Residents press Select Board to place Town Manager on leave amid allegations

Several residents accused Town Manager Eric Duffy of improper financial conduct and asked the Select Board to remove him from active duties while an investigation continues.

Nicholas Seldin told the board: "There is an active criminal investigation that the Vermont State Police is conducting into his financial malfeasance," and urged the board to "put him on administrative leave." Seldin said Duffy "continues to have access to the financial books" and argued that the manager should be treated the same as previous employees placed on leave.

Interim Select Board member Sweeney, speaking as a private citizen, replied that the wording matters: "Stealing could the term stealing could lead anyone to conclude that taxpayer funds related to this or these invoices found a way into mister Duffy's personal accounts," and urged careful choice of terms while acknowledging that "investigations may conclude that taxpayer funds may have been unauthorized disbursements or a misappropriation." Bob Sullivan, on Zoom, argued the movement of money from one municipal pocket to another can still result in personal benefit.

The board did not take formal personnel action during the meeting; the public-comment period closed without a direction to place the manager on leave. Chair Susan Ford said attorney-review of documents is ongoing and that some items related to attorney fees will be reviewed by the town counsel before release. The Select Board moved to the manager's report after citizen comments concluded.