Sean Cronin, senior deputy commissioner of local services within the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, will be the state overseer for Lawrence.
Lawrence, a 78,000-populaton city about 30 miles north of Boston, has been under state oversight since it reported a $27 million operating deficit. The overseer has worked with city officials annually on spending decisions and contracts. The city has balanced its last three budgets.
Moody's Investors Service last month upgraded Lawrence to A3 from Baa1. "Since the appointment of the overseer, the city has stabilized its financial position through the issuance of deficit notes and the adoption of more conservative fiscal management practices, resulting in an improved reserve and liquidity position," Moody's said in advance of the city's $6 million issuance of general obligation bond anticipation notes.
Cronin spent the last 17 years working in Brookline, a Boston suburb, the past 12 as its deputy town administrator. Pam Kocher, who took over from Robert Nunes on an interim basis in November, will remain working for the Division of Local Services as director of special initiatives and assist Cronin.
"Sean's years of financial expertise at the municipal level will be an asset," said Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore. "I know he and Mayor [Daniel] Rivera will make a great team."
