Magee

UPDATED March 21: Alex Magee, formerly finance director for the Town of Hamilton, has become Arlington’s deputy town manager and finance director. He began work locally March 6.

In announcing the apppointment, Arlington Town Manager Sandy Pooler said in a March 16 news release: “Alex is well suited for this position. He brings a wealth of municipal financial and budgeting experience and related expertise that will greatly benefit Arlington.”

At the March 13 Select Board meeting, Pooler said, “The coordination of the finance team is very important, which can help maintain a strong bond rating, which is good for the town.” Board member John Hurd added that finance is an integral part of the town manager’s role.

Magee, whose annual salary is $138,00, fills the position left open after Michael Mason decided to remain as the public schools' chief financial officer. Mason a couple of months after that was promoted to the assistant superintendent level within Arlington Public Schools. Mason had been named Arlington's deputy town manager/finance director in August but never actually worked in that capacity, Pooler previously told YourArlington.

“Arlington has a great reputation in municipal management,” said Magee in the town news release. “I look forward to upholding that reputation in service to the Town of Arlington.” 

Pooler moved up in June 2022

Pooler was Arlington's deputy town manager/finance director from January 2016 to June 2022, when he was appointed town manager, Caryn Molloy, personnel director, wrote March 17.

Pooler, who has previously said publicly that he hopes to retire this year, is serving as town manager while his successor is being sought. Three of four candidates recently withdrew themselves from consideration for the job.

The deputy town manager/finance director performs complex and crucial administrative duties, the town release said. Tasks include preparing the operating and capital budgets and the five-year long-range plan, formulating health insurance policy, conducting collective bargaining, measuring departmental performance and producing the financial oln. 

Magee's previous service in Hamilton, Lowell

For Hamilton, a town of 7,561 people in 2020, Magee oversaw the Finance Department, which includes accounting, treasurer/collector, assessor and information technology; he also planned that town’s budget and served as a member on the collective-bargaining team.

Before serving in Hamilton, Magee worked in the City of Lowell as a data management analyst, assistant to the city manager and the deputy director of administration and finance for its Public Works Department. 

Magee holds a master of public administration with a municipal-management focus from the University of Massachusetts/Boston and a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Oregon. 

Arlington’s town manager office is responsible for the oversight of day-to-day operations of town government and implementing town policy. The town release says the office strives to manage effective delivery of services to Arlington residents and remains committed to conveying public information transparently and accurately. 

Oct. 21, 2023: Mason to become third assistant superintendent at APS

This news announcement was published Friday, March 17, 2023, based on information from the Town of Arlington and from YourArlington's own files and archives. It was updated March 21, to add information from the March 13 board meeting.