Nunes signs interim town manager contract

MIDDLEBORO – Interim town manager Robert Nunes signed his contract at the Sept. 14 Middleboro Select Board meeting, but only after heated discussion about Nunes’ powers in his role.

Nunes’ contract began on Tuesday, Sept. 15 and will run until March 31, 2027. He will be paid $105 per hour for 30 hours each week.

Select Board Chair Teresa Farley said that his main focus over the next six months would be getting the town in good financial shape heading into fiscal year 2028, which begins on July 1, 2027.

The contract stated that the Select Board “shall retain” overall authority over Nunes’ power to hire and fire town employees. Select Board Vice Chair Thomas White raised questions about how that affected his role.

Joe Perkins, who served his last meeting as interim town manager on Sept. 14, said that the town charter gives the town manager “ultimate authority” to hire and fire people. However, he said he thinks “any town manager … should consult with the Select Board” in those situations.

Select Board member Brian Giovanoni took a problem with that section of the contract, saying he felt it took authority away from Nunes. “We hired Bob Nunes. Let Bob Nunes do his job,” he said.

Farley said she had many discussions with Perkins over what authorities he had. 

Giovanoni and Farley then sparred over her use of her own powers, bringing up a town job posting Perkins made and later retracted. Perkins said he made the decision to remove the posting after Farley told him about the town’s hiring freeze, which was put in place in March.

The board finally clarified that Nunes will retain ultimate authority. “It’s just more about … keeping the spirit of consultation,” Farley said.

Giovanoni asked about the provision for a take-home car from the town. Perkins said the car allowed the town manager to “be available to the community at any time.” He also said it was important for the town manager to be able to drive a car “they can be proud of” – in this case a Chevy Tahoe – to professional events.

After Nunes signed his contract, Joseph Mandile, the head of the Search Committee for the new permanent town manager, said the town had received 21 applications, some new, some old. The committee will meet again on Sept. 23. Applications will close on Sept. 30.