CONWAY — After two months with an interim town administrator guiding the town through Annual Town Meeting season, Veronique Blanchard was sworn in as the full-time replacement at Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon.
Blanchard, who has lived in Conway for four years, will take over administrative duties on June 28.
Blanchard said she was “grateful and humbled” by the opportunity to serve the town.
“I will do everything I can for Conway,” Blanchard said. “The people and town employees make the town what it is.”
It is Blanchard’s first time working as a town administrator, but she spent multiple years as the municipal assistance coordinator with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
She said she loves the people and beauty of Conway, and she felt like she had a good opportunity to get involved in town government.
“I’ve always been a public servant,” Blanchard said. “I felt like it was the time, and with my background and training, it felt right to serve.”
Blanchard said she doesn’t have any lofty priorities, but her goal is “to continue making Conway a great place to live.”
“I’m excited for the future,” Blanchard said. “I look forward to working with the people of Conway.”
Interim Town Administrator Ross Perry took over administrative duties in mid-April and helped the town navigate Town Meeting season, after former Town Administrator Tom Hutcheson moved on to a job in Dalton.
Perry told Blanchard on Tuesday that she is inheriting a town full of great people.
“You’re lucky to have such dedicated and professional town employees,” Ross told her after she was sworn in.
Perry said he took pleasure in working through the busiest part of a town administrator’s schedule, but he is glad to be able to head on vacation with his family.
“I like Town Meeting. It’s the last true form of democracy,” Perry said. “Everybody is willing to discuss and politely voice their opinion.”
Selectboard member Philip Kantor said Blanchard is in for a great experience in Conway.
“At times you’ll be made speechless, but we think it’ll make you a great storyteller,” Kantor said to Blanchard. “So, welcome!”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.