Leon Gaumond Jr. carries vast experience in governance and politics with over 35 years in public service, and the last 24 of which were dedicated to town administration. As Town Manager of Weston, he oversees the day-to-day operations of municipal departments under his authority, including Public Safety, Public Works, Municipal Facilities & Municipal Finance among other direct services.
In an interview with Government Business Review, he shared how local governments translate community needs into action. Gaumond Jr. also highlighted the importance of cooperation and positivity in public service. Building a Career in Public Service I began working in politics at 16 as an intern in a state representative’s office in Springfield, Massachusetts, and it felt like politics was in my blood. I graduated with a degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland, and later earned my master’s in Public Administration from American International College in Springfield. Not long after I began my master’s program, the same state representative I had interned with was looking for a legislative assistant, and I was fortunate to be hired into that role in my early 20s. I ended up working in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for about 10 years, eventually serving as Chief of Staff to that same representative. We later ran a campaign for mayor of Springfield. When that didn’t work out, I decided to shift my focus to municipal management, which is where I wanted to spend the rest of my career. I started as an Executive Secretary in the neighboring town of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and worked there for a few years before moving on to West Boylston, where I was hired as Town Administrator. I served in that role for about 10 and a half years. After that, I spent a few years in the town of Sturbridge, and then moved to Weston, where I’ve been for about eight years now. Fostering Positivity in the Workplace Given how stressful public roles are, I try to maintain a positive attitude in the workplace, including the elected officials, municipal staff and volunteer boards and committees. Over time, that pressure has only increased, with social media shaping both public perception and decision-making. Being lighthearted to keep people’s spirits high has made me successful. At the same time, I rely on hiring good people and trusting them to do their jobs. I’m not a micromanager; my team is given the space to make decisions, and I help to back them up in the decisions they have made. Evolving with Community Expectations When I started here in Weston, I established a sustainability committee with a sustainability coordinator to guide the town through opportunities available through the Massachusetts Green Communities Program. We are now recognized as a climate leader by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We have long been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as well. Public communication has become another central focus in recent years, particularly as the presence of local newspapers has diminished. As a result, we try to use available technology to reach people. On our podcast, I discuss issues that our governing body, the Select Board, addresses during meetings. Through a cable television program and an extensive LISTSERV network, residents receive updates based on their interests. We have also introduced newsletters, direct mail and social media channels to broaden access to information. For those who prefer face-to-face communication, I hold neighborhood meetings across the town at different times. While this demands a lot of time, my assistant helps me coordinate these efforts. Alignment and Resilience in Public Service Stakeholder alignment begins with the elected officials, who set the overall direction for the community. My role, along with the municipal staff and volunteer boards, is to translate that into action, ensuring we are all moving in the same direction.That effort increasingly depends on attracting and retaining people willing to dedicate their lives to the community. As the incentives that once drew individuals to the profession have eroded, it is difficult to sustain a workforce built on quality, qualification and commitment. Moreover, the spirit of cooperation and happiness is essential within the workplace. Public service is a serious job, and social media platforms bring constant exposure to public scrutiny, so having a thick skin and staying focused on the mission supports alignment. At its core, it is about creating communities that people are proud of and that will last generations.