The Swampscott Select Board unanimously reappointed Gino Cresta as the interim town administrator.
Cresta, who was raised in Swampscott, has led the Department of Public Works (DPW) since 2003. He was first appointed interim town administrator on December 16, and his current term expires June 18, according to Select Board Chair Katie Phelan.
The Swampscott charter allows for the new appointment to be for up to six months again.
“Thank you for your support,” Cresta said in the Select Board meeting on Wednesday. “I appreciate it.”
Cresta has been balancing both roles as interim town administrator and the director of the DPW for six months now. He previously served as the acting town administrator from late 2016 to early 2017.
“Thank you for all of the work you’ve been doing with your appointment,” Select Board Member Danielle Leonard said. “You’ve been doing a lot. You’ve been doing two jobs, and I appreciate it.”
The interim appointment follows the resignation of former Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald at the end of 2024. 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.
As part of the search process, the Town Administrator Search Committee is currently gauging Swampscott residents’ opinions. The survey, which can be found on SwampscottMa.gov, is open until Monday, June 9. Questions center around what qualities, priorities and experiences matter most to residents.
A job posting for the new town administrator is also live.
“The successful candidate will possess exceptional oral and written communication skills, a thorough understanding of municipal finances, budgets, procurement, Massachusetts general laws, collective bargaining in Massachusetts, personnel management, and planning, as well as the ability to establish strong working relationships with the Select Board, community, town committees, and staff,” the listing on Mass Town Careers reads.
Applications are to be sent to Richard White, of Groux-White Consulting, at rickwhite58@verizon.net.
The Town Administrator Search Committee previously said they expect interviews to start on July 21, which will be followed by a presentation of top candidates to the Select Board on August 4.
The Select Board will negotiate salary and benefits with the final candidate. The Mass Town Career posting lists the current salary range as $200,000 and above.
