Schiavi Takes Harwich's Administrative Reign

 HARWICH – Local resident and former town manager and town administrator Anthony “Tony” Schiavi began serving as the town’s interim town administrator on Monday. He will continue in that capacity until the town hires a new administrator to replace former town administrator Joseph Powers. 

 Powers’ term expired on June 30. His contract was not renewed by “mutual agreement” between the select board and Powers. The select board hired the executive search consulting firm of Groux-White to assist in finding a new town administrator.

 In the interim, Schiavi signed a contract on Friday with the select board for a term of 90 days with an option for an additional 90 days. Those terms are set by the town’s home rule charter.   

Schiavi, a retired Air Force brigadier general, served as town administrator in Bourne from 2019 to 2021 before retiring. He also served as town manager in Ashland from 2013 to 2016. He was the executive director of the Massachusetts Military Reservation in 2012 and 2013 and was a fighter pilot and wing commander in the 102d Fighter Wing at the Otis Air National Guard Base.

“Team work, accountability, leadership is ingrained in me,” he told the select board during an interview last month. “Coming out of the military, I don’t shy away from tough tasks.” 

In his resume’s executive summary, Schiavi emphasizes his experience as a military, government and private sector executive having held senior level leadership positions in federal/local government and the private sector. He cited over 35 years of career growth in leading and managing medium to large organizations with a diverse set of responsibilities. 

Schiavi said Monday that he would not pursue the full-time town administrator position.

“I’m retired at this point, but want to help the town out,” he said. 

His contract calls for him to work 40 hours per week, primarily at town hall. He is expected to attend select board meetings and town meetings. As chief administrative officer, he will perform the functions and duties specified in the town charter and state general laws as well as other legally permissible and proper duties and functions as the select board assigns.

Schiavi will receive $4,615 a week, based on a $115.38 per hour salary. The agreement waives participation in such town benefits as health, dental, disability and life insurance. 

At Monday night’s select board meeting, Rich White of Groux-White Consultants sought direction from the select board on a basic outline of what they are looking for in the next town administrator. 

White said the town charter pretty much defines the duties of the town administrator, and he was looking for direction beyond that, such as salary range and what the board is looking for in a town administrator. White said he would provide the board with a 2025 salaries survey of managers on Cape Cod and in the greater Boston area. 

Select board member Mark Kelleher said he is looking for someone with good communication skills, someone who returns emails and phone calls, someone who can do long range financial planning and has experience with infrastructure issues.  

Select Board member Jeffrey Handler said the town needs someone with consistent behavior and who will invest in and work toward retaining employees. 

“I’m not in favor of a top-down management style,” Handler said.

“Communication is a major issue,” agreed Chair Donald Howell. “We really haven’t had a town administrator who gets the best out of all our team.”