Town Manager

V.S.A. tit. 24 Appendix, ch. 127, subch. 7

in effect

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 127, § 701 Appointed by Selectboard

701. Appointed by Selectboard The Selectboard shall appoint a Town Manager for an indefinite term, and upon such conditions as they may determine.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 127, § 702 Manager nonpartisan

702. Manager nonpartisan (a) The Manager shall be chosen solely on the basis of his or her executive, administrative, and professional qualifications. (b) The Manager shall not take part in the organization or direction of a political party, serve as a member of a party committee, nor be a candidate for election to any public office. (c) The Manager shall be a resident of the Town of Middlebury, once he or she has been appointed to office. The Selectboard may grant permission for the Manager to live outside the Town should there be sufficient reason.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 127, § 703 Oath and bond

703. Oath and bond Before entering upon his or her duties, the Manager shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his or her duties by the Town Clerk and shall give a bond to the Town in such amount and with such sureties as the Selectboard may require.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 127, § 704 Duties of Manager

704. Duties of Manager (a) The Manager shall be the chief executive officer of the Town and shall carry out the policies established by the Selectboard, to whom the Manager shall be responsible. (b) The Manager shall attend all meetings of the Selectboard, except when his or her compensation or removal is being considered or the Selectboard allows his or her absence. The Manager shall keep the Selectboard informed of the financial condition and future needs of the Town and shall make such other reports as may be required by law, requested by the Selectboard, or deemed by him or her to be advisable. (c) The Manager has the right to attend all meetings of standing committees, boards, and agencies appointed by the Selectboard. (d) The Manager shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees, but may not vote. (e) The Manager shall perform all other duties prescribed by this charter, required by laws of the State, or resolution of the Selectboard. (f) The Manager shall prepare an annual budget, submit it to the Selectboard, and be responsible for its administration after adoption. (g) The Manager shall compile for general distribution at the end of each fiscal year a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the Town for the year. (h) The Manager shall furnish a monthly financial statement to the Selectboard, with the assistance and cooperation of the Town Treasurer, who shall furnish whatever financial data are necessary to enable the Town Manager to fulfill his or her budgetary and financial responsibilities. (i) The Manager shall be responsible for the operation of all departments. (j) The Manager shall be the general purchasing agent for the whole Town. (k) The Manager shall be responsible for the administration of a system of accounts. (l) The Manager shall have authority to appoint, fix the salary of, suspend, and remove all employees of the Town appointed by him or her, subject to the provisions of this charter and any personnel regulations as approved by the Selectboard. He or she shall obtain approval from the Selectboard before appointing, removing, or suspending the head of any department. (m) The Manager may, when advisable or proper, and with the approval of the Selectboard, delegate to subordinate officers and employees of the Town, any duties conferred upon him or her. (n) The Manager, with the department heads, shall prepare annually for the Selectboard a five-year capital improvement plan.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 127, § 705 Compensation

705. Compensation The Manager shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the Selectboard.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 127, § 706 Removal

706. Removal The Selectboard may remove the Town Manager by a majority vote of its total membership. At least 30 days before such removal shall become effective, the Selectboard shall by a majority vote of its members adopt a preliminary resolution stating the reason for his or her removal. The Manager may reply in writing and may request a public hearing that shall be held not earlier than 20 days nor later than 30 days after the filing of such request. After such public hearing, if one be requested, and after full consideration, the Board by a majority vote of its members may adopt a final resolution of removal. By the preliminary resolution, the Board may suspend the Manager from duty, but the regular salary of the Manager shall continue to be paid to him or her during the period of suspension. The Manager’s pay will continue up to 30 days and will not be contingent upon whether or not a public hearing is held or when it is held. The Selectboard may appoint a temporary Manager to serve at the pleasure of the Board, for not more than 90 days. The temporary Manager shall have none of the powers of appointment. He or she shall have the power to suspend, but not to remove employees.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 127, § 707 Absence

707. Absence To perform the Manager’s duties in his or her temporary absence or disability, the Manager may, with the consent of the Board, designate by letter filed with the Town Clerk a qualified person. If the Manager fails to make such designation, the Selectboard may appoint a person to perform the duties of the Manager until he or she shall return or his or her disability shall cease.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/24APPENDIX/127Fetched: 10/21/2026