By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
Town Councilor Mark Gould has been chosen as the next town manager of Norton during a special meeting on July 12.
In attendance for Gould’s approximately one-hour long interview were Norton’s five Select Board members: Alec Rich, Roger Marsan, Robert Kimball, Denise Luciano and Kevin O’Neil. The two other finalists for the job were Michael Moresco, former town administrator for Marshfield, and David Kurczy, current police chief in Mendon. Lisa Green, current town administrator for Hanson, withdrew her interest in the job two days before the final interviews.
“Mark presented himself very well to the select board in the final interview,” said Rich, who serves as chair of the Select Board. “Mark has a very focused and deliberate delivery which compliments his exceptional financial and legal acumen.”
Gould was up first for questions, and in his opening statement he outlined his experience as the director of administration and finance for the Department of Public Works for the Town of Framingham, a position he has held since 2023. He manages a budget of $100 million for the Department of Public Works, something he noted was similar in size to Norton’s budget.
“I am a finance focused leader with a passion for public service,” said Gould. “My experience has been in helping cities and towns in being fiscally responsible and delivering exceptional service to residents.”
Gould also spoke of his experience working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts advising on municipal finance, and as an attorney for the City of Taunton where he “advised on nearly every facet of government.”
“Norton is unique in its history, its culture and its challenges,” said Gould. “I bring the culmination of my professional experience and I lead by listening. I manage time, people, resources and come from a family of public servants.”
When asked by Rich on how he would handle conflicts within departments, Gould reflected back on a time when he was lead negotiator for seven city unions.
“Disagreement is essential to a functioning democracy. Those need to be approached tactfully with listening and collaboration, and those are strengths I bring to the table,” said Gould.
When it comes to Gould’s future on North Attleborough’s Town Council, a decision is yet to be made. Gould was recently re-elected to a third term on the council, and told the North Star Reporter in a previous email when he was announced as a finalist that, “should things progress, I would carefully assess what’s legally permissible, logistically manageable, and above all, what’s in the best interest of the communities I serve.”
“I am confident Mark will decide on what is best for him knowing the high level of accountability that the Select Board, as well as the whole Town of Norton, is going to expect from him,” said Rich.
In his closing remarks, Gould thanked the Select Board for the opportunity, calling public service an honor to wake up and do each and every day.
After interviews wrapped, Kimball suggested that Select Board members rank their choices from one to three in order to narrow down the field.
“I’m looking for someone who is qualified, and for someone that I feel has not only the experience in municipal government, but perhaps even contacts beyond our local government would be beneficial for the town in the future,” said Kimball.
Four out of the five board members, including Kimball, ranked Gould as their number one choice, with O’Neil putting Moresco as his number one choice, and Gould as his second.
Based on those rankings, Gould was declared the top candidate, followed by Kurczy, and Luciano made a motion to appoint Gould as the new town manager for Norton, subject to contract negotiations and a background check, which was seconded by Kimball.
The result of the vote was a unanimous “yes” from all members of the Select Board.
”I’m honored by Norton’s decision and will have more to share publicly when the time is right,” said Gould.