For Dori Vecchio, 1998 was a very good year. It was then that she began her career in public service specifically in the city of Worcester. Armed with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting, along with her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Clark University combined with her Massachusetts Certification as a Public Purchasing Official, she stepped onto the first rung of the civil service ladder. When she was hired as the Director of Administration in the Worcester Parks Department, Vecchio found her niche.

 “There was a lot of accounting and staff management,” said Vecchio. “The longer I’m involved in government, the better I realize the reason I’m here. It’s to assist our town residents, to resolve their issues, and to speak with them about any town situation whether positive or negative. In all the municipal positions I’ve held, this is where I get the most satisfaction. I aspire to get things done, so that fits well with what I enjoy accomplishing and I have a great staff that helps me do it. The best part is that I thoroughly enjoy working with our Auburn residents and town employees. I enjoy having them be part of the decision-making process. We are not separate entities; we are united in our goals. I feel that I am a team manager and I want their input and feedback to make the best of every decision for our town. I very much look forward to our residents’ feedback.”

On Monday, September 8, the Auburn Select Board voted to appoint Paul Dell’Aquila as Auburn’s new Assistant Town Manager/Economic Development Director. Mr. Dell’Aquila’s experience as Boylston’s Town Planner will serve him well in his new position. 

“He will focus on and oversee our Economic Development and Planning Division,” said Vecchio. “He will work with our town employees to develop an economic plan to bring more business to town. It’s our town priority and my own priority. This is an area of Auburn that needs attention. We need to develop strong relationships with commercial property owners. 

Currently, Stephen Coleman, the Chief of our Auburn Fire Rescue Department, has become our part-time Assistant Town Manager. He has a dual role because of his immense amount of expertise in the town of Auburn and government in general as well as his excellent communication skills.”

Ms. Vecchio has been with the town of Auburn since March of 2023 when she was hired as the Assistant Town Manager/Human Resource Director. Her goals for Auburn are to reduce residential tax rates as she is very much aware of senior citizens’ challenges in this area.

 “We hope to reduce the residential tax rate while bringing in new business. Mr. Dell’Aquila’s focus will be in this area. We also want to manage our 40B development while having a positive impact on our residents’ lives with beneficial events and programs and increased activity. We look forward to mixed-use development,” said Vecchio. Chapter 40B is a state statute, which enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments under flexible rules if at least 20-25% of the units have long-term affordability restrictions.