Richmond council hires longtime volunteer Robin Woodmancy as recreation director

The Richmond Town Council voted to hire Robin Woodmancy as the town’s recreation director after the council considered the interim administrator’s recommendation and a motion to approve her appointment. The roll call recorded Councilor Dinsmore voting No; other roll-call responses were recorded as Yes and the motion carried.

Woodmancy has an extensive record of volunteer work in Richmond, including service on the recreation commission and leadership with the elementary school parent-teacher organization. A councilor who had served on the recreation commission said Woodmancy had “brought in new events, new fundraising, spearheading events and activities, coordinating volunteers,” and called those skills “what this position is gonna require.”

Council discussion acknowledged both the candidate’s experience and the potential optics of hiring a long-standing local volunteer. Councilor Dinsmore said she was concerned about the candidate’s existing professional and personal relationships in town and that “it just doesn’t look good to the town” for someone so closely connected to be hired. Council president responded that the search included interviews and that the process had reviewed conflicts of interest and potential recusals.

The council followed with a roll-call vote. After the vote members congratulated Woodmancy, who was present at the meeting. The hiring takes effect according to the town’s personnel process and any formal personnel paperwork to be completed by staff.

Woodmancy used her public remarks to invite residents to the town’s upcoming tree-lighting festival and community events this week.