Category Archives: Town Manager

Selectboard Candidate Responses: Finance Committee & Town Manager Goals

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March 3 is Town Meeting. With that in mind, I asked the announced Selectboard candidates two questions on the listserv, one about the Finance Committee and the other about Town Manager goals. Here are the questions and their verbatim listserv responses. QUESTION. In April 2025, the Selectboard amended the Finance Committee’s charge, removing its role to provide ‘independent advice’ to the Selectboard on the annual Town budget and eliminating the requirement to provide budget information to voters. The revised charge Continue reading Selectboard Candidate Responses: Finance Committee & Town Manager Goals→

A Simple Ask After Town Meeting: Adopt and Post Annual Goals

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Here’s a governance oversight that the Selectboard and Town Manager should address promptly after Town Meeting. Norwich’s Town Manager employment agreement includes a basic but powerful practice. Every year, in September, the Selectboard and Town Manager are supposed to set written goals and performance objectives (Section VI.A). Those goals guide priorities, provide a clear basis for evaluation, and help the public understand what Town leadership is trying to accomplish. Through a public records request, I learned that there is no Continue reading A Simple Ask After Town Meeting: Adopt and Post Annual Goals→

A Divided Norwich Selectboard Grapples with Budget Oversight Responsibilities

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How closely should the Selectboard examine the budget proposed by the Town Manager? That question dominated a contentious 100-minute discussion at last week’s Norwich Selectboard meeting that ended in a split 3-2 vote to advance a $6.7 million budget to voters at March Town Meeting. The proposed spending plan, which would increase property taxes by 24%, exposed deep divisions about the board’s oversight responsibilities. Selectboard members Arnold, Calloway and Layton voted in favor of the FY 26 budget while Smith Continue reading A Divided Norwich Selectboard Grapples with Budget Oversight Responsibilities→

Norwich Selectboard Scraps Town Manager’s Residency ‘Deadline’

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Without public discussion or explanation, the Norwich Selectboard voted 3-2 to weaken a key provision of Town Manager Brennan Duffy’s contract. The change eliminates the ‘deadline’ for him to move to the Upper Valley, thereby cementing as permanent policy his working remotely two days a week. The vote took place on October 23, although an executive session occurred two weeks prior, in connection with the Town Manager’s annual evaluation. For some, this decision is a reminder of Mr. Duffy’s hiring Continue reading Norwich Selectboard Scraps Town Manager’s Residency ‘Deadline’→

How should Norwich use its opioid settlement funds?

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Comedian and political commentator John Oliver recently covered the opioid crisis and the massive settlements on HBO’s “Last Week Tonight.” He highlighted the challenges states and municipalities face trying to use the money effectively, noting the painfully mixed results. Norwich faces a similar issue on a much, much smaller scale. It received $11,765 this fiscal year. Right now, the Town views the money as miscellaneous revenue, which is tragic (selfish?) considering the individuals and families that suffered as a result Continue reading How should Norwich use its opioid settlement funds?→

Questions remain on the ’emergency’ hiring of a permanent Town Manager

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On September 27, the Norwich Selectboard appointed Brennan Duffy as the permanent Town Manager, after an 18 minute executive session. The vote was 3-2. The sudden hiring of the interim Town Manager for the permanent position came without warning. It was preceded by two emergency meetings to discuss the Interim Town Manager’s contract. Emergency meetings do not require public notice. To date, the only additional information explaining the Selectboard’s decision to forego its planned national search for a Town Manager Continue reading Questions remain on the ’emergency’ hiring of a permanent Town Manager→

From ARPA to Zoning Director: Important matters facing the Selectboard

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As the Norwich Selectboard begins its new term following Town Meeting, here are some matters under consideration by the Board. Overall, addressing these issues will require careful consideration by our officials. \ If I missed something or erred, feel free to comment below or to contact me. * * * Thanks for reading. Contact the Norwich Observer at norwichobserver [at] gmail.com.

Yikes: Another executive session on the Town Manager contract

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Posted this to the listserv earlier today. The Selectboard is holding a special meeting on Monday, October 24 to discuss the Town Manager Contract. This is the third executive session on this topic. The others, according to published agendas, were on October 18 and September 26. In addition, an executive session was on the agenda for September 28. Topic: Employment of a Public Employee. The Selectboard directly hires one employee – the Town Manager. Anyone know what is the issue with TM Continue reading Yikes: Another executive session on the Town Manager contract→

Is the Selectboard being upfront with residents?

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Maybe there a good explanation. Maybe, I am wrong. But it seems the recently published Selectboard Statement presents facts that are at odds with those reported by the Town’s consultant, HR Matters. Disquieting, to my little mind. I highlight two here. Further below, I provide the competing text. First is the suggestion by the Selectboard, in the first line of the Statement, that the Town’s workplace issues are “like everywhere else.” In contrast, HR Happens indicates those issues relate to Continue reading Is the Selectboard being upfront with residents?→

Police Chief Keeling resigns. A few questions come to mind, about policing in Norwich, efforts to retain Town employees and more.

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It’s official. Police Chief Simon Keeling and another full-time officer have left the Norwich Police Department. If you think the Norwich Police Department should be defunded, you are pleased. We are at less than 50% of budgeted staffing levels, by my count. I have questions. No answers. Police Are residents safe? Town Manager Francis says: “With the assistance of county and state agencies Norwich residents will continue to have adequate public safety response.” It would seem that “adequacy” is in Continue reading Police Chief Keeling resigns. A few questions come to mind, about policing in Norwich, efforts to retain Town employees and more.→