On Monday, September 8, the Auburn Selectboard appointed Mr. Paul Dell’Aquila as their new Assistant Town Manager and Economic Development Director on the recommendation of Town Manager Dori Vecchio. “Paul will start with the Town of Auburn on Monday, Sept. 22nd.  He will oversee the planning division and the economic development division.  He has a wealth of experience working in municipalities, in planning and economic development.  At the same time, I am able to keep on Fire Chief Steve Coleman part-time to handle some major projects that I am working on all staying within the Town Meeting approved budget.  I am excited to have both of these men work with me to continue to move this town forward with a focus on bringing in development and housing in areas outlined within our housing production plan and our strategic plan while at the same time preserving our neighborhoods and ultimately sharing the tax burden in a way that reduces the burden for homeowners,” stated Town Manager Vecchio. 

According to Mr. Dell’Aquila, he has been a professional planner for the past 10 years in Central Massachusetts in housing, environmental quality, public safety, and state zoning requirements. He has built an extensive network of colleagues at the municipal, state, and federal levels who have been vital in securing grants through the One Stop, LAND/PARC, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs. He has promoted economic development while employed with the town of Spencer including downtown revitalization projects that included state and federal grants, disposition of public properties through proposal requests, business requirement, reuse of a retail plaza, and creative placemaking. 

His most recent position with the Town of Boylston involved the development of over 1 million square feet of new warehouse space and the development of a friendly 40B project that tripled the town’s affordable housing stock. He also served as the lead staffer on the creation of a Master Plan for a 300-acre municipal complex balancing open space and recreational uses, municipal needs with opportunities to increase housing supply and to grow the tax base.

Dell’Aquila recently graduated with distinction from Suffolk University/Mass. Municipal Association’s program in Municipal Leadership and Governance. The program focused on budgeting, human resources, law and public safety, and strategic leadership. 

His education includes a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from UCLA and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Tufts University. He is a member of the Massachusetts Association of Planning Professionals and the American Institute of Certified Planners in addition to being a graduate of Worcester Academy having received their Mark Levine Life Award. His background also includes being an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.