After Months, Marshfield Is Still Without A Town Administrator
Nearly eight months after Marshfield parted ways with former Town Administrator Michael Maresco, the town remains without a permanent replacement following a Select Board decision not to appoint either finalist presented through the most recent search process.
During December meetings, the Select Board interviewed two finalists, Carl Geffken and Leilani Dalpe, reviewed their qualifications, discussed the town’s fiscal outlook, and assessed whether either candidate was the right long-term fit for Marshfield. In the end, board members concluded that neither finalist met the town’s needs at a time when leadership stability and financial oversight were top priorities.
Select Board Chair Eric Kelley said the decision was not one the board was willing to rush, noting that the position carries a three-year term under the town charter and oversees a municipal budget of significant size.
“This is a big decision for the select board to make,” Kelley said, adding that the board needed confidence in the direction it chose.
Since Maresco’s departure in April, Marshfield has relied on interim leadership. Two acting town administrators have served during that period, allowing the town to continue day-to-day operations, budget forecasting, and departmental oversight while the search moved forward.
As part of the process, the board worked with a search committee and reviewed feedback from department heads and union leadership. Despite that input, board members raised concerns that neither finalist was adequately prepared for the structure of Marshfield’s government or the specific challenges facing Massachusetts municipalities.
Several members pointed to the town’s decentralized governance model, where the town administrator has limited authority under the charter, as a key factor in evaluating candidates. Board members said familiarity with Massachusetts municipal operations and experience navigating those constraints were essential.
Select Board member Steve Darcy emphasized the scale of the decision.
“Given the size of the annual town budget, this is a $300 million decision,” Darcy said.
Board members also expressed concern about long-term fit. While acknowledging the professional experience of one finalist, Kelley said he worried that approach and perspective did not align with Marshfield’s character.
“Mr. Geffken comes with many years of experience and knowledge that cannot be overlooked,” Kelley said. At the same time, Kelley said he was concerned that a big-city mindset could conflict with Marshfield’s priorities.
“In my opinion, that is a recipe for disaster for the town of Marshfield,” he said.
Regarding Dalpe, Kelley said local familiarity was a positive but ultimately did not outweigh reservations about whether the candidate could guide the town through its current financial and operational challenges.
Other board members agreed that continuing the search was preferable to making an appointment they were uncertain about, particularly given the town’s current fiscal pressures and the importance of rebuilding confidence in town leadership.
Board members emphasized that Marshfield is in a stronger position than many communities because interim leadership has provided continuity. Members cited Interim Town Administrator Charlie Sumner’s work on financial forecasting and operational oversight, along with support from other experienced administrators, as reasons the town could afford to take more time.
Public comment during the meeting reflected similar views. One resident said the board’s caution was warranted and supported waiting for a candidate with deeper Massachusetts experience.
For now, the Select Board plans to continue operating with interim leadership while reassessing the search process. Members discussed refining the job description, improving outreach, and being more explicit about the town’s challenges to attract candidates better aligned with Marshfield’s needs.
While the search remains unresolved, board members stressed that the goal is not speed but stability.