Middleboro Town Manager granted early leave from position
McGrail will end his time as Middleboro town administrator March 4. Photo source: MCCAM
McGrail will end his time as Middleboro town administrator March 4. Photo source: MCCAM
MIDDLEBORO — After serving Middleboro as town manager since 2022, James McGrail’s time in the town is nearing its end and leaders must find his replacement.
His request for an early termination of his contract — which requires a four-month notification before resigning — to accept a job in Harwich was approved by the Select Board at a Tuesday, Jan. 20 meeting. The board also discussed next steps for the role.
McGrail’s last day will be March 4, but he will provide consulting to the town for an additional two months and use four weeks of vacation time he has accrued to make up for his early departure and ensure a smooth transition.
He said this time will be used for finalizing the budget and preparing warrants for Town Meeting, along with any additional tasks the Select Board identifies.
It will also be used to help the town find an interim town manager, as he will compile a shortlist for the Select Board to consider.
Because Town Meeting will be held in April, Select Board Chair Mark Germain said the town needs someone to take on day-to-day responsibilities to keep the town running until then.
After Town Meeting, Middleboro will find a permanent replacement, someone he hopes will be “another Jay McGrail.”
At the meeting, McGrail said he was honored to have worked for the town and alongside the Select Board and departmental heads and staff.
“Working in Middleboro over the last three years has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am so proud of the work we have accomplished together,” McGrail said.
He listed settling the town’s lawsuit with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority over affordable housing, construction projects, and economic developments and growth among projects he was proud to have worked on.
McGrail said his top priority upon accepting the Middleboro job was to leave the town better than he found it, and believes he has accomplished that.
Germain echoed this feeling, and said it was an “honor and privilege” to work with McGrail.
He said the town manager boosted employee morale, brought engaging activities to the community and boosted the town’s quality of life.
“I consider the work that we did here together on the board some of the best work that's ever been done in this town, and I'm very thankful for that opportunity to work with him,” Germain said.
