Selectmen Choose Chelgren for Town Administrator

At their meeting at Wednesday night, the Board of Selectmen unanimously selected Jeffrey Chelgren, of Lynn, as their choice for Marblehead's new Town Administrator.

Chelgren, who currently serves as Wenham's Town Administrator, has worked at since June 2002, when he replaced Steve Delaney. Previous roles included serving as assistant town manager and land use director in Westford.

He was in Nahant's search for a new Town Administrator in December.

"I'm hoping this will be the last location of my career," Chelgren said during his interview. "I'd like to settle in and really make a mark on this community. I’d like to last out my career and really close it out with a bang."

When board members asked Chelgren what he would aim to accomplish in his first 90 days in office, he said his efforts would be focused on researching the issues facing the town and familiarizing himself with community leaders.

"It’s interesting, in a career like this one you really start to make changes by year five," Chelgren said, "and if you can work hard enough to keep that momentum going past year 7, it really helps you to make a lasting impact."

Chelgren listed being a local resident among the reasons he felt he would be a good pick for the town's top post, describing Marblehead as a "precious jewel."

"I am a patron of s parish in Marblehead and have always kept my eye on the town and the way it has been managed," Chelgren said. "Marblehead is such an admirable community and this has been an opportunity that I've been long waiting for...I'd love to use my skills to help further the goals and objectives of Marblehead."

Chelgren reportedly made $93,899 last year, according to Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Chelgren will take the reins from longtime Marblehead Town Administrator Tony Sasso when he retires in the spring after 18 years on the job. Sasso was recently selected as the the 's Man of the Year.

Board members confirmed that Sasso has said he is willing to stick around after he retires to help Chelgren until he gets a handle on things.

"I consider myself a 24/7 guy," Chelgren said when asked how much time he would put into the position. "The thing I've always loved about this profession is that it's never boring and it's always changing."

Also interviewing before the board Wednesday was Thomas Younger, 55, who is currently serving as interim Town Manager in Ipswich. Younger formerly served as Belmont's Town Administrator and was the Town Administrator in North Reading for 10 years.

Wednesday's interviews were conducted by board members James Nye and Judith Jacobi and Chairwoman Jackie Belf-Becker. Harry Christiensen Jr. and Bret Murray recused themselves to avoid a potential conflict of interest.