The Select Board voted to offer the position of town accountant/director of finance to David Castellarin after interviewing two finalists at its meeting on Monday.
Castellarin and the other finalist, Alison Nieto, were interviewed in front of the Select Board after being chosen by the Town Accountant Search Committee among 13 applicants.
Select Board Chair Dick Dalton, who served on the search committee, said the committee interviewed four applicants and did not rank the two final candidates.
Nieto is a Saugus resident with 10 years of experience in the field. She worked as the Marblehead town accountant/director of finance from April 2015 to January 2021 and has been the Nahant town accountant/director of finance since January 2021.
Castellarin is a Lynnfield resident with more than 34 years of experience in the field. He worked as Stoneham town accountant from January 2018 to June 2021 and has been the Bedford finance director since June 2021. Castellarin is also currently a member of the town’s Finance Committee.
The Select Board members asked both of the candidates a series of interview questions to determine their qualifications. The questions involved their prior job experience, collaborative skills with other town departments, and knowledge of the field.
Board members then discussed and voted on their nomination based on a combination of the candidates’ interview and prior job experience.
Select Board Vice Chair Phil Crawford argued in favor of Castellarin due to his experience, saying he would “hit the ground running.”
Crawford also noted Castellarin’s experience using Munis, software used across the Commonwealth to help municipalities manage their finances, payroll, human resources, and purchasing.
In contrast to Castellarin, Nieto said she recently became familiar with Munis in Nahant.
Select Board member Alexis Leahy argued in favor of Nieto and said her ability to learn, adapt, and convert Nahant’s system to Munis in such a short time “speaks volumes” about her suitability for the role.
Dalton acknowledged both arguments and the three Board members agreed that both candidates were qualified for the position.
Ultimately, Dalton cited Castellarin’s familiarity with the town’s Finance Committee as an important part of his qualification for the role.
The Select Board voted 2-1, with Leahy voting against, to offer Castellarin the position as the town accountant/director of finance.
