Littleton Select Board Unanimously Picks James Duggan as Next Town Administrator

LITTLETON — November 13, 2023 — Littleton Select Board selects veteran administrator James Duggan after three-candidate public forum. The board voted 5-0 Monday night to make a conditional offer of employment to Duggan, a roughly 30-year municipal veteran whose career has spanned Gloucester, Dracut, and Lowell, following public interviews of three finalists for the town administrator position. The search, which began in the spring, drew 17 applications before a cross-board committee — including Finance Committee and Personnel Advisory Board representatives, the School Committee chair, and a public at-large member — narrowed the field to three. The other finalists were Clancy Maine, currently assistant town manager in Billerica, and Sean Hendrix, a former town manager in Uxbridge, Killingly, and Milbury. Board member Matthew Donahue said he personally favored Maine — "I think he is very obviously incredibly passionate about the operational management of the town, he's clearly just geeking out on it" — but ultimately voted with the majority after agreeing the board should leave with a unanimous decision. Chair Gary Culver characterized the deliberation as a choice between "the younger, energetic leader that's up and coming" and "an individual that's been doing it a long time, been there done that." The offer is contingent on a successful background check, drug and alcohol test, and fitness-for-duty evaluation; Duggan indicated he is available to start immediately.