Justin Evans
Express correspondent
Halifax Town Administrator Cody Haddad announced his resignation during the Tuesday, April 29 Board of Selectmen meeting, effective at the end of July, marking the end of a two-year tenure that brought stability to the town.
“I will be resigning from my position as town administrator here effective at the end of July,” Haddad told the board. “It was a personal decision. I think that’s best for me and my family at this time.”
Haddad, who will be returning to Dartmouth as Town Administrator according to Dartmouth Week, emphasized his commitment to helping with the transition over the next few months.
“It certainly wasn’t anywhere near as long as Mr. Bruno’s,” Haddad said of his tenure. “But I think looking back I think I gave the town my all. I think we made a lot of progress.”
The announcement followed a meeting that began with heartfelt tributes to Chair John Bruno, who previously served five terms as a selectman before returning for his non-consecutive sixth term in 2022.
“In typical John Bruno fashion, he didn’t want anything big for his last meeting here,” said Haddad, who thanked express Bruno for his service. “In time of instability, you came back and provided the stability that the town needed.”
Jonathan Selig adds his appreciation, joking that “when I grow up, I want to be John Bruno.”
“We were in some tough times, and I always wondered if there was a bat signal that we sent out,” Selig says. “Because John heard it and to many degree rescued the town.”
Bruno, characteristically humble in his response, reflects on his time serving Halifax.
“I wasn’t expecting anything like this. It’s really unnecessary. It’s my town, too, so I don’t mind pitching in when I can,” Bruno said. “This go-around has been an adventure, really, kind of an adventure in a lot of ways. But I think we’ve managed to bring things back to stability.”
Bruno returned to the board after the resignations of two Selectmen and the Town Administrator, leaving Selig on his own, creating a leadership vacuum in the town.
Following Haddad’s announcement, board members express their appreciation for his leadership during his time in Halifax.
“Cody came in at a crossroads much like you did,” Selig tells Bruno. “He not only settled the waters a little bit but kind of charted a course for us.”
Selig notes that many residents have approached him to praise Haddad’s work, calling him “a shining star,” adding “We went from putting out fires in the now to thinking down the road. And that was refreshing. We started developing plans for not just the next six months, the next couple weeks, but like, what are we going to do down the road?”
Thomas Pratt, the newest member of the board, offered his perspective: “I have nothing to compare Cody to. I think with my election about a year ago, just under a year ago, I was supposed to come in with some sort of adversary reaction to the status quo. I never had another town administrator besides Cody.”
“Anybody you talk to in town, in this building, in this room, has nothing but glowing things to say,” Pratt adds. “I always felt prepared. I was always ready. I was never surprised at what was before us.”
The board discusses beginning the search for Haddad’s replacement immediately, with Bruno suggesting they aim for some overlap between administrators to ensure a smooth transition.
“The end of July will come here faster than we realize it,” Bruno says. “It’s better to have ideally… some sort of an overlap where whoever this is, if we could get them in, say by the beginning of July even.”
Haddad offered to reach out to search firms to get proposals for the board to review at their next meeting.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better tenure,” Haddad says. “I think we accomplished a lot. The board has been phenomenal. I speak with my colleagues all the time, and many people are not as fortunate as I am to have had such a phenomenal board.”
He assures the board and residents that he remains committed to Halifax for his remaining months.
“I’m not going anywhere yet. I still have a few months of work here. We still have a lot of work to do. I’m not going to let off the gas here.”
Haddad also promises continued support even after his departure: “My number is not changing. Even if I’m no longer here, I’ll always be supportive of Halifax.”
The meeting also included the introduction of Joe Braga as interim building commissioner, approval of a motorcycle safety awareness proclamation, and discussion of a petition article for town meeting regarding land acquisition.
The board unanimously approved several other items, including a $1.3 million borrowing for water treatment plant upgrades, a contract for Town Hall portico repairs, and a three-year contract for Town Accountant Lindsay Martinelli.