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Date: 8/31/2022
CHESTER – After spending most of his career in government service, former Westfield mayor, state senator and state representative Donald Humason Jr. has been hired as the new town administrator, to start Sept. 6.
Humason, a Westfield native and resident, served in the state House from 2003 to 2013, when he won a special election to complete the term of departing state Sen. Michael Knapik, also a Republican. Humason continued to serve in the Senate until the end of 2019, when he was elected to a two-year term as Westfield mayor. He was defeated in his reelection bid by Michael McCabe in November.
Humason, who is 55, said his favorite part of being a mayor was working with people and “getting stuff done. As I got older, I liked the politics less and less. I got tired of it – in Boston, it’s all politics. It just got tiring for me. I felt like I’d rather get stuff done than play politics.”
Now he is excited to use that experience on behalf of Chester.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a great run of jobs. Those were good political positions, but I’m happy to be out of that now and learning the ropes for the town and for the selectmen,” he said.
“Obviously we’re very excited that he applied, and very excited to have him join us. His extensive background through all of Massachusetts should be a valuable addition to our needs and the needs of all the citizens of Chester,” said Jason Forgue, vice chair of the Chester Select Board.
Humason said that during the interview for the job, he was asked why, as a former mayor and former senator, he would want to be a town administrator. He responded, why wouldn’t he?
“I’ve always liked the flavor and feel of the hilltowns, Chester especially,” he added. He said with the new job he is coming “full circle.”
Humason said he’s been visiting Chester since he was a kid, often to see his good friend, Karen Pease, whose father Duane Pease was a selectman. Karen’s sister Barbara Pease Huntoon also served as a selectman and is now the moderator in town.
Living on the Russell-Westfield line, Humason has never been too far away.
“It’s 15 miles from my driveway to Town Hall. I don’t hit a traffic light, stop sign, and I don’t hit traffic. It’s a beautiful commute, a gorgeous town, the people are nice – I think I can take some of the things I’ve learned, the contacts I’ve made in state and local government and use them for a community I really like,” he said.
In preparation for the interview, Humason said he spent a lot of time in town, taking different roads, finding out where everything was, and doing research online. He took his son Quinn to the Chester Railway Station to see the trains, a particular interest of Quinn’s, and was fortunate to run into Chester Foundation President David Pierce, who spent an hour and a half with them in the museum.
Humason’s political connections may come in handy as the plans for West-East Rail (as Chester calls it) passenger service move forward with recent support from the governor, and the possibility of a stop in Chester.
“I was in on the ground floor, working with Sen. Lesser when I was in the Legislature. In my opinion, it’s another step toward getting that goal for Chester,” Humason said.
Forgue agreed that Humason’s connections and experience will be helpful.
“I think what we’re looking forward to is the fact that we’ll stay on top of all of our current legislators. With the connections he has and will continue to foster, Chester won’t be forgotten, and will get what it needs and deserves,” he said.
The full-time town administrator position, which was advertised at $62,000, reports to the three-member Select Board. Duties include overseeing town departments and employees appointed by the board, personnel and grant administration, budget preparation, general management of fiscal operations within the town and development of short- and long-range fiscal plans.
Humason said he knows as town administrator that he will defer to the selectmen as the elected officials. He said former Town Administrator Kathe Warden, now serving a similar role in Becket, has said she would be available to help him with the transition.
“My job has always been to be a cheerleader – if I’m working for the town of Chester, I want to cheerlead for Chester,” Humason said, adding, “That’s the philosophy I’ve employed at every job I’ve held. Now I’ll do it for Chester.”