SWAMPSCOTT — The Select Board voted to appoint Town Treasurer Patrick Luddy as finance director and Beverly Assistant City Clerk Kathleen Dupont as town clerk at its meeting Wednesday night.
“We have some very important business to start out tonight: the long awaited fulfillment of two key positions in town government. The first is the appointment of our new finance director, Patrick Luddy. It might be a name some people are familiar with,” Vice Chair Doug Thompson said.
Select Board member David Grishman expressed his enthusiasm for Luddy’s appointment to the position, where he said it was exciting to work alongside him and see him learn and grow in his role as town treasurer.
Thompson seconded that sentiment. He said Luddy has delivered extremely high-quality advice to the Select Board during his time as town treasurer, and that he looks forward to working with him as finance director.
“I just want to say, Patrick (Luddy), you’re a shining star… You’re an outstanding human. I really enjoyed my interactions with you. You were always professional, always pleasant, and always wanting to help,” Select Board member Danielle Leonard said. “I remember when you started as an intern, I was still working in the schools. It’s great to see that progression.”
Luddy noted he has been working with the Town for more than seven years now.
“This is a really great opportunity, and I want to thank the Select Board, and the Town Administrator (Nick Connors) for supporting this… I’m looking forward to the additional responsibility, and it means a lot; it’s very humbling to be trusted with that. I’m looking forward to doing a lot of great things, and contributing in new and different ways,” Luddy said.
Connors said Dupont came highly recommended from both elected officials and individuals that work in Beverly City Hall.
“We’re very fortunate to have a qualified candidate like this that came to us. She was great in the interview process with us, and we’re looking forward to having her,” Connors said.
Select Board member MaryEllen Fletcher said, “I just want to say, after looking at this resume, that we are very, very fortunate tonight. Not only do we have a rockstar in Patrick (Luddy), but clearly we hit the lottery having you (Dupont) come to Swampscott. Thank you so much.”
Fletcher added that Dupont had big shoes to fill, though she feels it won’t be an issue for her.