By Tiffany Williams –
On Friday, the City of Worcester, Massachusetts, officially announced the retirement of City Solicitor Michael E. Traynor, effective January 10, 2025. Traynor has been a pivotal figure in the city’s legal landscape and a dedicated public servant for 37 years.
Joining the City of Worcester in January 1988 as an Assistant City Solicitor, Traynor quickly demonstrated his legal acumen and commitment to public service. His dedication and expertise led to a promotion to Deputy City Solicitor in 1994. In February 2014, he undertook the additional role of Acting Chief Development Officer while still serving as Deputy City Solicitor. Later that same year, he was appointed the permanent Chief Development Officer by then-City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr., solidifying his influence in the city’s developmental initiatives.
Traynor is perhaps best known for his significant role in negotiating the relocation of the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox to Worcester in 2021, a move that marked a transformative moment for the city. This achievement, coupled with the successful construction of Polar Park in the city’s Canal District, stands as a highlight of his extensive career.
“I want to congratulate Mike on an impressive and impactful tenure as a public servant to the City of Worcester,” said Batista. “His dedication to this community is unmatched and his legacy will remain through the numerous policies and economic development projects he led, of which the city stands to benefit for years to come.”
Reflecting on his career, Traynor expressed immense pride in his lengthy service to Worcester. “I am incredibly grateful and proud to have worked 37 years in service to the City of Worcester,” he stated. “I have countless memories of the city employees I have worked with, the lawyers I encountered on the other side of the table, and projects I have worked on over the years. A municipal lawyer is a generalist wrapped in a specialty practice, and it has been immensely satisfying to navigate this field of law to support and further the different administrations’ visions to make Worcester a better place. While I have predominately been a city attorney, it was my tenure as Chief Development Officer that produced the highlight of my career: being a part of the team that brought the WooSox to Worcester and the construction of Polar Park.”
In addition to his work with the City of Worcester, Traynor represents the city on the board of directors for the Upper Blackstone Clean Water and is also a member of the board for the Worcester Credit Union. He is an alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Suffolk University Law School.
In a statement released Friday City Manager Eric Batista’s office said that as the administration prepares for Traynor’s departure, it is actively exploring options to fill the role of City Solicitor and will communicate its plans to the public before his retirement.