The Halifax Board of Selectmen unanimously appointed Robert Fennessy as Interim Town Administrator July 1, selecting him from two candidates interviewed for the temporary position.
Fennessy, who most recently served as town administrator in Carver, brings more than 40 years of experience in municipal government, law enforcement, and legal practice to Halifax. His appointment is subject to successful contract negotiations and background checks.
“I have a ton of background in management,” Fennessy told the board during his interview. “I have kind of a collaborative management style. I make people feel respected and appreciated for what they do.”
The board conducted interviews with Fennessy and Ari Sky, a former Lakeville Town Administrator with extensive financial management experience. Both candidates emphasized their commitment to maintaining stability during the transition period while the town searches for a permanent administrator.
Fennessy’s career spans law enforcement, municipal administration, and legal practice. He began as a police officer with the MSPCA law enforcement division, working his way up to Deputy Chief before attending law school and establishing a private practice. He later became a professor at UMass Law School, teaching municipal law, animal law, and employment law.
His municipal experience includes serving as town administrator in Boylston, Kingston, and most recently Carver, where he worked as an Interim Administrator before accepting the permanent position. He also served six terms as a Selectman in Plainville.
“I look at managing, not managing people, but bringing them on board so they feel respected,” Fennessy explained. “Whether you work for a highway or, you know, being a custodian or a department head or a committee member, a board member, or even a volunteer. I mean, you’ve got to bring them to you and bring them into the fold, or else they’re going to be bucking you all the way.”
Board Chair Jonathan Selig noted that both candidates were strong choices with different strengths. Board member Thomas Pratt highlighted Fennessy’s varied background, including his police experience, legal training, and HR knowledge.
“I thought they were both strong with different strengths,” Pratt said during the board’s deliberation. “I think Bob was quite strong in his background in the police, police background, the legal background, the HR background, a lot of different hats.”
Fennessy emphasized his approach to interim positions differs from permanent roles. He focuses on supporting existing staff and maintaining operations rather than implementing major changes.
“I look at being an interim a lot differently than I look at being a permanent,” he said. “Interim, I want to make sure they know that I’m here to support the board and support the staff and make sure that they know that, that they can count on me to take care of things that come to my attention.”
The new interim administrator plans to begin by meeting with all department heads individually and conducting group meetings to understand current operations and needs. He stressed the importance of maintaining communication and ensuring no surprises for the board.
“The first thing I would do is get a lay of the land, you know, meet the staff here,” Fennessy said. “And a short time later I’d make sure we had a department head meeting to go through what is going on as a group.”
Fennessy stressed that he has experience with Massachusetts municipal law, open meeting law, and public records requirements.
“Having a legal mind that I have, I can read something and instantly meander through it and know what we have to do,” he said. “You’re not having a Town Administrator who has to call legal counsel all the time.”
The interim administrator expressed familiarity with the Halifax area, having worked with several MSPCA officers who lived in town during his law enforcement career. He and his wife recently visited Halifax to familiarize themselves with the community.
Fennessy indicated his availability extends through the duration of the search process, with one planned vacation to the Greek Islands in September. He proposed working 28 to 38 hours per week across four days, taking advantage of the town’s Friday closure.
Current Town Administrator Cody Haddad, whose last day is July 8, praised the positive changes in town culture over the past two and a half years and offered to assist with the transition.
“If you look at where the town was two and a half years ago to where it is now, it’s not close to the same period,” Haddad said. “The culture has totally changed. All positive.”
The board plans to enter executive session to discuss contract negotiations with Fennessy. Board members expressed confidence in both candidates but ultimately felt Fennessy’s well-rounded experience and familiarity with the region made him the best fit for the interim role.
Selig noted the stark improvement in candidate quality compared to the town’s previous administrator search three years ago, calling it “a breath of fresh air” and crediting Halifax’s improved reputation for attracting quality candidates.
The appointment comes as Halifax faces various municipal challenges, including potential budget pressures and ongoing development issues. Fennessy’s experience with budget processes and municipal operations positions him to help guide the town through the transition period while maintaining stability for residents and staff.