New Framingham Parks & Recreation Direction Named

The following is a press release:

The Town of Framingham is pleased to announce James Duane has been selected to serve as the next Director of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs for the Town of Framingham.

Duane has been filling the role of interim-Director, since the retirement of Robert Merusi in March. He joined the Town of Framingham in 2006 as the Division Operations Manager for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department providing oversight of the multi-departmental operations division.

In 2013, he was promoted to Deputy Directory and provided leadership and guidance to the senior department managers of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department.

Duane, an Ashland resident, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from Framingham State College, and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Framingham State University. 

The Town is confident Duane will continue to build positive relationships with the community through his leadership, enthusiastic approach and his ability to deliver high quality service through effective financial planning and departmental oversight. 

Joan Rastani, Chair of the Parks Commission, said ““Speaking on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Commission, I want to assure the community that we endorse this appointment. We have been working with Jim for some time and we know he is an excellent selection for Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.”

“Jim Duane has proven to be an outstanding Operations Manager
for the Division of Parks, Recreation and Culture and in his role as Deputy Director has shown himself to be an outstanding project manager and leader within the division," said Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin. "He will assure that the division continues to meet the high standards of excellence and quality that resident and users of the Town recreation programs and facilities have come to expect. Of equal importance, he has shown me that he will be completely invest as a member of the integrated senior management team I am building to accomplish great things for the community of Framingham.”