Maurice Cunningham

Maurice F. Cunningham was an American attorney, educator, and political figure who served as Town Manager of Saugus, Massachusetts from 1974 to 1976.

Early life The son of Judge C. Carol Cunningham and Theresa I. (Conner) Cunningham, Cunningham grew up in Saugus. He graduated from Boston College's School of Education in 1961 with a B.S. in history. He was also vice president of his class, co-chairman of the Jazz Committee, a member of the Student Senate, and a member of the Class Council.

Board of Selectmen From 1963 to 1967, Cunningham was a Saugus town meeting member. He also served as acting town moderator.

In 1967, Cunningham was elected to the Saugus Board of Selectmen. He topped the ticket with 4,388 votes and was named chairman of the board.

During his tenure on the board, the selectmen unanimously voted not to renew Town Manager Paul H. Boucher's contract. To replace him, the board selected Clarence Wilkinson over former Keene, New Hampshire City Manager Frank A. Saia by 3 to 2 vote, with Cunningham voting for Saia.

Town Manager In 1974, Cunningham was chosen by the Board of Selectmen to replace Robert Hagopian as town manager. He was later given a five-year contract by the board and the School Committee granted him a two-year leave of absence from his position as assistant principal of the Saugus Junior High School. During his tenure, Cunningham was heavily involved in getting community development grants and funds for new sewers and water extension programs. In 1975, $30,000 in municipal funds (about $19,000 in cash and $11,000 in checks) were stolen from a vault the Collector–Treasurer's office. Cunningham stated that he could not explain why the money had not been deposited in a local bank as it usually was.

In 1976, the School Committee unanimously voted not to extend Cunningham's leave and he stepped down as Town Manager. He then worked as an attorney specializing in personal injury and worker's compensation. In 1991 he negotiated the largest settlement for an industrial accident case in Massachusetts history. He later retired to Bonita Springs, Florida.