BOSTON - State Senate dean Frederick Berry of Peabody has been named majority leader by new Senate President Robert E. Travaglini.

Berry, who in his 11th term is the state’s longest currently-serving senator, was appointed Jan. 8 by his long-time friend and colleague, whom he supported in his bid for the senate presidency.

“I am really delighted. I’m really thankful the senate president had confidence in me,” he said. Seven years ago, Berry was next in line to become majority leader, but he was not named to the post because he supported Senator Lou Bertonazzi for senate president against Thomas Birmingham, who won.

Berry said his new duties are non-specific but generally mean that Travaglini will “utilize my experience and perspective” as “counsel.”

“I think it’s really important to have the long-term experience because we are in a fiscal famine,” he explained.

Berry and his staff will be moving to a new office next door to Travaglini’s Senate presidential suite. He is eligible to get additional staff in his new role, he said, but has chosen not to because of the fiscal crisis.

He and 38 (of 40) other senators also turned down a $3000 pay raise this year, in a gesture Berry called “more symbolic than anything,” but said is meant to demonstrate senators’ recognition of Massachusetts’ budget crisis.

Berry said he thinks Governor Mitt Romney’s request that cities and towns accept a 5-10 percent cut in local aid this year to help balance the budget will succeed.

“Please understand there is no alternative. We don’t have any money,” he said.

He pointed out that in the past two years, local aid was increased 20 percent, while health, housing, and other services faced cuts greater than that.

He added that he thinks the current economic crisis is “short-term.”