Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick Announces Retirement
October 23, 2024
After nearly 35 years working in town — and 23 years as town manager — it’s time for Fitzpatrick “to seek out some new adventure,” she told the Select Board at its Tuesday night meeting.
The longtime town manager briefly commented on her service to the community, stating that “working for the Town of Needham has been such an honor for me.”
“Needham is an amazing place to live and to work, and of course, as we like to say, incredibly well-managed,” Fitzpatrick said. “I just say with gratitude to the board for letting me serve this time.”
Over the next several months, Fitzpatrick said “there’ll be a lot of opportunity to reflect on our many accomplishments together,” and she hopes to ensure a seamless transition. The board will discuss future steps at its next meeting, she said.
The announcement follows the departure of other longtime municipal employees: former Park and Recreation Director Patty Carey retired in early 2020, 65-year Library Director Ann MacFate left in 2021, and Town Clerk Tedi Eaton retired earlier this year after more than 40 years on the job.
Many of those with whom Fitzpatrick collaborated invested themselves into their job or volunteering, she said, and considered their role more of a calling than work.
Select Board Chair Kevin Keane congratulated Fitzpatrick and thanked her for her service.
“You’ve been great. Your career here has been amazing,” Keane said. “You’ve done an amazing job.”
In the meantime, Fitzpatrick is “not going anywhere right now,” and there’s more work to be done, she said. The board entered executive session shortly after.
Fitzpatrick expressed confidence in the town’s ability to plan for her succession in the coming months, though she noted she’s already confronted her impending retirement in her personal life — when recently filling out paperwork, Fitzpatrick was stuck on what to write under “occupation.”
“Who are you if you’re not the town manager?” she joked.
