Walpole selectman becomes mayor's aid in Marlboro

Selectman Mike Berry is going to bat for two Bay State towns now.

Berry, who serves as the Walpole Board of Selectmen vice chairman, is now the executive aide to the new mayor of Marlborough.

Mayor Arthur Vigeant tapped Berry for the job last Friday. Berry began his new job this week.

Berry served three years on Walpole?s School Committee before being elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2010. Before his new position in Marlborough, he worked in public affairs for two different Boston-based companies. He also worked for three years at the State House and has a master?s in public administration from Bridgewater State.

?The bulk of my career has been spent in government relations and public policy, and I?m happy to have the opportunity to begin doing that again,? Berry said. ?Public service and public policy is a real passion of mine. It?s the reason why I got involved in Walpole, serving on boards at a relatively young age, and it?s what I hope to continue doing in the future both in Walpole and during the day now for city of Marlborough.?

Marlborough, a city of 38,000 about 30 miles north of Walpole, elected the Republican Vigeant, a CPA and longtime city councilman, last month. Vigeant picked Berry to be his right-hand man for his blend of municipal and state government experience combined with private sector work.

?We cast a wide net to attract the most qualified candidates for this important position,? Vigeant said. ?A number of outstanding people were interviewed. In the end, I?m confident that Mike?s experience and background is best suited to accomplishing the goals we have set.?

Berry said his new job won?t affect his ability to serve as a Walpole Selectman.

?I made sure that my joining the city of Marlborough would be fully compatible with my duties as a selectman, and I wouldn?t take any job if it would prevent me from fulfilling my obligation to the people who elected me,? he said. ?I love being a selectman. I enjoy the job. It?s not something I would give up.?

Working with Marlborough?s mayor and city council could even benefit Walpole, Berry said.

?I look forward to learning from my experience and taking what I?ve learned and volunteering for Walpole,? he said. ?It?s all about making government work as efficiently as possible for the people and making sure government is responsive, whether I?m a selectman in Walpole or an executive aide in Marlborough.?

Marlborough Enterprise editor Paul Crocetti contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.wickedlocal.com/walpole/town_info/government/x735287505/Walpole-selectman-becomes-mayors-aid-in-Marlboro

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