Wayne Select Board accepts Shannon McDonald as town manager; board debates contract terms

The Town of Wayne Select Board voted unanimously April 15 to accept Shannon McDonald as Wayne’s new town manager after an executive session held under 1 MRSA §4056‑A. The board also reviewed a draft two‑year employment contract and agreed to send the document to the town’s attorney for legal review before finalizing terms.

The contract under discussion calls for a fixed two‑year term that begins before the end of the current fiscal year and requires renegotiation at the end of the term; without a new contract, employment would end at contract expiration. The draft incorporates the manager’s statutory duties and references the town manager job description. Board members discussed adding section C.1 of the job description (expectations) to the contract so those expectations are expressly referenced.

Board members debated the work schedule language. The draft states the town office is open four days a week (32 hours) and that the manager “shall be flexible to normally encompass these town office business hours and also work during times the town office is not open for business, including evenings and or weekend hours,” with no additional pay for hours worked outside normal hours because the manager is salaried/exempt. Several members said the job is effectively full time and discussed whether to reflect a 40‑hour expectation; the board did not change the salaried‑exempt wording but recorded the concern on the record.

The board discussed two alternatives for annual salary adjustments in the contract. Option A would set a fixed salary for the two‑year term with a cost‑of‑living adjustment only in the second year and no in‑term merit increases. Option B would allow annual adjustments tied to the consumer price index and other factors such as exemplary performance, improved productivity or changes in duties. Several members voiced preference for option B to preserve flexibility.

The draft requires the board and the manager to meet within 60 days of the contract start to establish a mutually agreed list of goals and objectives. It also schedules executive‑session performance reviews at the first board meeting in December and the first meeting in June during the contract term. The draft includes standard "for cause" termination procedures that require the select board to file a written preliminary resolution, provide notice to the manager, allow a written reply and permit a public hearing — a process board members said mirrors the protections in the referenced management statute. The draft allows the manager to resign with 60 days’ written notice and says that failing to provide notice may forfeit accrued vacation payout.

Board members agreed to forward the draft and the attached job description to the town lawyer for review and to return with recommended edits. Board members also agreed that, if the contract is finalized, the town and the manager should follow the contract’s schedule for negotiating a follow‑on contract around March 1 with a June 1 deadline noted in the draft.

Shannon McDonald, the incoming manager, said, “Thank you very much. I'm really looking forward to this opportunity. I think Wayne is such a wonderful community.” The board said it will complete technical edits and obtain legal advice before a final vote to execute the contract.

Votes at this meeting included approval of entering and exiting executive session under 1 MRSA §4056‑A and the formal acceptance of Shannon McDonald as town manager.