Marshall
A key summerlong vacancy will be filled Sept. 19, when as 36-year-old Jon Marshall begins work directing town recreation.
He comes from a similar position in Natick, where he has worked since 2004, building a record of local accomplishment. He also has served as president of the Massachusetts Recreation & Parks Association. He is now the legislative chairman.
He fills the position vacated by Joe Connelly, who served twice as director, since about 2000. Connelly left in May and began as rec chief in Andover in June. He was hired by Andrew Flanagan, former deputy town manager in Arlington until last October.
Asked about his successes in Natick, Marshall provided a lengthy list over the last five years.
"I have been able to work with a number of departments, groups and residents to complete a number of projects in Natick," he wrote in an email Monday, Aug. 29. They are:
-- Completing two major park projects -- a renovating and expanding one from 3 to 7 acres -- and installing an artificial turf field, "turning one of the worst fields in town to one of the most used." A walking track and more parking were added.
-- Finishing a field and park master plan after working with town officials, school officials and residents. "We have already begun implementation of the plan, with design services beginning for two sites this fall," he wrote.
-- Created a park stewardship program, working with residents to take an active role in cleanup and beautification.
-- Increased revenues and decreased expenses at the municipal-operated golf course.
-- Improved programming for residents of all ages and abilities.
'How things operate'
Asked what challenges he expects to face here, he wrote: "I think one of the major ones will be learning how things operate in Arlington.
"Another would be learning where everything is. I have spent a few evenings driving around but will still need some time to not rely on navigation to get me where I need to go."
Marshall comes to a town of about 43,000 people squeezed in to 5 1/2 square miles with a long tradition of the importance of recreation. Natick, a western suburb, has about 33,000 residents who have more room, 16 square miles.
His annual salary in Arlington is $102,000 per year.
His resume says that, in Natick, he has operated a department that offers 370 programs, 20 community events and has more than 30 parks and fields. Marshall has been director since February 2012 and oversees its rink contract.
A $1.3 million field project, completed in 2015, received more than $500,000 in private funding. A $1 million park renovation was finished in 2014.
From May 2004 to February 2012, he was the rec department's program director. Among other duties, he partnered with local businesses to offer more than 20 large community events.
Among recognitions, he received Natick's Design of Facility Award for John J. Lane Park in 2015 and, in 2009, was named New Professional of the Year by the Massachusetts Recreation & Parks Association and received a letter of recognition from Natick selectmen.
Marshall has been a member of the National Recreation & Parks Association since 2006.
He has received certificate in public administration from Suffolk University for five graduate-level courses (drafted guidelines for local legislature to amend Community Preservation Act for his final project) and will be continuing his education this fall 2016 at Suffolk.
He is a 2002 graduate in social work from Salve Regina University.
This news summary was published Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016.
