NEWBURYPORT — Mayor John Moak has been offered the position as the next town administrator of Pepperell.
Moak was notified by that town's Board of Selectmen Monday night. He will enter into contract negotiations with the board tomorrow.
Moak finishes his term as mayor at the end of December. Mayor-elect Donna Holaday takes office Jan. 4.
The mayor said yesterday he will finish out his term in Newburyport before leaving for his new job.
"I'll be here," he said, noting that he and Holaday have scheduled several meetings in the coming weeks to help with Holaday's transition.
Moak called Pepperell "the size of the community I was hoping for." The town has a population of about 12,000.
The mayor called the structure of government — a three-member Board of Selectmen — "advantageous," saying he was looking forward to working with the group.
"I think my job will be more defined," he said. "Being defined, I expect to be able to accomplish what they are looking for me to do."
Moak added that he believes his financial experience and experience in government garnered the board's support, as the three are newer selectmen. The town is working on plans to refurbish its downtown and generate a renewed interest in the area, Moak said.
"It would be nice to be part of that type of planning," the mayor said.
According to a report in the Lowell Sun, selectmen praised Moak's qualifications Monday before their unanimous vote.
Selectman Joseph Hallisey called Moak "a better fit for Pepperell."
"(Moak's) experience in Newburyport fits Pepperell issues — a school was closed and revitalizing Town Hall," he said, according to the Sun.
Pepperell is about an hour's drive from Newburyport, to the southwest.
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