Politics & Government

Andrews Gets Contract Extension, Will Be Interim Wenham Administrator Through June

Interim Wenham Town Administrator Mark Andrews now has a contract that runs through June 30.

Mark Andrews' contract as Wenham’s town administrator now runs until June 30.

The Wenham Board of Selectmen came to agreement with Andrews on Tuesday night for him to continue in the position for additional 10 months beyond the end of his previous contract, which runs through Aug. 31.

The board met in executive session at to consider the extension before voting to approve the new contarct in open session.

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“We’ve extended it until June 30 – the end of the fiscal year,” said Molly Martins, chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

Andrews will continue to be paid the annualized equivalent of $100,000, but Andrews will now accumulate vacation time at a rate of 3 weeks per year, down from 4 weeks per year, Martins said.

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The new contract also includes the ability for the Selectmen to give Andrews up to a 2 percent increase during the contract. While Selectmen are able to award a raise at any time, language specifically citing the possibility of the 2 percent raise is part of the new contract.

Martins said it was important to make sure Andrews knows the town wants him to stay past Aug. 31, when his current contact expires. It is the best interest of the town to make sure Andrews is focused on his job and not out looking for a new job.

“I’m proud to be able to continue to serve,” Andrews said.

, after former Town Administrator Jeff Chelgren . Before coming to Wenham, Andrews .

At the time he was selected for the Wenham position, Andrews was also a finalist for the town manager job in Saugus .

Martins said it is important the town have “continuity and stability” in leadership through the budget process.

“We needed to lock it down because what we did not want is another transition,” Martins said. “We felt it was important to have continuity with the position.”

The move also indicated the Board of Selectmen’s satisfaction with Andrews’ work.

“We’ve very pleased with Mark’s performance to date,” Martins said.

There’s no specific timeline, yet, for naming a permanent town administrator. This week, Selectmen said that the Government Study Committee is expected to be complete with its work either late this summer or this fall, when it will release its recommendations on a job description and outline of authority for the town administrator position. A search to fill the permanent position could begin after that, Martins said.

Andrews has said previously that he hopes to be hired for the permanent position in Wenham.


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