MARBLEHEAD – At Wednesday night’s Select Board meeting, Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer’s contract was renewed for another three years.
“We were just really happy to renew the contract,” Chair Erin Noonan said, kicking off the conversation. “It’s something that’s mutually agreeable so that it’s reflective of COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) in the first year as well as a merit-based performance review and changes in market conditions.
“We’re just really pleased to be able to continue (with) your strategic thinking and visioning and all the hard work that you put into the Town of Marblehead. You’ve really left a big footprint here with a lot of different initiatives that you started.”
Select Board member Moses Grader added that Kezer is “one of the reasons why I say I’m more optimistic about the Town.”
“You bring a level of sophistication and strategy about how to restructure the Town without an override, along with hiring and keeping a fantastic team that works overtime, so we’re super pleased,” Grader said.
Noonan asked for a motion to approve the employment contract, as prepared by Town Counsel, between the Town and Kezer, and it was approved unanimously and with resounding support. In fact, when the board was asked to raise their hands in support of the motion, Noonan raised both hands. The room chuckled at her gesture before it erupted with applause toward Kezer.
Noonan said she felt Kezer has exemplified “grace under fire and pressure.” She added that, as it’s her second year as chair of the board, she has valued his “constant professionalism” and incredible leadership.
“We’re really lucky to have such a seasoned, experienced leader in town,” she said.
Select Board member Dan Fox quickly switched the somber mood back to a playful one as he joked that “we really need a successful July 4.” Select Board member Bret Murray followed Fox’s lead, jesting that there’s actually a clause in this newly approved contract which allows for “temporary resignation… in the fine print.”
Kezer said he couldn’t believe it’s already been three years since he became Marblehead’s town administrator, adding that “it’s gone by fast.”
“I am having fun doing this. It doesn’t look like it sometimes, but I’m having fun doing this,” he joked. “One of the things I’m most proud of in the last couple years is the team we’ve built and the collaboration between the team and the working together. Everyone’s vision is toward making Marblehead better, making it work and making it better, not just showing up for a job. That’s how I feel, and that’s the sense I get from the folks here.”
He continued that, given his background in municipal government is primarily with cities and larger communities as well as with mayors and as mayor himself, he had some “trepidation” in working with a select board, which has five different personalities that must work hand in hand.
“That trepidation is gone,” Kezer said, “and what’s really important is having a really good board (and) being able to work with every member. It’s important in general to have that good, working relationship and making things work well.
“It’s even more important when the wheels are falling off the wagon and all Hell’s breaking loose (to have) a board that’s solid, that works with you and says, ‘Let’s work this through.’ I feel lucky and pleased to have a board, present and past… (where) everybody’s been so cooperative working with me, so thank you all.”
