Town managers tell Senate committee turnover and recruitment gaps threaten small-town capacity

Eric Wells, town manager of Williston and president of the Vermont Town & City Management Association (VTCMA), told the Senate Committee on Government Operations on Feb. 7 that Vermont municipalities are seeing higher turnover among town managers and fewer applicants for open positions.

"We work to increase the knowledge and ability of local government managers and to promote increased professional management of municipalities," Wells said, describing VTCMA as a professional organization founded in 1977 with about 70 active members that provides networking, conferences and mentoring.

Committee members said the trend affects smaller towns' ability to secure grants and provide services and discussed ways to promote the profession and broaden recruitment.

Wells described VTCMA's role as a narrowly focused professional development group for…