Richmond council hires longtime local volunteer Robin Woodmancy as recreation director

The Richmond Town Council voted to hire Robin Woodmancy as the town’s recreation director after hearing the interim administrator’s recommendation and a brief discussion about local connections.

The interim administrator told the council the job was advertised and multiple candidates interviewed, and recommended Woodmancy, who has “a very long history with the town” as a volunteer and former chair of the recreation commission. Councilors who had worked with her described her as energetic and experienced running community events and volunteer coordination.

Councilor Dinsmore said she was qualified but raised concerns about Woodmancy’s “existing professional and personal relationship that she has with people in the town and the town staff,” saying it could create an appearance problem. Other councilors responded that in a small town such ties are common and can be an asset: “I trust that her qualifications stood above and beyond the others,” one said.

A motion to approve the hire passed on a roll call vote with Councilor Dinsmore voting No and four councilors voting Yes; the council congratulated Woodmancy after the outcome.

Woodmancy, who identified herself as living in Richmond during public comments, also used the meeting to remind residents about an upcoming tree lighting festival she is organizing.

The council did not specify a start date in its meeting comments; the hire resulted from a competitive process the interim administrator said included multiple interviews and a search committee review.