2. What do you think are the key issues facing the town, short and long term, and how would you approach them?

Norfolk has numerous key issues it is facing in the short and long term. One of the most critical issues the town faces is the development of its Master Plan. The strategic direction of the town is an essential part of determining what the future of Norfolk looks like. Issues such as what type of development to pursue, the residential tax burden, budget priorities, and various infrastructure projects that the town is currently addressing and considering are ultimately guided by the Master Plan and provide the framework for the direction of the town for the years to come. I would be remiss not to mention the budget and municipal finance, as ultimately, that is one of the most fundamental issues the town faces.

3. What is it about this job in particular that appealed to you?

I was immediately interested in the town of Norfolk and this job because of the many opportunities and challenges the town faces. There are a lot of projects the town is working on, and I was interested in being in a community where various projects are on the horizon. As I researched the community and organization, I felt it would be a great fit, as my attributes and skills aligned with what I felt were needed within the organization. Norfolk has an excellent team, and its personnel is dedicated to making it the best community it can be. The Select Board provides clear direction, and ultimately the residents I interacted with in general as I was researching the community seemed passionate, respectful, and engaged. I knew I was prepared to take the next step in my career and become a town administrator, but I wanted it to be in the right community, and Norfolk seemed like the ideal place for me.

4. What do you think are your greatest strengths and how will you utilize them in Norfolk?

I have a strong background in municipal finance. I have been involved with budgeting or municipal finance for over seven years. I have been honored to have received several awards based on the budget work I have done in Cambridge and Brookline, collectively and individually. So, I hope to utilize my municipal finance background with our strong finance team here. Ultimately, I hope to work on a long-term forecast for the town and improve the town’s finances. But, I believe my greatest strength is that I am a people person. My leadership style is to work collaboratively. The notion of the team is fundamental to me and ultimately leads to better results, in my opinion. 

5. What are your hobbies and interests?

I am an avid reader, I particularly enjoy books based on history, but I also enjoy reading different genres. I play basketball in my free time and have been playing with the same friends for over 20 years. Finally, I love to travel. Anytime I get the opportunity to visit a new destination or experience different cultures is thrilling for me. 

6. Is there anything else you’d like to share or let the community know about you?

I am incredibly thankful and excited to be here in Norfolk. I am passionate about working in local government. There are a lot of opportunities here to improve the community and our organization, and I am excited every day that I get to come to work and work with our team, the Select Board, and the residents.By Grace Allen

Justin Casanova-Davis is Norfolk’s new town administrator. He replaces Blythe Robinson, who held the job for the past three years. 

Prior to coming to Norfolk, Casanova-Davis, a Whitman resident, had been Brookline’s assistant town administrator since 2018. He also served as Brookline’s acting finance director/treasurer-collector for a year and was a principal budget analyst for the city of Cambridge from 2016 to 2018. He has also been a budget analyst for the state. 

Casanova-Davis recently agreed to answer some questions for readers of Local Town Pages.

1. How have your past municipal experiences prepared you for your new role in Norfolk? 

I have been privileged to work with outstanding teams and wonderful communities throughout my career. I have been involved with nearly every facet of town administration, and I believe the number and variety of projects I have been exposed to have prepared me for this role. My last role as Assistant Town Administrator in the town of Brookline helped me develop the requisite skills necessary to become a town administrator. My experience during the pandemic, in particular, exposed me to new obstacles and provided me with further opportunities to experience new challenges that further prepared me to become a town administrator.