DEERFIELD — As numerous projects and initiatives continue to move forward, the town has tapped a longtime public servant to be its assistant town administrator.

The Selectboard last week approved the hiring of Greg Snedeker, a former music and economics teacher and current Gill Selectboard member. Snedeker has also worked extensively with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and serves on the Six Town Regionalization Planning Board, which is tasked with considering the feasibility and practicality of merging the Gill-Montague and Pioneer Valley regional school districts.

“I’m going to learn so much from the people of Deerfield. For me, it’s kind of exciting starting over and learning a new town,” Snedeker said. “This will be a different role [than Selectboard]. I’ll be in a supportive role that the Selectboard can utilize to help them run the town.”

Selectboard Chair Tim Hilchey said Snedeker’s official first day as assistant town administrator is Sept. 9, though he will be stopping by Town Hall before that to get to know his new colleagues. Snedeker will earn a $76,859 annual salary in the position.

“We’re really excited that Greg Snedeker has agreed to become Deerfield’s new assistant town administrator,” Hilchey said. “His years of experience with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and the Gill Selectboard will make him an invaluable addition to our administrative team.”

Snedeker joins Deerfield after previous Assistant Town Administrator Chris Nolan-Zeller, who began working in Deerfield in 2022, accepted the assistant town administrator role in Montague earlier this summer.

Like in his previous roles, Snedeker said he gets “satisfaction” from serving folks and he is ready to get to work for Deerfield residents.

“How can I round out the administrative team there and fit into where they need help, so I can be an asset to them,” he said of his mindset heading into the job. “Ultimately, the townspeople decide what their goals are and we all work to serve them.”

Snedeker commended Gill Town Administrator Ray Purington for the “good work he does” and setting an example he can follow in Deerfield.

While he’s going to have to learn all the ins and outs of Deerfield, Snedeker said he has worked with several town officials in the past, such as former Selectboard member Carolyn Shores Ness, current Selectboard member Trevor McDaniel and Town Administrator Kayce Warren.

“I’ve always had a good relationship with the people in Deerfield and I will say, to their credit, I really felt good about the search process and the questions they asked,” Snedeker said. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity … and I’m looking forward to getting to know both the townspeople and the people that make it run.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.