Marblehead Town Admin McGinn to Retire Next Year

MARBLEHEAD, MA - After more than 40 years serving the public sector, Marblehead Town Administrator John McGinn announced this week he would be retiring next year.

McGinn told the Marblehead Board of Selectmen on Wednesday that he would be retiring at the end of his current contract, which is June 30, 2018. McGinn has served in Marblehead since 2000, first as the town's accountant then as Town Administrator starting in 2014.

This week, McGinn spoke with Patch about his service in Marblehead, what he has planned for retirement and what he'd like to accomplish before he leaves next year.

When you look back on your service to Marblehead, what are you most proud of?

I’m certainly proud of the job Town employees do in delivering services and the way various departments work together to provide municipal services.

Why is it time to retire? What are your plans post retirement? When would your actual retirement start?

I plan to retire at the conclusion of my current employment contract on June 30, 2018. By next June I’ll have worked 41 years in various state and local positions, it’s time for me to take this step to the next phase of my life. I have a lot of things that I hope to do in the years ahead. Come next July I’ll have time to actually do them.

What major projects are you looking to finish before you leave?

We have a lot of work that needs to be accomplished over the next 6 months. All of the Town’s collective bargaining contracts need to be renegotiated, the FY19 budget needs to be prepared and we need to prepare for Annual Town meeting that occurs in May. There are also other matters I plan to finish before the end of June. The Town certainly has my commitment that this will be my focus over the next six months.

How did you first get into local government (Somerville, Peabody). Why did you want to serve?

I’ve always had a strong interest in government. I started working in state government right after graduating from college. At an early age I also got involved in my home town of Peabody both as a school committee member for four years and later as a City Councilor for twelve years. In 2002, after working 25 years in various finance and budget roles in state government, I left state government and accepted the position of Finance Director in the City of Somerville. Two years later I came to Marblehead as Finance Director and have been here ever since. I’m been fortunate to be able to combine my interest in government with my finance and budget skills and have held a number of extremely interesting jobs over my career.

What do you love about Marblehead?

Marblehead is really a wonderful Town. I love the history of this Town and all the unique places and treasures the Town is fortunate to have.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I’ve been afforded to be Marblehead’s Town Administrator. I really enjoy working for the Town and have been honored to work with so many talented and dedicated fellow employees and department heads.

Courtesy Photo / John McGinn