GRANBY — The Select Board offered the town administrator position to Ron Aponte, a 25-year Belchertown Select Board member and former information technology professional.
During a meeting Monday night, the board members agreed that Aponte had the most experience and expertise in municipal operations and finances. During a brief recess, acting Town Administrator Kevin O’Grady called Aponte to offer him the job.
“He is very excited and would like to enter into negotiations as town administrator,” O’Grady said.
Aponte served on Belchertown Select Board from 1999 to 2024. According to his resume, he helped transition the town to a modern budgeting system, maintained the town’s high bond rating and negotiated union contracts across departments. While on the board, Aponte kept the Select Board informed on the Belchertown State School redevelopment as the liaison for the Belchertown Economic Development Industrial Corporation.
“He probably has a good idea of what Granby is like and what running a small town is like,” said Select Board Chair Mark Bail.
During his time on the Select Board, Aponte navigated internal and external interpersonal issues. He supported the emergency management of the October 2011 snowstorm that left the town without power for two weeks.
“I’m especially proud of the perception that even in disagreement, no one ever doubted my motivation of trying to better the Town of Belchertown,” Aponte wrote in his cover letter.
Aponte most recently served as town administrator of Brookfield and North Brookfield. Under the jurisdiction of the Select Board, Aponte worked with the Select Board and the department heads to run the town and propose balanced budgets. Despite the tense atmosphere when he first arrived, Aponte writes he was able to create an collaborative working environment.
Aponte resigned from his position in Brookfield and North Brookfield on Feb. 1, 2026.
Granby has not had a town administrator since the Select Board fired Tammy Martin in December 2025. Martin lasted six months and replaced Christopher Martin, of no relation, who worked the job for 24 years.
Aponte was chosen from a pool of three candidates. Stephen Nembrikow is the Greenfield Finance Director Doug Newton, according to his Linkedin profile, served as a legislative aid for Sen. John Keenan (D-Norfolk and Plymoth) and a Municipal Policy Analyst in Watertown.
“I think he’s [Newton] more on a state level and not as adept on the municipality end of things,” Select Board Member David Labonte said.
