by John Osborn ·
Friday, June 19, 2026
The Select Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to appoint Dawn Dunbar as Harvard’s town administrator, capping a three-month term as interim town administrator that began after the previous administrator, Dan Nason, resigned in February.
Dunbar, who was hired last August as assistant town administrator and human resources director, stepped into the interim role on March 17 and has been doing all three jobs since then. Before coming to Harvard, she served nine years as executive assistant to the town manager in Groton and three years as Groton’s town clerk.
“The level of communication has been amazing since day one,” board Chair SusanMary Redinger said. “You work well with others, and you bring a wealth of background knowledge. We’re lucky to have you.”
All eight department heads and senior staff who evaluated Dunbar during the selection process rated her either “highly efficient” or “exemplary” overall. Several noted her communication style as a marked improvement. One wrote that she had “stepped up with communication and collaboration that has been lacking in Harvard for far too long.”
The board also authorized Redinger to begin contract negotiations with Dunbar.
“Every day is a learning day,” Dunbar said after the vote, “and I think through communication and collaboration we can all learn from each other.”
Look for a fuller account of Dunbar’s appointment, including her priorities for the town, at harvardpress.com.