A Community in Transition:

Two departures have left Millis residents feeling uncertain about the future. Police Chief Keith F. Edison announced his retirement this coming August. And Charles Aspinwall has stepped down from his position as Town Administrator in order to take a position as Town Administrator of Canton, MA.
These changes come at a time when Millis itself is undergoing transformation. It has built a new library, is in the process of building a new police station, and is in discussions about building a new elementary school. But both men see Millis’s community spirit as its biggest strength and the key to the success of their eventual replacements.
Chief Edison took his role on March 1, 2012, having previously served with the Holliston Police Department. He recently announced his retirement, and his last day on the force will be August 20th.
“It’s been a privilege,” he says of his work in Millis. “I’ve enjoyed my time here very much.”
Chief Edison is excited about the new police station. “It’s happening, and that was my goal,” he says. And even though he won’t be here to enjoy the completed building, “I won’t be that far away.” Edison resides in Franklin
Much of a Police Chief’s work is behind-the-scenes, so while watching a new building go up is a beacon to the whole town, the community never gets to see the full impact of a Police Chief’s leadership. “When I came here, the staffing and supervisory structure was needed to be expanded. There was no sergeant on the overnight shift. We worked with the town to change that, and we added another supervisor in the department.”
He’s also pleased with the department’s ties to the Millis Public School. “I was happy to see that there was such a strong relationship, and we’ve continued that. I would hope that would continue in the future. It gives us a better understanding of the community, and the community sees why we do what we do.”
Town Administrator Charles Aspinwall has been with Millis since 1991, and his last day will be July 5th. It’s hard to encapsulate a career that spans a quarter century, and Aspinwall is proud of his accomplishments. “Last year I met someone who formerly lived in Millis and hadn’t been here for twenty years. They were quite complimentary in what the town has done, how we’ve improved infrastructure and redefined the center of town in Millis.”
The heart of Millis is, most importantly, its people. “The interactions with personnel, when we can work on difficult issues and come to resolution that all parties are satisfied with,” says Aspinwall, citing different interpersonal situations in the town management and how he’s worked to help make an impact with different individuals. “Those are the things that lend fulfillment in the job.”
Looking ahead, he says, “One concern I have about the town going into the future is the slowdown in volunteerism.” Citing the climate when he came onboard in 1991, “there was healthy competition for elected officials, and appointed officials, and that seems to have slowed down over the years. Bringing in a fresh perspective is important, rather than having the same ideas.”
He adds, referring to his move to Canton, “That’s important to me too, to provide the community with other perspectives as new town administrator.”
Suzanne Kennedy, formerly from Medway, will serve as interim town manager for probably three to five months while the board decides how to proceed with the recruitment of a new Town Administrator.
When asked if he has advice for the next Town Administrator, Aspinwall says, “Millis is a very caring community. It’s important to listen before you say or do anything: genuinely listen. And hear more than two sides of one story.”
Edison has similar advice for his eventual successor. “I think anyone who comes into this job today understands that there’s a need to maintain a relationship with the community, that it’s a dialogue and it’s understanding of the needs of the community. There are times it appears those might be in conflict, but in reality, if you step out of the immediate instant, there rarely is anything in the interest of the town that’s contrary to the interests of the police department, or in the interests of the police department that’s contrary to the interests of the town. They go hand in hand.”