Category Archives: Town Manager

What role for residents in Town Manager search?

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At its meeting on September 8, the Selectboard heard a presentation from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) on how it plans to conduct the search for a new Town Manager. Not yet publicly discussed by the Selectboard is the role the community will play in the process. That may occur at the Board meeting on September 22. The Selectboard should proactively involve the public. The Town Manager is often the sole point of contact between members of Continue reading What role for residents in Town Manager search?→

Norwich Town Manager won’t get new contract

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The Selectboard will not pursue another employment agreement with Town Manager Herb Durfee. As a result, Mr. Durfee’s role as the Town Manager for Norwich will end at the end of August, when his current contract expires. The decision was made at the Selectboard meeting last night, July 28. The video of that meeting is here, with the discussion beginning at about 1:49:25. (Thanks DW.) The vote was unanimous with Mary Layton abstaining. After the vote, Selectboard Chair Roger Arnold Continue reading Norwich Town Manager won’t get new contract→

Should the Selectboard be more forthcoming about the renewal of the Town Manager’s contract?

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Other than the Selectboard, the Town Manager is the most powerful position in Norwich town government. By statute, the manager has “general supervision of the affairs of the town.” The employment agreement with Town Manager Herb Durfee expires in about 40 days. Yet, with so little time left, the Selectboard won’t tell the public what its plans are. Why? Would it put the Town in an adverse position for the Selectboard to tell the public that it is in the Continue reading Should the Selectboard be more forthcoming about the renewal of the Town Manager’s contract?→

Selectboard silent on renewing Town Manager’s contract

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The employment agreement between the Town of Norwich and Town Manager Herb Durfee expires at the end of August. What are the Selectboard’s plans? Unknown. I made two attempts to contact Selectboard Chair Roger Arnold by email on this topic on June 7 and on June 10. No response. Here is what I asked in part: I understand Herb’s employment agreement with the Town expires at the end of August. Hoping you might share something about the process going forward. Continue reading Selectboard silent on renewing Town Manager’s contract→

Selectboard Changes Course, Will Discuss Contract Extension With Town Manager

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At a meeting marked by emotion and tension, the Selectboard changed course and decided to enter into discussions with the Town Manager about extending his contract. The 3-2 vote came at the end of a special meeting held Monday. Selectboard Chair John Pepper changed his vote from the January 24 meeting to one of support. Not clear is whether discussion about an extension will result in a new contract. Along with Mr. Pepper, Roger Arnold and Mary Layton voted in Continue reading Selectboard Changes Course, Will Discuss Contract Extension With Town Manager→

Chart sheds light on Selectboard concerns regarding Town Manager’s job performance

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A chart prepared by the Town Manager Herb Durfee sheds light on Selectboard concerns regarding his job performance. By a 3-2 vote, in January, the Selectboard decided not to negotiate an extension to his contract that expires at the end of April. However, the Selectboard will meet Monday to further discuss that action. Town Manager Durfee will make a public presentation. As a personnel and contract matter, discussions occurred in executive session. No public discussion occurred prior to the 3-2 Continue reading Chart sheds light on Selectboard concerns regarding Town Manager’s job performance→

Selectboard to meet Monday to further discuss the Town Manager Durfee’s contract

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On Monday, February 10, the Selectboard will hold a special meeting to further discuss extending the current Town Manager’s contract. In January, by a 3-2 vote, the Selectboard decided not to renew the contract of Town Manager Herb Durfee, when it expires in April. Consequently, the Board would need to hire an interim Town Manager and begin the search for a new Town Manager. Mr. Durfee wishes to remain as Town Manager of Norwich. He will make a presentation to Continue reading Selectboard to meet Monday to further discuss the Town Manager Durfee’s contract→

Selectboard opts to not extend Town Manager’s contract

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Herb Durfee’s tenure as Norwich Town Manager may be drawing to a close. By a 2-3 vote at Friday’s special Selectboard meeting, a motion to discuss extending his contract failed. The Town Manager’s contract expires at the end of April. However, under that agreement, the deadline for the Town to offer Mr. Durfee a new contract is January 30. The Selectboard met several times in executive session since December 11 to discuss the topic. The draft meeting minutes released Sunday Continue reading Selectboard opts to not extend Town Manager’s contract→