Acushnet Select Board Interviews Three Town Administrator Finalists, Votes to Repost Job

ACUSHNET — January 29, 2026 — Acushnet Select Board interviews three town administrator finalists and votes to keep the position posted. The board met Thursday evening to interview Mike Boucher, a lifelong resident and 20-year Finance Committee chairman who retired from chiropractic practice last August; Ian Abreu, a 10-year New Bedford City Councilor who cited oversight of more than $63 million in pandemic relief funds; and Heather Chu, the town's former Council on Aging director, who presented a written 100-day plan and noted she is currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration at Northeastern University. After the interviews, Selectman Kevin Gasper moved to repost the town administrator listing and all other open town positions, arguing that two additional candidates had withdrawn after the original posting lapsed — a motion Selectman Bob Hinckley seconded and Chairman David Warnart did not oppose. The board voted unanimously to repost and agreed to meet with the full search committee on February 10 before making a final decision, with budget season for fiscal year 2027 already underway.