Published September 3, 2021
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Select Board unanimously voted last week to extend Town Administrator Rob Dolan’s contract.
Select Board Chairman Chris Barrett said Dolan’s contract will be extended for two years as allowed by the Town Charter. He said the contract will also give the TA a 1.5 percent pay raise for the coming year, which will increase his salary to $177,000.
“That is the same increase received by non-union personnel,” said Barrett. “All of the other aspects of the employment agreement remain unchanged.”
Barrett praised Dolan’s job performance over the course of his three-year tenure as town administrator.
“Rob has shown tremendous leadership each and every day,” said Barrett. “He is one of my proudest votes on the Board of Selectmen. He has set us on a strong path of financial stability, especially in the tough last year that we have had. The fiscal discipline he has shown over the last several years has allowed the community to invest in the schools and parks. The partnership Rob built with us has allowed the town to remain on firm footing, especially as we enter a very challenging financial period for the next couple of years because of the pandemic and its economic impact. He is a wonderful person to work with each and every day.”
Select Board member Dick Dalton expressed his support for extending Dolan’s contract.
“It’s an absolute joy to work with this gentleman,” said Dalton. “Rob is into this 24/7. I talk with him several times a week and on weekends. He is totally committed to this town. His management style works so well with the three of us, and I can’t say enough about that. He gives us an update every week about what went on and what we should expect in the coming week. That is very valuable to me because it helps me stay informed. We are always fully informed and are participating in the decision-making process.”
Dalton also noted that Dolan has developed a great working relationship with Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin.
“Rob and Bob have worked very well together,” said Dolan. “I can’t say enough about this gentleman and what he has brought to the table. It has been a privilege working with him and it is a real benefit to the town to have him on board.”
Select Board member Phil Crawford concurred with Barrett and Dalton’s point of view.
“Rob has done an excellent job,” said Crawford. “He is the third town administrator I have worked with and I can’t say enough about how happy we are with the information flow. If we ask him to do something, he does it immediately. I appreciate everything he does. It is a benefit to the town to keep moving him forward with his contract. The 1.5 percent is what everyone else is getting, so he is not taking more in lean times. The Emergency Management Team, which Rob is a part of, has done a tremendous job. If anyone deserves something more from the town, it is that team. It is amazing how dedicated he is to this town.”
Dolan thanked the Select Board for their kind words and supporting the contract extension.
“I am incredibly humbled,” said Dolan. “I really love working for the people of Lynnfield and the Select Board. If the country worked as well as Lynnfield in terms of people coming to the table, we would be a lot better off. Let’s keep our town moving forward. It’s an honor to work for the town.”
Dolan also thanked Curtin for the support he has provided him.
“Bob deserves every one of the accolades I have received and more,” said Dolan. “We have a great team and I hope to be part of this community for years to come.”
Barrett said Dolan and Curtin are an “all-star team.”
“The community should have great confidence in the leadership of Rob and Bob,” said Barrett.
After the discussion, the Select Board unanimously voted to extend Dolan’s contract.
