Maynard Names New Police Chief, Awards $61.9 Million School Contract

MAYNARD — March 4, 2025 — Maynard's Select Board unanimously appointed Christopher Trano as the town's new police chief and awarded a $61.9 million construction contract for the new Green Meadow Elementary School at its March 4 meeting. Trano, previously deputy chief, was sworn in on the spot with his employment agreement running through June 30, 2027; retiring Chief Michael Noble, who served nearly 31 years, received a formal proclamation and was reappointed as a special officer through June 2026. The board awarded the Green Meadow general contractor contract to CTA Construction Managers LLC, with geothermal well installation roughly 65 percent complete and a pre-construction kickoff meeting expected within days. A proposed residential water filter rebate program — offering $500 for point-of-use and $2,000 for point-of-entry systems within a historic discoloration zone, at an estimated cost of $100,000 — drew no vote after member Jeffrey Swanberg said he was "not inclined to move forward" given that only a fraction of the more than 537 eligible customers could be served; the matter was deferred to the April 1 water rate hearing. The board also continued a public hearing on Russell's Convenience's bid to upgrade its package store license to all-alcoholic beverages after the town administrator disclosed that a one-year issuance deadline in the enabling legislation had already lapsed.