Last Day for the 3rd Longest-Serving Town Manager in Massachusetts

Danvers Town Manager Wayne Marquis, who is the third-longest serving town manager in the Commonwealth, is retiring after 35 years. His last day of work is Friday.

Marquis, who started in 1979, said it has been a privilege to serve as town manager in the town he grew up in. He said it is somewhat a rare occurrence for town managers to work in the community where they live.

Also a rare occurrence for most towns, is to have a town manager in place for so many years. A more typical lifespan for town managers in most communities is between 3 to 5 years.

The two longest-serving town managers in Massachusetts are Mike Sullivan, Medfield town administrator, started in 1975, and John Carroll, Norwood town manager, started in 1978, according to Marquis.

“It’s gone by quickly, faster than you ever think,” Marquis said. “Life goes by so quickly, and I plan to write the next chapter my life.”

.Marquis said he and his wife Sandy will continue to live in the community. As for his retirement plans. Marquis has quite a few plans.His first order of business for his retirement will be to take his two grandchildren to Story Land in New Hampshire.

He said he will continue to serve on the town’s Retirement Board for another two years until his term is up, serve on Salem State University’s board of trustees beginning this fall, take advantage of of volunteer opportunities in the community and take guitar lessons.

“And my wife would be first to tell you I have 30 years of deferred maintenance projects to catch up with around the house,” Marquis said.

After decades of running the town, Marquis said his proudest accomplishment has been the people he has hired, mentored and worked with for so many years.

“I think the most important legacy is the people you leave behind,” Marquis said. “I would define it by the quality of people you hire.”

Marquis pointed to Diane Norris as just one example of a great town employee. Norris has served as assistant town manager for over 26 years.

Selectmen voted to appoint Norris as interim town manager until Steve Bartha takes the helm. The board voted unanimously last week to appoint Bartha, the current assistant town manager in Avon, Ct., as Danvers new town manager.

Marquis had already removed most of his prized possessions from his second-floor office in Town Hall, but was still busy working on financial matters for the town’s electric utility and tying up a few other loose ends.

Marquis said he would need a bit of practice getting the hang of retirement, especially after so many years of managing the town.

“I feel like I’ve done the best job I could do,” Marquis said. “I’ve put my heart and soul into it.”

.