Milford Selectmen Choose Town Administrator

Richard Villani will become the new town administrator for Milford.

Selectmen voted 3-0 to appoint Villani as the town administrator, with a contract to be negotiated over the next several days. 

He  who is retiring.

Villani, 55, a Milford resident, is an attorney with a private practice in town. He was among five individuals interviewed for the position.

The motion to appoint him as town administrator was made by Selectman Dino DeBartolomeis, who said he appreciated the strengths of all of the candidates, but felt Villani was the best choice.

"He has the necessary skills," DeBartolomeis said.

Brian Murray, the current chairman, seconded the motion, and also spoke to his qualifiations. "I also feel comfortable with the work that Mr. Villani can do in that position."

Before the discussion and vote on Villani, Murray had advocated for Barbara Auger, the town treasurer of 16 years. "One candidate would be excellent in that position. A great employee, very dedicated, knows the budget process very well. I think she would be very able to handle that position."

But no other member made a motion to select her, and DeBartolomeis was then recognized, and spoke for Villani.

The other finalists were: Noel Bon Tempo, a government teacher at Milford High School, and an attorney; William Kingkade Jr., a manager with the MBTA, and John D'Agostino, the town manager of Abington, a town on the South Shore.

Villani has been a trustee of the Geriatric Authority since 1993. Prior to opening his business, he was a partner at Consigli, Brucato and Villani, and an associate attorney before that. From 1988 to 2003 he was an instructor at Newbury College in Brookline.

He obtained his law degree at Suffolk University in Boston, and his bachelor of arts degree at Worcester State College (now University.)

Villani was interviewed by the three selectmen on Feb. 12. The broadcast is now available on the Milford TV YouTube channel.

In his interview, Villani emphasized his analytical and communications skills, and knowledge of the town. "I see this as an exciting opportunity to serve the town I was born and raised in," he said. Villani told selectmen he has reviewed town budgets and met with several department heads since applying for the position. "When you have your own business, you are accountable," he said. "You are responsible. I feel I will bring those traits to the position, should I be selected."

Last month, prior to the interviews of all finalists, DeBartolomeis had publicly disclosed that he and Villani are second cousins. He said the relationship was not one that required him to abstain from discussion or a vote, but said he wanted to disclose it publicly "so there is not perception of a conflict."

In his interview, Villani was asked how he would communicate with the Board of Selectmen. He described his communications style as "open, honest, direct. If you need information from me, I want to know. [The] Chairman will set the tone, and I respect that. [But] I feel if I get information, all of you get it at the same time."

He also said he wanted to know if the board felt he was doing something wrong. "I would like to have a dialogue where we can talk with each other. If you think I'm going down the wrong road, I need to know about that immediately. I'd like to make your jobs easier. ... My personal opinions don't have merit. You don't need to know them. You need information. You need data. You need to know what's going on in this town."

Negotiations will determine what Villani is paid, and when he begins. The Board had set the salary range when advertising the position as between $90,000 and $125,000.