Nunes tapped as interim Middleboro town manager, Select Board reopens applications for permanent position

MIDDLEBORO – The Middleboro Select Board appointed Robert Nunes to be the next interim town manager following some heated discussion at its Monday, Aug 31 meeting.

Nunes, who served as Middleboro’s town manager from 2014 to 2022, will succeed the current interim town manager, Joe Perkins, once his term expires on Sept. 30. Select Board Chair Teresa Farley said that Nunes could serve for four to six months, but that there was no clear timeline.

The board voted 3-1 to approve Nunes, with Brian Giovanoni casting the only opposing vote.

Select Board Vice Chair Thomas White nominated Nunes, who was one of 12 applicants considered for the role. “Overall, I think he’s a very strong candidate, he knows the players. I think he can walk in and hit the ground running,” White said.

The board members wanted to choose someone with a strong financial background for the position, given the town’s recent financial struggles.

Select Board Member Tracie Craig-McGee, who had previously worked with Nunes, said she was “amazed at his financial acumen.”

“I really feel that he would be the strongest candidate, as well as, I think the residents would have a level of confidence in him,” she said.

Craig-McGee, along with several current and former residents, praised Nunes for leaving Middleboro in a strong financial position when he retired in 2022. The town had $6 million in free cash when he left.

Giovanoni felt that Nunes was not as financially savvy as others said he was. He said Nunes did not put enough free cash into the town’s rainy day fund, which hurt the town’s bond rating. He also criticized Nunes for the 12% deficit he left while serving as Lakeville’s town administrator and for giving “unsustainable” raises during union negotiations without consulting the Select Board.

Giovanoni questioned Nunes' priorities. "As far as, does he care about Middleboro? I don't think he does. I think he cares more about other things," he said.

“I understand that now we have someone to hit the ground running, but running where?” Giovanoni said.

Finance Committee Member Matt Phillips supported Nunes, noting how he left the town with $6 million extra while McGrail left a $3.5 million deficit after his term. “To use someone else’s term, according to my Sesame Street math, that is $9.5 million,” he said.

Giovanoni and Phillips sparred over where the $6 million in free cash went. Giovanoni called it “disgusting” that Phillips couldn’t say where it went, while Phillips said it was never discussed with the Finance Committee.

Adam Bond, a former Middleboro Select Board member, said that he valued Nunes’ local- and state-level experience. Nunes managed the Division of Local Services in the Department of Revenue between 2007 and 2014.

“The man knows his numbers,” Bond said.

Bond also gave credit to Perkins, calling him “a rock” while serving as interim town manager.

After approving Nunes, the Select Board reopened applications for the permanent town manager position. The new application will be posted on Sept. 1 and will close on Sept. 30.

Search Committee Chair Joseph Mandile said that the committee has reviewed the resumes of the 31 applicants from the first cycle. He said he wanted to speak further with around five of those candidates.

The Select Board members felt that it was a “catch 22” to reopen applications. The Search Committee could risk losing current applicants, but it could also find new appealing candidates. 

Multiple members emphasized that they don’t want the process to take much longer than it needs to. “I don’t want to be sitting here picking a third interim town manager,” White said.