SAUGUS — Swampscott town accountant and Saugus resident Dave Castellarin said he’s happy to be on board as the newest member of the Saugus Finance Committee, although one critic called the appointment “political.”
“(Town Moderator) Bob Long called me and wanted to know if I was interested in doing it and I told him I would,” said Castellarin, who was appointed last week. “That’s my background anyway. That’s what I do. But it’s not the first thing I’ve done for the town. I’ve coached youth hockey and Little League. I’ve been in town quite a few years. People don’t realize that.”
Castellarin said he brings experience and knowledge to the committee as the assistant town administrator and town accountant for Swampscott along with eight years with the Mass. Department of Revenue.
Long called Castellarin a “terrific addition” to the committee and said he had a “damn good reason” for appointing him.
“He’s about as qualified a person I could get for that position,” said Long. “I have his resume from when he applied for Town Manager, and when I got a hold of it I said, ‘My goodness.’ If you have an opportunity, why wouldn’t you put him to work? He’s extremely well-qualified, and what I didn’t realize was that he had actually worked for the Department of Revenue.”
Castellarin will be replacing Diana White, who stepped down after serving “at least five or six years,” according to Long.
“She did a great job. It was tough to lose her,” he said.
Selectmen Vice Chairman Steve Castinetti said he thinks Castellarin was an “outstanding choice” based on his “qualifications and his experience.”
“I think if anybody doubts that they should look at his resume,” said Castinetti.
But while Long and Castinetti praised Castellarin, Town Meeting member Al DiNardo said he was “disappointed” in the pick.
“I know he was vying to be the manager, so I’m surprised Bob Long would do that,” said DiNardo. “I think it should have been publicly advertised because there are a lot of qualified people in the community who would like to see a non-political person involved. Who else is qualified that’s not connected to people?”
DiNardo also criticized Long for the appointment, saying he’s “a moderator” not “speaker of the house.”
“He’s supposed to filter this stuff through the mind of Town Meeting,” said DiNardo. “As one Town Meeting member, I’m not happy that it wasn’t duly advertised, especially after what we just went through with the former town manager. They talk about mending fences, how do you mend fences with that? I’ve been disappointed in Bob’s actions with many issues over the last three or four years and this just adds to it.”
Long brushed off the criticism, saying the only people who should fear having Castellarin on the committee are those “who continuously are choosing political sides.”
“The guy has absolutely terrific credentials for it,” said Long. “But, of course this being Saugus, you do have some people who continuously look at a us versus them mentality here. Finance Committee is made up of nine people. It’s never been used as a bully pulpit. It’s never been used for any member to push their own personal points of view.”
Castellarin said the criticism won’t be a distraction.
“I’ve got nothing to do with that,” he said. “I just want to help out as much as I can.”
Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].
