When Michael Rosen reached over to grab his microphone at the latest Board of Selectman meeting, it was perhaps one of the first times he addressed the board publicly despite his omnipresence. His message was bittersweet.
“I’ve sat up here for three and a half years, and I believe this is the first time I’m ever using the microphone,” Rosen joked.
Rosen, the executive assistant to the first selectman, announced he has taken a job in Bedford, Mass., as the assistant town manager starting Monday, Dec. 14. Bedford, about 15 miles northwest of Boston, is a town of about 14,500 with an open town meeting and a Board of Selectmen.
Since the start of his Greenwich duties on Monday, July 2, 2012 to his final day on Friday, Dec. 11, Rosen has assisted the Board of Selectman in everything from administrative work in the selectmen’s office to handling citizen requests.
“It has been such an honor and pleasure to serve the residents of Greenwich for the past three and a half years,” Rosen said. “We have been through a lot of ups and downs together in that span, from the decimating effects of Hurricane Sandy to the pure joy of Greenwich’s 375th Anniversary Celebration.
“This opportunity as executive assistant has been an amazing frontline view of local government and of an active and engaged citizenry. The experience here has been invaluable and has shaped me into an up-and-coming public manager. I couldn’t have done that without my time here first.”
He added that he couldn’t have asked for a better mentor than the first selectman.
“I wish Michael well,” First Selectman Peter Tesei said. “He’s done a great job for me and for the board. Selfishly, I’m disappointed he’s leaving, but I’m very happy for him.”
Rosen, who is 30, holds a master’s degree in public administration from SUNY Albany.
He thanked the Board of Selectman, Town Administrator Ben Branyan, and the entire town staff for its guidance along the way.
“I’m going to miss all the friends I’ve made here at Town Hall and the community, but please know that I am fortunate to have met you all, learned from you all, laughed with you and most importantly, worked together to make this the best community around,” Rosen said.
“Thank you Greenwich, and keep in touch.”
