Chelgren Takes the Reins in Marblehead

Former Wenham Town Administrator Jeffrey Chelgren was all smiles at  in Marblehead last Wednesday as he attended his first Board of Selectmen's meeting as Marblehead Town Administrator.

On May 1, Chelgren took over for longtime Marblehead Town Administrator Tony Sasso, who retired after more than 18 years on the job.

Chelgren, who before taking over in Marblehead spent the last 10 years working in Wenham, recently signed a three-year contract with Marblehead worth $125,000 annually.

Chelgren made $93,899 last year in Wenham. At earlier this month, that increase the annual pay for the position to $100,000.

"It is a dream come true to be the Town Administrator for the town of Marblehead," Chelgren said Wednesday night. "I've found everyone to be gracious and very welcoming."

Chelgren, of Lynn, told board members in January that he would spend his first 90 days in office trying to get a feel for Marblehead, a town he described as being a "precious jewel" on the North Shore.

"I am a patron of s parish in Marblehead and have always kept my eye on the town and the way it has been managed," Chelgren said during his interview. "Marblehead is such an admirable community and this has been an opportunity that I've been long waiting for."