Politics & Government

Meet Natick's New Deputy Town Administrators

Jeff Towne and Bill Chenard were introduced at the Dec. 2 Board of Selectmen meeting.

Natick's new deputy town administrators made their first public appearance during the Dec. 2 Board of Selectmen meeting.

Town Administrator Martha White announced Gloucester Chief Financial officer Jeff Towne as Natick’s deputy town administrator for finance, and Bill Chenard, the town’s current DPW director, as deputy town administrator for operations.

Towne said his familiarity of the area is what first attracted him to the position.

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"When saw this opportunity, I did some research and it looked like a beautiful community," he said. "I was born in Norwood so I'm familiar with the area and thought this was a great opportunity for my career."

Among Towne's highlights over the past five years are:

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  • Substantial free cash deficits have been reversed and the city now produces positive free cash within established standards;
  • Water and sewer collections along with tax title was backlogged by many years, and now the city is in timely cycles of collection;
  • Towne has also overseen the financing of tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure debt and has worked aggressively to take advantage of every state financing program and opportunity in order to gain the most favorable terms for the citizens of Gloucester.

"We are very excited to bring him on," Town Administrator Martha White said.

White said Towne is expected to start on Jan. 6.

Chenard took over as DPW director in 2009 after being the department's business manager for two years. Before that he worked as the commercial assessor in Newton, a position he filled after serving as Natick's director of assessing.

"He's very well quialifyed for this position," White said.

Chenard said he was excited to start his new position, which begins Dec. 16.

"I’m quite honored," he said. "It's an exciting opportunity to work with the Board here. Natick has such a solid foundation and I hope to make this a wonderful opportunity for the residents of this community."

Vice Chair Joshua Ostroff also praised the hiring.

"I'm thrilled you're in this new role," he said. "I think with your experience in Town Hall and public works … the high expectations will be rewarded."

"I can’t say enough about Mr. Chenard," Selectman Rick Jennett said. "I've spent many years in the finance committee with you. The only think I’ m afraid of is we won’t replace you properly in the DPW."

Current Deputy Town Administrator/Finance Director Michael Walters Young announced earlier this year he is moving out of state. He is expected to stay with the town until mid-January, providing support for Towne and Chenard.


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