Blackstone Town Planner Role Opens as Shared Position
Blackstone Town Planner Position Moves Forward with Dudley Partnership
There’s new momentum behind the effort to hire a Blackstone Town Planner—a position that has gone unfilled for nearly 18 years. After years of discussion and several budget approvals, Blackstone has now partnered with the Town of Dudley to officially launch a shared planner position.
The Shared Town Planner posting went live on August 21 with a salary of up to $90,000, plus benefits. The role will be split evenly between the two towns: 20 hours a week in Blackstone and 20 hours in Dudley.
Why a Blackstone Town Planner Matters
For years, planning support in Blackstone has been handled by outside consultants. While helpful, this left much of the long-term visioning and zoning work to part-time assistance and a volunteer Planning Board. Hiring a dedicated Blackstone Town Planner means the town will have professional support to manage land use, economic development, and community planning on a consistent basis.
Background: A Longtime Goal
Discussions about hiring a Blackstone Town Planner go back as far as February 2023, when the Planning Board requested a part-time role. Over time, voters supported building the position into the town’s budget—funding that grew from $15,000 in FY2023 to $50,000 in FY2024.
Despite this commitment, the position was never filled. Instead, Blackstone continued to rely on consultant Gino Carlucci, who has worked with the town for over 15 years. That changed in June 2025, when Planning Board Chair Paul Marvelle and Carlucci presented a renewed push to move the process forward.
By August 12, the Board of Selectmen announced an agreement with the Town of Dudley, setting the stage for a regional solution.
How the Shared Town Planner Works
The shared role is structured as a 50-50 split:
- 20 hours per week in Blackstone
- 20 hours per week in Dudley
Both salary and benefits will also be shared evenly. Although the job posting lists a maximum of $90,000, Blackstone’s actual commitment is lower because costs are split with the Town of Dudley. This allows the town to move forward without exceeding the $50,000 that voters already approved for the Planning Board’s budget.
How the Blackstone Town Planner Is Funded
Some residents may wonder how Blackstone can budget $50,000 for the Town Planner but list the role at up to $90,000 in the job posting. Here’s how it works:
- Base Salary: Blackstone’s Planning Board budget includes $50,000 for the Town Planner. Because the role is shared 50/50 with Dudley, Blackstone is only responsible for about $45,000 of the total salary—less than what is already budgeted.
- Fringe Benefits (health insurance, Medicare, etc.): These costs are not in the Planning Board budget line, but in other areas of the town’s operating budget—where they are already voted on each year. The posting uses the “highest possible” cost scenario (including full health insurance), but in practice, the actual cost may be lower if the new hire waives some benefits.
- Bottom Line: The Blackstone Town Planner is fully funded within the town’s approved budget, even though the salary and benefits are listed across different line items. In the August 12 Board of Selectmen meeting, Town officials noted that they are being careful not to overspend, while still ensuring enough coverage to attract qualified candidates.
What the Blackstone Town Planner Will Do
The shared Town Planner will take on a wide range of responsibilities, including:
- Supporting the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals
- Reviewing land use permits and development proposals
- Leading long-term planning projects
- Preparing and administering grants
- Updating zoning bylaws and regulations
- Working with Economic Development Committees
- Representing both towns in regional planning initiatives
The role is designed to provide consistent, professional guidance as Blackstone and Dudley grow and face new development challenges.
The Road Ahead
Applications for the Blackstone Town Planner are open now through the town’s website and Indeed. The position will be filled in collaboration with Dudley, with oversight by both town administrators and input from their respective Planning Boards.
After nearly two decades of discussion, Blackstone is finally close to having a Town Planner on staff—an important milestone for long-term growth and community planning.
Shared Town Planner discussion starts 53:37
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