Published in the February 21, 2018 edition

By MARK SARDELLA

WAKEFIELD — They generally keep a low profile, but they are among the most important committees in municipal government. Finance Committee members scrutinize virtually every dollar spent by the town.

Last week, the FinCom paid tribute to one of its most influential and respected former members. At their meeting last Thursday, they dedicated a portrait of Philip F. McCarty, where it will hang in Town Hall alongside the portrait of another distinguished Finance Committee member, Roscoe Irving. 

PHIL McCARTY

Before retiring from the FinCom, McCarty served for more than three decades, including several stints as chairman. Professionally, McCarty worked as an instrumentation specialist who provided instrument sensors to manufacturers. Holding a degree in physics, McCarty also worked on re-entry vehicles for NASA’s Mercury project. 

With McCarty and his family in attendance, Fincom Chairman Dan Sherman started off last week’s dedication ceremony by thanking McCarty for his 31 years of service on the Finance Committee. Sherman then told the story of how McCarty and and another FinCom member, Roy Evans, recruited him.

“I was a regular attendee at Town Meeting and spoke on a couple of articles,” Sherman recalled. “Phil and Roy Evans noticed me. After the meeting I went to the bathroom before heading home. Phil and Roy came in as well. While still in the bathroom, they told me that they wanted me on the Finance Committee. I was being Shanghaied. I felt like they would not let me out of the bathroom unless I said ‘yes.’ At the time they talked about what it’s about, the role they play, and I probably said that I would consider it.

“Shortly thereafter I did say yes and the rest is history,” Sherman added. “I learned a lot from Phil and Roy and Marc Luca and Al Palmerino and the others that came before me. One of my goals is to follow Phil’s example: to educate the next group of Finance Committee members. We need to pass on the knowledge to the next generation.”

Former FinCom chairman Gerard Leeman also spoke of McCarty’s contibutions.

“The portrait is an appropriate tribute because it serves as a reminder to future members of how he served in the best tradition of public service,” Leeman said. “He brought his many perspectives and interests together with fiscal wisdom and practical sensibilities in his deliberations over many productive years. The current members wanted to show our appreciation for how much we had learned from him and enjoyed working with him over the years.”

Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio also lauded McCarty.

“Phil was and is a giant on town financial matters,” Maio said. “He has helped weather Wakefield through some choppy seas and helped place us on a strong path. I will continue to seek his counsel.”

At last week’s Town Hall ceremony in the Finance Committee meeting room where his portrait now hangs, McCarty thanked his former colleagues for the recognition.

“People who give to public service are giving back to the town for what the town gives them,” McCarty said. “I’m very honored to be put up next to Roscoe Irving, who was my mentor.”