Northborough town administrator to retire
By Ken Powers Community Reporter

Northborough - Barry Brenner, Northborough's town administrator for more than 11 years, announced at the April 14 Board of Selectmen's meeting that he plans to retire.

Brenner said that his eff ective retirement date will be sometime in the fall, but that he plans to vacate his office in July. Brenner said he expects to move on to a consulting position in New Hampshire, and will relocate there as well.

"I have a deep aff ection and appreciation for the town and its residents," Brenner said. "I've enjoyed a special bond with really everyone I've come in contact with since I stepped foot in Northborough, especially the selectmen."

While the selectmen were saddened by Brenner's announcement, they wasted little time in ensuring Northborough's transition to its next town administrator will be a seamless one. Prompted by Dawn Rand, the longest sitting selectmen, the board voted unanimously to have Brenner and Board of Selectmen Chair Bill Pantazis meet privately with Assistant Town Administrator John Coderre to find out if Coderre is interested in filling the position.

"Barry called me on Friday [April 11] and told me about his decision," Rand said, "and I got off the phone and thought, 'Here we go again, with a search and interviews.' But then I started to think about how unnecessary all that would be because we have the successor to Barry that we want already here in town."

If Coderre is interested, the board's motion gave Brenner and Pantazis the latitude to begin the negotiation process with him.

Following the meeting, Coderre confirmed he is interested in the position and the negotiating process will be a swift one.

"I'm honored that the board would immediately think of me," Coderre said. "I'm thrilled at the prospect of being the next town administrator in Northborough."