NORTHAMPTON — Central Services Director Patrick McCarthy has officially announced his plans to retire on July 11 after a decade of service for Northampton.
With a total career length of almost 50 years, including the last 10 working for the city of Northampton, McCarthy said it was finally time to move into retirement.
“I like the city of Northampton, and I liked working here,” McCarthy said, who added that in retirement he looks forward to having time to more thoroughly enjoy his hobby of woodworking as well as spending more time with his grandchildren and family.
McCarthy began his career in Northampton in 2015 as a facilities project coordinator managing key projects across city and school buildings.
In 2022, Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra appointed him Central Services director, recognizing his extensive experience and commitment to public service. Before join the city, McCarthy built a 36-year career in construction, affordable housing development and project management with organizations including Home City Housing Corporation, Valley Community Development Corporation and Nueva Esperanza.
In his role as director, McCarthy oversaw the maintenance and operation of city and school buildings, parking facilities and until the creation of the Climate Action and Project Administration Department, he oversaw energy contracts. During his leadership the department implemented numerous improvements to city infrastructure including integrating environmental management practices for lead, asbestos and pest control, modernizing energy management systems and supervising critical improvement projects.
“The city of Northampton owes an incredible debt of gratitude to Pat McCarthy for his leadership and unwavering dedication to our community,” said Sciarra. “Pat’s vast expertise and meticulous management have been pivotal in maintaining and improving our critical infrastructure. His thoughtful stewardship of city facilities and energy initiatives and his kind approach to all who he encountered have set a standard of excellence that will benefit Northampton for years to come. It has been a great privilege to work with Pat.”
During his time working for the city, McCarthy credits the professionalism and work ethic of his fellow city colleagues.
“It has been an honor working for the city of Northampton. I am most proud and grateful for being able to work alongside such dedicated professionals in the Central Services Department. My coworkers in Central Services consistently go above and beyond their duties to serve the city,” said McCarthy. “People in this department will stay late, they’ll come in on weekends, early in the morning, or all hours of the night, and they never complain. They just do their job, and they do it to the best of their ability, so I’ve been really proud and grateful to have worked alongside that.”
The city has posted the Central Services director position on its website.
It aims to hire McCarthy’s successor by April to allow overlap with him, ensuring a smooth transition for the Central Services Department.
