Harvard has hired its first director of community and economic development, concluding a months-long hiring process. The new director, Christopher Ryan, will work full time performing the duties of the former part-time town planner position in addition to new ones.
The hiring process began after the May 5, 2018, Annual Town Meeting, at which the Planning Board’s proposal to hire a full-time town planner passed. At the subsequent Town Election, the charter was approved, giving the Select Board the option to hire either a planner or a director of community and economic development. After the Select Board chose the latter, Human Resources Director Marie Sobalvarro and Planning Board Chair Erin McBee worked together to choose the most qualified individuals from the pool of applicants. After interviewing six candidates, they hired Ryan.
Ryan has more than 30 years of experience in the field, a master’s degree in city planning, and a doctorate in environmental studies. He has served in more than a dozen roles, both practical and teaching, both in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Most notably, he was the director of planning and development in Ayer from 2007 to 2009, where he gained familiarity with the situation surrounding Devens. Sobalvarro stated that Ryan’s familiarity with Devens and long work experience set him apart from other applicants, many of whom were recent graduates.
Ryan’s salary will be $83,000 ($39.90 hourly), which exceeds the amount approved at Town Meeting for the full-time town planner. According to Sobalvarro, the increased salary reflects the greater responsibilities of the expanded position.
In his role as director of community and economic development, Ryan will be expected not just to deal with the regular business of a town planner, but also to provide overall direction to the town’s land use boards. According to Sobalvarro, Ryan also suggested that his role be expanded to involve advising the Community Preservation Committee, as its jurisdiction overlaps with his.
Starting Oct. 1, Ryan will work in the land use office at Town Hall, a space shared by Conservation Agent Liz Allard and Nashoba Associated Boards of Health sanitarian Ira Grossman, among others.
