Mashpee Gets New Town Manager

CCB MEDIA PHOTO Rodney Collins is sworn in as Mashpee Town Manager by Mashpee Town Clerk Deborah Dami, as right. Collins' partner Kate Sampson is with her back to the camera.

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Rodney Collins is sworn in as Mashpee Town Manager by Mashpee Town Clerk Deborah Dami, as right. Collins’ partner Kate Sampson is with her back to the camera.

MASHPEE – Mashpee’s former police chief has a new title.

Rodney Collins was sworn into office Friday as town manager, taking over for Joyce Mason who retired after working for 35 years in town hall.

An overflow crowd of more than 120 people, including dozens of town employees and police officers, watched the ceremony as Collins, accompanied by his partner, Kate Sampson, was sworn in by Mashpee Town Clerk Deborah Dami.

Collins gave a speech after the swearing in about his goals for his first months on the job, including creating 30-60-90 plans, as well as long range plans.

CCB MEDIA PHOTO Rodney Collins speaks to a full gathering at Mashpee Town Hall.

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Rodney Collins speaks to a full gathering at Mashpee Town Hall.

“I look forward to having a very progressive agenda with the board of selectmen in terms of setting goals and objects and I also look forward to a long-term strategic plan. But today, it’s all about enjoying the moment,” he said.

Collins thanked the board of selectmen.

“I really appreciate the trust that the board of selectmen have placed in my abilities,” he said.

After the ceremony, many in the crowd went to a party held to honor Collins at Willowbend Country Club, hosted by Willowbend owner David Soutworth and planned by George Regan of Regan Communications.

CCB MEDIA PHOTO Rodney Collins, center, poses with US Congressman Bill Keating and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell during a reception at Willowbend after Collins' swearing in as town manager.

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Rodney Collins, center, poses with US Congressman Bill Keating and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell during a reception at Willowbend after Collins’ swearing in as town manager.

The event at Willowbend featured Boston sportscaster Bob Lobel as master of ceremonies. Among the guests were US Congressman Bill Keating, Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe and Barnstable County Sheriff James Cummings, as well as several other police chiefs from the region.

Collins said it is his ability to connect with people that helped him to get the job over other candidates who, on paper, had more experience in municipal government. “It’s all about community networking and I fully believe that’s why I’m standing here. That’s why I was appointed,” he said.

Collins left the police department on July 4 in advance of becoming the town’s chief executive, where he’ll earn $139,000 in the first of a four-year contract.

He’ll receive a 2% raise each year. Collins previously said he was eager to get to work.

Selectmen chose Collins last month to replace Mason.

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