Fraser trustees interview three finalists for town manager, move to executive session to select candidate

The Fraser Board of Trustees on July 8 interviewed three finalists for town manager and moved into an executive session to select a candidate and begin contract negotiations.

The interviews followed a standardized format agreed by the board. Paul Johnson, introduced to the panel at the start of the afternoon session, emphasized his public-works background and local ties: “I’ve been here for three and a half years,” he said, noting previous experience managing public works staffs and working with neighboring municipalities and CDOT. Johnson told trustees he has been involved in wastewater planning and said an eventual plant upgrade could cost in the “range between 34 to $40,000,000,” depending on permit limits. He also highlighted workforce housing projects already underway in town and said he would be available to start after a scheduled July vacation.

A second finalist identified in the record only as Keith described a legal and administrative career that included time as a city attorney and later as a municipal administrator. He told trustees he has handled difficult fiscal transitions — including a prior role in which he helped stabilize an organization after a large budget shortfall — and stressed a management approach that focuses on thorough information-sharing so the board is not surprised by staff recommendations.

The third interviewee, Sarah, identified herself as the town’s assistant manager and highlighted her institutional knowledge of ongoing projects including the St. Louis Landing housing effort and the town’s downtown-development work. She described efforts to diversify the town’s tax base, support childcare and workforce housing, and improve public communication. Sarah said she values staff development and retention and emphasized collaborative regional relationships. She also described short-term childcare and schedule adjustments after disclosing a recent family health matter while saying she remains committed and available to move into the manager role if selected.

After the interviews the board said it would convene an executive session under the Colorado open-meetings law to receive legal advice and discuss personnel matters related to the town manager selection and contract negotiations. Trustees were told the chosen candidate would be informed promptly: a board member said the selected candidate would be notified on Thursday, and the town attorney was scheduled to draft a contract on Monday, July 13, with ratification planned for the July 15 board meeting.

The board’s use of a timed, structured interview format and the follow-up schedule give the trustees a path to a negotiated offer in the coming week. The decision itself and any proposed contract terms are to be discussed privately in executive session as allowed by state statute.