior to his employment in municipal government, Domelowicz worked as an editor and reporter for several area newspapers. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1988 to 1991.
He was interviewed this week by the Town Council for the position of Wakefield Town Administrator.
Councilor John Crisley noted that Wakefield is somewhat larger than Winthrop or Hamilton. He asked Domelowicz how he would handle working in a larger community.
Domelowicz said that the work is the same, adding that the difference is just a matter of scale. Budgets still get built the same way, he said, and residents’ needs and problems are addressed in a similar fashion.
On the issue of living or not living in the community where he works, Domelowicz said that he didn’t see an advantage or disadvantage either way. He said that he could bring the perspective of having worked in another community. He added that he was ready to make a long-term commitment to Wakefield.
Asked about relations between the municipal side of government and the schools, Domelowicz said that he has had good relationships with the school superintendents in his current and previous jobs.
“It’s about building relationships and being honest about resources and limitations,” he said.
Councilor Mehreen Butt asked Domelowicz to discuss a difficult financial decision that he’s had to make.
He said that COVID hit as he was about to take the annual budget to the Hamilton Town Meeting. He said that despite having to eliminate almost $1 million from the budget, putting capital projects on hold and not being able to fill certain open positions, the town was able to continue to provide essential services to residents.
Councilor Brian Fox asked Domelowicz how he would promote transparency and accountability.
Domelowicz said that it was important for a manager to set an example by being transparent and forthcoming himself. “You share information and give straight answers,” he said.
Constas asked how Domelowicz would balance the interests of longtime residents versus newcomers.
Domelowicz said that the issue exists in all communities. He said that it was important to manage the conversation so that it doesn’t become contentious and make sure that people hear each other. Both sides love the community and want what’s best, he said.
Asked to identify the key opportunities and challenges facing Wakefield, Domelowicz said that he sees the town moving in the right direction and doing the right things. Economic development takes time, he added, and it’s important to brag about your successes and make sure that the word is getting out.