Marblehead Man Chosen as Salem Harbormaster

Marblehead resident Bill McHugh has been hired as Salem's first civilian harbormaster in 11 years. He will replace Police Sgt. Peter Gifford, who is returning to the Police Department.

McHugh, a graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy and 25-year veteran of the shipping industry, will assume the harbormaster duties on July 15.

“He's everything we were looking for,” said Salem Police Chief Paul Tucker. “He is an excellent guy.”

McHugh fit the criteria the chief set for a new harbormaster. In addition to graduating from a maritime college, he has project management experience, has operated all sizes of boats, has a high security clearance and is knowledgeable about hazardous materials, the chief said.

“I am disappointed that it was not a Salem resident,” said Salem Councilor at Large Steven Pinto, who led the fight on the council to keep Gifford as harbormaster.

“I hope it works out, but I have my doubts,” said Pinto who lives on the water. “I am in no position to tell the chief what he needs. But people want a police presence on the water.”

Tucker said the harbormaster's office will provide “a strong police presence” in the harbor. Of the 15 assistant harbormasters, several have police training and a handful are police officers from other cities.

On the council Pinto was joined Ward 5 Councilor John Ronan and Ward 6 Councilor Paul Prevey in opposing the hiring of a civilian harbormaster. Ronan and Prevey argued that it was adding a new position to the city staff at a time when the budget is tight. They tried to cut $54,627 out of the police department's personnel budget to force Mayor Kimberley Driscoll and Tucker to let Gifford stay as harbormaster. Their motion failed on a three to two vote in the Committee on Administration and Finance.

The harbormaster will be paid a salary of $64,000 next year.

Tucker told the council that he needed Gifford, an experienced sergeant, back in the police department where there are two vacancies at sergeant.

The Salem Police Superior Officers Union has filed a grievance that seeks to keep the harbormaster as a full-time police officer. The grievance has been denied by the Mayor and Chief. The union could press the grievance, taking the town to court.

Tucker said the union is deciding now whether to continue with the grievance. He said he expects to hear from the union on the issue next week.

What everyone agreed on was that Gifford had been an excellent harbormaster.

“He has exceeded even my expectations,” Driscoll told the council.

Pinto agreed. “Peter is phenomenal,” he said.