Swampscott will receive a partial refund of funds paid to former Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald due to a statement error.

The Swampscott Contributory Retirement Board unanimously approved the refund on Tuesday morning. The board did not specify the amount of the refund. As of the meeting, Fitzgerald – who has not served as town administrator since last fall – had not been notified of the error. He is expected to receive a formal letter of notification.

Fitzgerald, a North Shore native, began serving as Swampscott’s town administrator in 2017, after previously working as town manager of Plaistow, New Hampshire. Before that, he served as chief of staff to Mayor Michael Bonfanti in Peabody.

He became Swampscott’s third town administrator, filling the vacancy left by Thomas Younger, who left to become Stoneham’s head administrator.

Fitzgerald’s initial contract ran through June 30, 2020, with a starting salary of $128,500, increasing to $129,800 in July 2018 and $132,400 in the final year.

After his initial contract ended, the Select Board, then known as the Board of Selectmen, signed a five-year extension retaining Fitzgerald through June 30, 2025. That contract had a salary cap at $165,612. He received a $15,000 signing bonus as well. 

Fitzgerald resigned with just months remaining on his contract, about two months after taking a medical leave.

During a public interview for the Danvers town manager position, Fitzgerald cited disagreement with newly elected Select Board members as a key reason for stepping down after eight years.

“There were some members of the (Select) Board who had recently been elected and, frankly, we just disagreed about a number of things,” Fitzgerald said at the time. “I thought it would be best to negotiate a separation because sometimes you just get to a point where philosophically you just don’t see the same vision.”

Fitzgerald went on to say he wanted to “do my best to try to leave in a way that would help support the principles that I had” while also supporting the town.

Despite resigning, Fitzgerald continued to receive regular pay through the end of his contract on June 30, according to documents shared by Select Board Member David Grishman on Facebook.

He received $13,801.40 for all vacation time earned and accrued prior to the start of his leave of absence, bringing his total compensation to $159,283.

Fitzgerald was still paying “normal taxes and withholdings,” including dental insurance and retirement contributions. 

The agreement was signed on December 10 by the Select Board and on December 11 by Fitzgerald.

Gino Cresta, director of the Department of Public Works, has served as interim town administrator since Fitzgerald’s departure. He also previously served as the acting town administrator from late 2016 to early 2017. 

The Town Administrator Search Committee is currently interviewing candidates to permanently replace Fitzgerald. Cresta did not apply for the position. 

The Select Board is expected to receive the names of the three to five finalists on August 7 or 8 for the board to then review and interview.