Halifax Town Administrator Departs After Guiding Community Through Challenging Period
Cody Haddad concludes two-and-a-half-year tenure as board members praise his leadership and contributions to municipal progress
HALIFAX - July 8 - Halifax Town Administrator Cody Haddad concluded his final day in office Tuesday after serving two and a half years in the position, with Board of Selectmen members praising his leadership during what they described as turbulent times for the community.
Board Chair Jonathan Selig opened the July 8 meeting by acknowledging Haddad's departure for a new position in Dartmouth, telling the administrator he "truly was a special leader here" who "guided us through some very turbulent waters" and "put us on a great course."
"He is a shining star," Selig said. "And I knew as soon as folks had meetings with Cody and dealings with Cody, their reaction was always the same, good luck holding on to that guy, he is going places."
Selectman Thomas Pratt echoed the sentiment, saying he had expected to serve as "a voice of opposition" but found Haddad supportive and thorough in his responses to questions.
"I always felt prepared, overly prepared," Pratt said. "Any question I had was answered quickly, thoroughly, and I just can't thank him enough."
During the meeting, Energy Manager Kathy Stanley presented updates on her work since joining the town in January, highlighting significant potential savings through energy efficiency initiatives and contract negotiations.
Stanley reported that Halifax spent $1.117 million for electricity in fiscal year 2025, using 4.8 million kilowatt hours. Through net metering credit agreements with other municipalities, the town could have saved $223,000, she said.
"This is very definitely worth our time," Stanley told the board.
The energy manager explained that Halifax is negotiating a net metering agreement with Abington to take excess solar credits at a 20% discount, similar to a previous arrangement with Brockton that was recently discontinued.
"We will be able to negotiate this 20% discount with the town of Abington, and we will be able to take their excess credits," Stanley said. "The nice thing about this type of net metering agreement is we're not going into a contract with a solar developer."
Stanley also outlined opportunities for energy efficiency project financing through National Grid's On-Bill Repayment program, which offers zero percent financing for qualifying projects. She cited the library's failing rooftop units as an example of work that could benefit from this financing method.
The town has applied for $243,000 in Green Communities grants for projects including controls at the library and town hall, heat pump rooftop units at the library, and weatherization for the elementary school.
Additionally, Halifax received a $50,000 federal Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant to conduct a comprehensive engineering study of the elementary school for potential energy efficiency and decarbonization projects.
Stanley reported success in securing lower electricity rates for residents through the town's aggregation program. The residential rate will decrease from 15.178 cents to 14.314 cents per kilowatt hour starting in December 2025, with the new rate locked in for 36 months.
"Two years ago, our winter price for Eversource electricity was 34 cents for a few months," Stanley said. "And that's the kind of thing we want to protect our residents from ever seeing."
The board also appointed a seven-member search committee for the new town administrator position, including residents Sandra Nolan, Christine Healy, Dennis Carman, Mark Dillon, Frank Johnston, Jim Walters, and Sue Lawless.
Haddad indicated the search process will move quickly, with interviews potentially beginning as early as next week and a candidate selected by the third week of August. The town has hired consultant Bernie Lynch to assist with the search.
Robert Fennessey Jr. will serve as interim town administrator starting July 9 through Oct. 31, working up to 35 hours per week.
In his final remarks, Haddad reflected on his time in Halifax, noting the community support he received throughout his tenure.
"I think one of the things that makes Halifax so special is the support I've gotten in the past couple months," he said. "Residents I've never met before stop in my office, say hello, say thank you."
He emphasized that despite vocal criticism, the majority of the community remains supportive.
"There's a vocal minority out there, and I remind the staff that it is just that vocal minority because majority of the community really is a great community," Haddad said.
Other business conducted during the meeting included:
• Approval of multiple line item transfers totaling more than $200,000 to cover budget shortfalls in various departments, with the largest transfer of $89,576 moving funds from police wages to group health insurance due to additional employees taking coverage
• Extension of interim Building Commissioner Joseph Braga's contract through Dec. 31
• Approval of a $31,000 animal control services contract with Precision Wildlife
• Approval of live entertainment permits for The Farm at Raven Brook
Haddad warned the board that future budget years may present greater challenges, noting that this year's healthy free cash balance may not be repeated and that the town is already starting the new fiscal year $700,000 in the negative due to free cash usage.