HALIFAX - December 16 and 17 - The Halifax Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Wednesday night to offer the town administrator position to Steven Solbo, a former Halifax resident now serving in municipal government in Falmouth and working for Sharon and Norwood, concluding a search that began after Cody Haddad’s departure earlier this year.
The Full Story
Solbo emerged as the board’s choice following a three-hour interview process that also included David Coderre, a finance executive and chairman of the Board of Finance in Putnam, Connecticut, and Justin Pare, a Town Councilor and former Selectman from North Attleboro. Board members openly acknowledged the difficulty of the decision.
“I was hoping there would be a candidate that was head and shoulders above the others,” said Chair Jonathan Selig. “I can’t thank you enough—these are great, great candidates.”
Solbo, who previously lived in Halifax and attended town meetings as a resident, emphasized his connection to the community. He recounted attending the recent Holidays in Halifax celebration with his family, where residents approached them while they ate. “You don’t have people walking up to you in general in Massachusetts that often,” he told the board. “That’s the type of people that are here.”
He said he had consulted with former Town Administrator Haddad about the position since the summer and met with him at an ICMA conference in Tampa. “I think he righted the ship in a lot of ways and he set some good things in motion, and I want to really carry those on,” Solbo said.
The three board members each weighed the candidates’ strengths before converging on Solbo. Selectman Thomas Pratt initially favored Coderre’s financial background, while Selectman Bill Smith believed Solbo “would hit the ground running with the most gusto” and might be “the hungriest of the three.”
“It was kind of like coming home for him,” Smith said of Solbo’s connection to Halifax.
Chair Selig said he leaned toward Coderre and Solbo because of their financial backgrounds and Solbo’s familiarity with Halifax. He praised Pare as “fantastic” with “a very bright future ahead.”
During his interview, Solbo emphasized his extensive town meeting experience, noting he had participated in six town meetings over the past 18 months across Middleboro, Norwood, Sharon, and Falmouth. He said he watched the entirety of Halifax's most recent town meeting and noted that water issues—a current concern in Halifax—are "another forte of mine."
With five of Halifax’s six union contracts expiring this year, Solbo said he has participated in contract negotiations in an advisory capacity throughout his career and is prepared to take the lead. “This would be just a change for me to sit in the seat, but it’s one that I’m looking forward to making,” he said.
Solbo committed to a minimum of five years in the position, citing his goal of obtaining the ICMA Credentialed Manager designation. He indicated he could start before February 1 if contract negotiations proceed quickly.
Coderre brought 40 years of finance experience, including an MBA from DePaul University and a decade running his own business. He serves as Vice President of Procurement at the Worcester Housing Authority and has chaired Putnam’s Board of Finance for seven years. He told the board that towns should be run “a little bit more like a business,” treating taxpayers as customers who deserve efficient service.
Pare detailed his experience in North Attleboro, where he served on the Board of Selectmen and later the Town Council after helping transform the town's government structure. He described implementing a free cash and stabilization policy that helped the town recover from years of budget cuts and build reserves that eventually funded a $2 million feasibility study for a new high school.
He also recounted his success helping pass an override after two previous failed attempts, and spoke about his corporate background at VMware managing multi-million dollar vendor contracts. He described his success helping pass an override in North Attleboro after two previous failed attempts.
The board used a roll-call voting process suggested by Bernie Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates, who assisted with the search. Rather than having one member nominate a candidate, the board placed all three finalists into nomination and each member stated their preference. All three selected Solbo.
The offer is contingent on successful contract negotiations and background checks. The board then entered executive session to discuss negotiation strategy.
Override Study Committee Expands
Prior to the interviews, the board appointed Mark Helisek of the Silver Lake Regional School Committee and Jessica Page of the Halifax Elementary School Committee to the Override Study Committee. The previous evening, the board had appointed Michael Bennett of the Finance Committee to the same panel. The committee is examining fiscal options as Halifax faces potential budget shortfalls.
Board Selects Michael Brogan as Building Commissioner
In other business Tuesday, the board unanimously appointed Michael Brogan of Norfolk as the town's new Building Commissioner and Zoning Enforcement Officer, choosing him over two other qualified candidates following interviews.
Brogan, a 30-year veteran of the HVAC and plumbing trades, has served as a local inspector and commissioner in multiple communities and previously worked as general manager for Municipal Code Consultants, where he dispatched inspectors to towns lacking permanent building officials. He described experience on large-scale projects including a 420-unit 40B development in Amherst, high-rise buildings along Route 128, and plan reviews for the City of Revere including casino-related projects and a new high school.
The board also interviewed Rob Piccirilli, a Halifax resident who previously served as the town's local inspector for 15 years and commissioner for six years. Piccirilli, who also worked in Harwich and Whitman where he oversaw a $100 million DPW project and a $138 million middle school.
"I think I have the experience to hit the ground running," Piccirilli said. "I'm familiar with the town. I live in the community."
The third candidate, William McGrady of Fall River, has been a building official since 2005 and served as commissioner in North Attleboro for four years.
Chair Selig acknowledged the difficulty of the decision. "This is a case of three very qualified candidates," he said. The appointment is pending background checks and salary negotiations.
Why It Matters
The selection comes at a critical time for Halifax. The town faces challenging budget conditions with five of six union contracts expiring this year, ongoing override discussions, and water quality concerns that prompted a lengthy discussion at Tuesday’s meeting.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Offer the position of Town Administrator to Steven Solbo Jr., pending contract negotiations and background checks. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 2:54:08 - December 17)
Motion: Appoint Mark Helisek and Jessica Page to the Override Study Committee. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 0:02:30 - December 17)
Motion: Enter executive session to discuss negotiation strategy for nonunion personnel. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0) by roll call. (Timestamp: 2:55:42 - December 17)
Motion: Appoint Michael Bennett to the Override Study Committee. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 12:28 - December 16)
Motion: Appoint Mark Dillon to the Government Study Committee. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 14:30 - December 16)
Motion: Approve 2026 license renewals for alcoholic beverages, auto dealers, entertainment, and common victualer licenses. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (3-0). (Timestamp: 6:00-10:00 - December 16)
Public Comment
No formal public comment period was held during the December 17 meeting, which was dedicated to town administrator interviews. The December 16 meeting included extensive public participation during the discussion with Water Commissioners and the Water Superintendent regarding ongoing water quality issues in Halifax, with residents expressing concerns about discolored water and the effectiveness of the town’s flushing program.
What’s Next
The board will enter contract negotiations with Solbo, who indicated he could begin before February 1 if talks conclude quickly. The Water Department will begin targeted flushing in areas with the most complaints. The Override Study Committee continues its work ahead of spring town meeting.
Full meetings available via Area 58 Community Access Channel. December 16 and December 17.
Corrected Solbo’s resume