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Senate advances Bennington charter amendment on town‑manager removal to third reading
Summary
The Senate ordered third reading of H694, approving charter amendments for the town of Bennington that allow the town manager to be removed without cause by majority vote of the select board unless modified by contract or 90 days' written notice; the committee reported local vote totals of 1,231–799.
The Senate considered H694, an act approving amendments to the charter of the Town of Bennington concerning the town manager, and ordered the bill read a third time.
Senator Mley, reporting for the Government Operations Committee, said the local voters approved the charter amendment on March 4, 2025 by a margin of 1,231 in favor and 799 against. Section two of the bill clarifies that the town manager may be removed without cause by a majority of the select board unless expressly modified by contract or by 90 days' written notice.
The Senator from Bennington provided local context, noting the change follows the long tenure and recent death of a longtime town manager and that the amendment is intended to allow new contractual arrangements for incoming managers. The senator described the measure as "a very small charter amendment" that nonetheless "symbolizes actually quite a loss for Bennington." The Senate ordered third reading after the committee report.
What happens next: The bill has been ordered for third reading in the Senate; the floor record did not include a final Senate passage vote during this session.
