Ex-Duxbury manager chosen for Marshfield administrator job

Patriot Ledger, The (Quincy, MA) - Tuesday, January 29, 2008

By Adam Riglian, The Patriot Ledger

Marshfield selectmen have unanimously offered the town administrator position to Rocco Longo, a former Duxbury town manager.

Selectmen and Longo were to meet today in closed session to negotiate a contract. Longo, the Duxbury town manager from 1994 to 2005 and current Billerica town manager, has 31 years of management experience.

'Mr. Rocco Longo and his experience clearly surpasses all the other candidates,' Selectman Michael Maresco said Monday.

Without discussion, the board decided Monday night to offer the job to Longo, citing his ability to work with schools, his hands-on approach and his openness.

He was among the finalists chosen by the town administrator search committee, and selectmen interviewed him in public on Sunday.

'I just felt that Mr. Longo's leadership style would be a better fit for the town,' Selectman Katie O'Donnell said.

'He intends to be available 24/7, which is great, but what impressed me more was that he was very committed,' Maresco said.

Longo earns $130,000 as town manager for Billerica. Marshfield's advertised maximum for the town administrator position is $135,000, Maresco said.

Selectmen said they hope Longo can start March 1. He will succeed John Clifford, who resigned late last year, citing the need to devote more time to his law practice. He has since been chosen to become Rockland's interim town administrator.

In other business, selectmen diverted some of the $158,000 the town pays the MBTA to another regional transportation authority.

Under the deal, the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transportation Authority will extend its bus and van services to Marshfield. The new service will not require any extra money, although the exact amount Marshfield will pay remains to be determined.

Also, Police Chief William Sullivan reported that a police captain position will be filled by Lt. Phillip Tavares.

Tavares, 38, has worked his way up the Marshfield ranks for the past 14 years. He started as an assistant animal control officer.

'I have no reservations, and I can't imagine anyone else coming into that position with his skill level,' Sullivan said.

Adam Riglian may be reached at ariglian@ledger.com.