During the special Chelsea’s City Council Saturday (9/30) 10AM meeting, current Reading Town Manager, Fidel Maltez, interviewed for the next City Manager. Fidel was 1 of 4 finalists that were interviewed in the 5hr long session along with James Duggan, Cheryl Watson Fisher, and Michael McGovern.
Fidel described his biggest challenge of his career was the trash pickup issues in Reading. He mentioned having to take things into his own hands and with the help of the DPW, they started collecting trash on a Monday morning after weeks worth of missed pickups. His biggest regret was not collecting things sooner.
Fidel closed with the statement “that for me, this was coming back home. Thank you councilors.”
Tonight (10/2), a couple City Councilors wanted to delay the vote until their next scheduled meeting (10/16) citing additional public input, but that amendment failed by a vote of 4-7. After a brief two minute recess, the City Councilors then voted on the main motion 10-1 in favor of Fidel Maltez becoming the next city manager of Chelsea.
In terms of terminating his employment with the Town of Reading, the Town Manager shall give 6 months written notice according to his contract. As cited by Chair McCarthy at the last Select Board meeting, the board is scheduled to have a special meeting on Thursday October 5, 2023 to address a “human resources” issue.
You can watch the Monday night City Council meeting below on the Chelsea Community Cable TV Facebook page:
*10/3/23 11AM correction, the article mentioned Friday October 5th for the Select Board meeting when it is actually Thursday October 5th*
