WILLIAMSBURG — Former North Adams Mayor Thomas Bernard has been named Williamsburg’s next town administrator. Following a unanimous Select Board vote on Tuesday, Bernard emerged from a field of 18 candidates to lead the town through a three-year term beginning April 6.
“I’m excited,” said Select Board Chair Denise Banister, adding that the job will entail scouting out the dreams of residents and opportunities for the town. “We’re gonna work hard as best we can.”
In North Adams, a.k.a. “Massachusetts’ smallest city,” Bernard served two terms, from 2017 through 2021, and did not seek reelection. In an interview moments after he accepted the position of town administrator, Bernard said that serving as the city’s chief executive carried with it a “tremendous amount of authority.”
But in Williamsburg, he looks forward to being a partner.
“I’m not looking to be mayor again. I’m looking to be an administrator — and that’s really where my strength lies … to keep things moving, to be a partner, a facilitator and use what I’ve learned and the relationships that I have at the local level,” he said.
Before his election as mayor in 2018, Bernard worked at Smith College, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Mass MoCa. According to the Williams College Record — the student newspaper at Bernard’s alma mater — his first term was primarily focused on matters such as hiring a new police chief and building a cross-Berkshire bike path. His second term was largely consumed by the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After serving as mayor, he worked as president and CEO of Berkshire United Way until July 2025. Bernard also holds a degree in Public Administration from Westfield State University.
Bernard said while he is new in town, he is ready to “put his boots on” and meet people, starting with popular places like the Cumberland Farms and Dunkin.
“Day one is listening with humility and keeping my ears open and making sure, more than anything else, that I don’t come in with any assumptions that are inaccurate,” he said. “My goal is to be approachable, to listen. I might not always have the answer — I might not always have the answer you like — but I’m here to work for this community.”
The board discussed his first week, and recommended he meet with all town departments. Next Thursday he has scheduled lunch at the Council on Aging, where he might even play a game of cribbage.
Long-term, Bernard will be responsible for overseeing the completion of the Mill River Greenway, a 2.5-mile bike lane being slated to be installed this spring. Other ongoing projects include painting the exterior of the town office building on Main Street.
Outside of work, his leading interests include coffee and nature.
“I love a good cup of coffee,” he said. “I really love the outdoors, especially this time of year, just getting around and hiking, and that’s kind of where I find my peace.”
Bernard succeeds Nick Caccamo, who left the role in January to become town administrator of Adams. Executive Assistant Elizabeth Van Iderstine has served as the interim town administrator in Caccamo’s absence. Starting April 6, Van Iderstine will be the executive assistant to the new town administrator.
