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Residents urge council to stop paying suspended town manager, question interim hire
Summary
Multiple residents used the public-comment period to criticize council decisions to continue paying a suspended town manager and to extend the interim manager's contract without broader vetting; speakers called for a permanent, fully vetted hire and fiscal restraint.
During public comment the council heard pointed criticism from several residents about the town’s handling of the suspended town manager’s pay and the process used to hire the interim manager.
Joshua Shields (speaker 12) said he has “heard nothing” from council that pay to a suspended town manager has been withheld and urged the council to end the practice. He estimated costs and said the town could have saved “over $300,000” by hiring differently. Paul McCrae (speaker 13) urged council to vote no on extending the interim town manager and argued the assistant town manager could perform the duties; Beth Goldsmith (speaker 14) characterized the prior interim hire as unethical because no other candidates were interviewed.
An emailed comment read into the record echoed these concerns and urged voters to scrutinize candidates and campaign finance records. Council members acknowledged the public criticism and moved to bring a contracted staffing firm to present a vetted candidate for the council to interview on July 14. Several council members said they wanted references from other municipalities that used the firm and a clear transition timeline before approving a longer appointment.
