Nahant selectmen appoint Allison Nietto as town administrator

The Nahant Select Board voted to appoint Allison Nietto as the town’s next town administrator and authorized town counsel to negotiate an employment contract for a term of at least three years.

The board took the action under Section 4 of the Nahant Town Administrator Act after a search committee recommended Nietto following a multi-step process. The committee’s report, dated Oct. 15, said it received 22 applications, held 10 meetings including a public hearing, screened résumés, solicited public and staff input, and narrowed the field to four candidates who completed essay responses and background checks. The committee interviewed the final candidate on Oct. 14 and forwarded Allison Nietto to the board.

Skip Ferry, chairman of the search committee, was quoted in the committee’s comments read into the record saying, “Allison hit it out of the park in our interview. She took any and all questions. She delivered appropriate and great responses.” Board members praised the committee’s work and Nietto’s experience as the town’s finance director and interim administrator.

At the vote, roll call recorded affirmative votes from Jean Kanty, Pat Riley, and Rob Tibbo, approving the appointment. The board also authorized town counsel to enter into contract negotiations for a term of at least three years.

Nietto thanked the board after the vote: “Well, thank you everybody. I appreciate your confidence in me. I look forward to doing the job,” she said, adding praise for town staff and noting she intends to continue working with the team as the town hires a replacement for the town accountant position.

Next steps: town counsel will negotiate the contract; Nietto will meet with negotiators and then assume the position once the contract is finalized.