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Bennington Select Board chair says charter edit clarifies authority to modify town manager contracts
Summary
Tom Haley, chair of Bennington's Select Board, told the committee H.694 clarifies a right the board already has to modify or delegate oversight of the town manager's contract after the unexpected death of a longtime manager; members asked some follow-up questions about limits and intent.
Tom Haley, chair of the Bennington Select Board, told the House Government Operations & Military Affairs committee that H.694 is intended to clarify existing charter authority to modify town manager contracts or delegate that responsibility when circumstances make it necessary.
"This amendment, really, I think, is just to clarify a right that according to our counsel we already have," Haley said, citing the town's need for clarity after the unexpected death of longtime Town Manager Stu Hurd and the subsequent transition when Assistant Town Manager Dan Monks stepped into the role and sought a multi-year contract.
Haley told committee members that counsel advised that the charter could be clarified to make explicit what the Select Board could already do — change contract terms or delegate review to another board or body when appropriate. He said delegation would be situational rather than routine and that the board would not lightly disband the existing Community Policing Advisory Review Board.
Committee members who had heard Chief Vietkette's earlier testimony raised similar concerns about vague language in the charter proposals that could be interpreted to permit review of personnel records or other sensitive documents. Haley responded that any committee or body charged with review would focus on evidence relevant to the investigation and that the board screens prospective members to try to avoid appointing individuals with personal agendas.
No formal action on H.694 was taken in this session. The committee paused for a break and said it would continue consideration and follow up as necessary.
