WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington Apple recently caught up with Wilmington Finance Director Bryan Perry, who was appointed back in May and started on June 24.
Question #1: How have the first few weeks gone in your new role?
Perry: “It’s gone great. It’s a wonderful place to work. The people here are wonderful — very nice and very cooperative. There’s a lot for me to learn. I’ve been trying to absorb everything I can from [retiring Town Accountant] Mike Morris, whose last day was July 12. It’s been as smooth a transition as it could be.”
Question #2: What attracted you to Wilmington?
Perry: “It’s a very attractive place to work. It’s a beautiful town with a small-town feel. Michael [Morris] has been a legend here. Everything is in great shape financially here. It’s a smooth operation. It’s a comfortable place for me. I come from North Andover, which is a very similar town and environment.”
Question #3: How have your past experiences in municipal finance prepared you for your new role in Wilmington?
Perry: “I worked in private industry in my first 10-15 years out of school. I had begun volunteering on the Board of Appeals in North Andover — it was something I fell into, more or less on a whim. My experience on that board piqued my interest in the world of municipal finance. I was then lucky enough to be chosen as the City Auditor in Lowell. Lowell is a big city with a lot of moving pieces. I had to adapt and learn things pretty quickly on the fly. I think that helped prepare me, in large part, for my transition here to the town of Wilmington.
Question #4: How would you compare the City of Lowell to the Town of Wilmington in regards to government and finances?
Perry: “Looking at a high level, the budget is similar. No matter what town you’re looking at, you’re funding public safety, you’re funding education, and you’re funding the general government. There’s a lot of obligations you need to meet. Those responsibilities don’t change. There is a different microscope under the city of Lowell. I reported to 9 City Councilors weekly. It was a different environment. But the accounting is, for the most part, the same. There is uniqueness to each town. Lowell is a Plan E form of government with the City Council, City Manager, and a Mayor. There’s definitely some differences between working for a town and working for a city, but there’s also a lot of common ground and similar aspects.”
Question #5: Your new position serves as Town Accountant and Chief Financial Officer, and oversees the Town’s financial activities which include accounting, assessing, collections, treasury, financial systems and purchasing. The position advises the Town Manager on revenue projections, serves as the Town Manager’s technical advisor on departmental budgets and management, and has oversight of the preparation of the Town’s annual operating and capital budgets. All this for one person?
Perry: “Oversees is the key. We have our own Treasurer. We have our own Assessor. They’re very good at what they do. I’m essentially another layer. There’s a lot of joint effort. The Town Budget is not simply left to my office to compile. That’s a collaborative effort that starts with the Town Manager and trickles down.
On a very high level, I’m tasked with the responsibility for overseeing and managing municipal finance to help run the town as smoothly, efficiently and effectively as possible. You want to provide quality education. You want to ensure public safety. You want to work with community development. From elementary students to senior citizens, you have a hand in making sure everyone in town has a high degree of qualify of life.”
Look for 5 more questions with Finance Director Bryan Perry tomorrow on Wilmington Apple.
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