They could have flipped a coin and still ended up with the perfect candidate for the new full-time harbormaster position, the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen commented on July 23 during a meeting interviewing the two finalists for the position – current Marion Deputy Harbormaster/ Shellfish Officer Adam Murphy and Assistant Deputy Director of the Wareham Department of Natural Resources Jamie McIntosh. But in the end, after sitting on the fence for a while, the selectmen voted unanimously to offer the position to McIntosh.
McIntosh and Murphy were five of 13 applicants to make the preliminary cut last week during initial interviews by a panel of seven, which led to the final round of interviews that evening.
“They’re both equally qualified,” said Selectman Jordan Collyer. “Fundamentally, if you look at it ‘big picture’, I don’t see a difference, quite frankly, at all. You could flip a coin. I’m not gonna lie, that’s where I am.”
“It’s very, very close,” said Selectman Paul Silva.
“At the end of the day, either candidate fills the job really well,” said Selectman Tyler Macallister, who stated that he was at that moment “leaning towards Adam,” commenting on Murphy’s slight lead over McIntosh in experience with budget assistance. “Other than that, they’re equal.”
However, looking long-term, the selectmen agreed that it was McIntosh who had a bit of an advantage over Murphy when it comes to aquaculture and shellfish propagation experience that came in fourth on a list of five priorities. The two candidates both equally met the first three priorities, the board agreed.
“And [McIntosh] was genuinely enthusiastic about it last week,” said Collyer.
“Boy, this is not an easy one,” said Silva. “I hope we have as tough a position as we interview for [town administrator].”
“[McIntosh] is the right choice by one-and-a-half percent,” said Collyer. “I mean, it’s that close.”
Collyer admitted that he was “torn” at that moment because the two were so “equal” in their qualifications.
Ultimately, Silva motioned to appoint McIntosh, pending contract negotiations, with Murphy as the runner-up.
“That was a very tough one – a very tough one,” admitted Macallister, and added that the board is eager to move forward in the areas of aquaculture and shellfish propagation.
McIntosh brings with him his eight years with the WDNR, nearly three years as an on-call Wareham firefighter, four years as a maritime captain with Hy-Line Cruises, and carpentry experience that will assist in providing in-house labor on various maintenance and improvement projects. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bridgewater State University and a long list of federal and state trainings and awards.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for August 13 at 6:30 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Hall.
Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen
By Jean Perry