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Camden residents urge select board to reconsider non-renewal of Town Manager Audra Koehler
Summary
Dozens of residents told the select board they were blindsided by the decision not to renew Town Manager Audra Koehlers contract, urging more transparency, a probationary option and warning about the impact on grant administration and town operations.
Dozens of Camden residents used the meetings public-comment period to urge the select board to reconsider or delay its decision not to renew Town Manager Audra Koehlers contract, saying the board acted without public input and that the move threatens the towns ability to manage grants and ongoing projects.
Resident Jeff Scott, who said he lives on Ames Terrace, told the board the decision "railroaded" the community and recommended a one-year probationary renewal so the select board could share its concerns publicly and give residents time to weigh in. "Renew Audra's contract for a year. You could consider it a probationary year," Scott said, urging transparency about performance issues.
Why it matters: Audra Koehler was repeatedly praised by speakers for grant-writing and operational experience needed to oversee large projects. Tony Grassi told the board the town faces substantial grant opportunities and obligations, saying the town is "sitting on a roughly $6,000,000 to implement that project" and warning the town needs experienced administration to apply for and manage NOAA and other grants.
Several speakers described a pattern of surprise and disappointment at how the memorandum of agreement was shared. An online participant identified as Ben said the agreement was signed June 26 and was not disclosed publicly until it was included in the select-board packet days later, heightening concerns about timing and communication.
Former and current municipal officials also spoke. Rick Bates, identifying himself as a former town manager, praised Koehlers knowledge and said the board should work with her rather than end her contract now. Deb Chapman and others who had worked with Koehler described her as "professional," "resourceful" and capable of "looking from the balcony" to plan long-term work.
Board handling, and what the public asked for: Speakers repeatedly asked the board to remove the personnel matter from the consent agenda so it could be discussed openly or to adopt a time-limited renewal that includes publicly stated performance expectations. Anita Bridal Scott said putting the issue in the public-comment portion rather than the agenda meant the board did not have to respond and that was "concerning." Several residents urged an advisory ballot question in the fall to let voters voice their opinion.
What the board did: The select board did not take final public-action on the town-manager contract during this meeting; the memorandum of employment appeared on the consent agenda but the meeting moved on to subsequent action items and the board did not hold a separate public discussion or final vote on the personnel question at this session.
Where it goes next: Residents and speakers said they expect the select board to address related matters at a forthcoming meeting; several asked for greater transparency around any personnel findings. The board set other business for future agendas, and residents said they plan to return to follow that process.
