Mayor Sean Reardon is pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly D. Turner as the next Director of the City of Newburyport’s Department of Public Services (DPS) pending City Council approval. Turner has served as Interim Director since December 9, 2025, and brings more than two decades of experience in project management, landscape architecture, and community focused planning to this leadership role.
Turner first joined Mayor Reardon’s administration in 2022 as the City’s Manager of Special Projects, where she has played a central role in advancing many of Newburyport’s most significant initiatives including the Lower Atkinson safety project, the Plummer Ave traffic calming project, and the Ad Hoc Committee on Water Infrastructure Prioritization. Over the past four years, she has been involved in virtually every major project across the city, working closely with departments, residents, and stakeholders to deliver thoughtful, sustainable, and effective outcomes.
“Kim has proven herself to be an exceptional leader, collaborator, and problem solver,” said Mayor Reardon. “Over the past several months as Interim Director, she has brought steady leadership to the Department of Public Services while continuing to move critical projects forward. Her ability to bring people together, navigate complex challenges, and keep the city’s long-term vision in focus makes her the right person to lead DPS into the future.”
Currently, Turner is serving as project manager for the City’s new Recreation and Youth Services Center, a transformative project that received overwhelming support from Newburyport voters in 2025. Her leadership on this project reflects her broader commitment to building community-centered spaces that serve residents for generations to come.
Prior to her work with the City, Turner founded KDTurner Design, where she provided comprehensive landscape architectural services for residential and commercial projects, with a focus on sustainability and environmentally sensitive design. She has also served as a Landscape Architectural Consultant to the Weston Planning Board since 2011, advising on sustainability and site planning for complex developments.
Turner’s professional background includes senior roles with Ryan Associates and Mohr & Seredin Landscape Architects, where she led multidisciplinary teams through all phases of design and construction. She holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Horticulture from the University of Maine, where she graduated magna cum laude. She is a registered landscape architect in both Massachusetts and Maine.
A longtime Newburyport resident, Turner has also demonstrated a deep commitment to community service. She previously served as Chair of the Newburyport Parks Commission and has been actively involved in numerous local initiatives, including the Market Landing Park project, the Friends of the Brown School Playground, and the Public Art Committee.
“Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Turner. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this role and continue working alongside our dedicated DPS team to deliver high-quality services and infrastructure for our residents, especially our water infrastructure. I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place and helping move the Department, and Newburyport forward.”
As Director of Public Services, Turner will oversee the City’s infrastructure, public works, facilities, parks, water and sewer operations, and other essential services. Her appointment reflects the City’s continued commitment to strong leadership, operational excellence, and long-term planning.
Mayor Reardon added, “Kim understands Newburyport, its history, its character, and its future. She cares deeply about this community, and I’m excited to have her leading one of our most important departments.”
