Mulcahy Named Assistant Town Administrator

HARWICH – The select board affirmed the appointment of James M. Mulcahy, Jr., as the town’s new assistant town administrator Monday. Mulcahy is presently serving as assistant town manager in Middleborough, where he worked with current Harwich Town Administrator Jay McGrail.
“I have worked with Jim in different capacities over the past eight or nine years and hold him in very high regard,” McGrail told the select board April 27. “His combination of municipal executive experience, operational discipline, and proven leadership makes him the right person to help lead Harwich through its next chapter.”
Mulcahy was one of 29 candidates for the position. McGrail said Mulcahy was the unanimous choice of the five-member search committee, which included Select Board Chair Donald Howell, Fire Chief David LeBlanc, Human Resources Director Angelique McGibbon, Finance Director Jen Mince and McGrail. 
Mulcahy currently serves as the assistant town manager in Middleborough, where he helps oversee a $131 million operating budget. His responsibilities include advising the select board on governance and statutory compliance, supporting budget development and long-range financial planning, overseeing procurement and managing major capital and infrastructure projects.
“Notably, he worked closely on the $33 million PFAS water treatment facility, demonstrating his ability to manage complex, multi-year initiatives,” McGrail said.
Before entering municipal administration, Mulcahy spent more than two decades in public education. He served from 2013 to 2017 as principal of Silver Lake High School and from 2017 to 2024 as principal of Sandwich High School. He was a finalist for the Massachusetts Principal of the Year in 2022.
He led large organizations, managed significant budgets, oversaw capital improvements, and guided a school through COVID-19 without losing instructional days, said McGrail. McGrail worked with Mulcahy while serving as director of facilities for the Sandwich public schools in 2018-2019.
Mulcahy was a stormwater program coordinator in Middleborough for a year before becoming the assistant town manager in July 2025. His leadership style is described in his cover letter for the assistant town administrator’s position as “strategic, visible, communicative, and grounded in culture building and team development.”
Mulcahy has a master’s degree in education administration from Cambridge College.
Select board member Mark Kelleher said he liked Mulcahy’s educational background, adding that “he can help us with [the] Monomoy” Regional School District.  
The board affirmed Mulcahy’s appointment unanimously. He is scheduled to start on May 11.