The Nahant Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to give Town Administrator Tony Barletta a five-year contract extension at its latest meeting.
The extension will go into effect on July 1, 2024 and run through June 30, 2029. Selectman Gene Canty noted that extensions for town administrators have typically been for three years. However, the board’s members felt that five years was more sensible for both the town and Barletta in this instance.
“I think the fact that we’re extending it out for five years is support for the job that Tony is doing,” Canty said.
Chairman Mark Cullinan said that the contract is the result of a multi-month process, and added that he is satisfied with Barletta’s performance.
“It makes a lot more sense I think in this case, where the board is united in its support of Tony and the job he’s done for the Town of Nahant,” Selectman Josh Antrim said. “It’s better for planning purposes and for Tony’s personal life to have a five-year contract instead of three-year contract, where you’re always getting ready for the next go-around.”
Barletta expressed gratitude for the board’s offer and its members’ confidence in him, and thanked his fellow town employees.
“Their success is my success is our success,” Barletta said. “This contract really provides for stability in the town, through me to our employees and our team that is working so well together.”
Barletta was appointed as town administrator in July 2018. Previously, he had worked as the director of governmental affairs at the state Department of Energy Resources and the director of government affairs for the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.
