![](<p>Norwich. Photo by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Norwich-VT-Winter-Panorama.jpg"> HopsonRoad via Wikimedia</a> (CC-BY-SA-3.0)</p>)
This story by Patrick Adrian first appeared in the Valley News on Oct. 27.
NORWICH — The town will pay a six-month severance package to outgoing Town Manager Rod Francis as a condition of his separation agreement with the Selectboard, which announced on Monday that Francis would step down as chief administrator following “unusual difficulties” in municipal operations.
According to the agreement, Francis’ last day as town manager will be Nov. 7, though he could continue to assist the town during its leadership transition until February 2023.
“The Selectboard thanks Rod for his commitment and hard work on behalf of the town, and Rod appreciates the support offered by the board and their recognition of his service to the community,” the parties said in a joint statement on Monday.
Francis took over as the interim manager in August 2021 to replace Herb Durfee, whose contract was not renewed by the Selectboard. The board hired Francis as the permanent manager in February.
During his tenure, Francis faced challenges ranging from a loss of employees to criticism about management style. Public works and the police department were particularly impacted by vacancies.
According to a town employee summary report obtained by the Valley News, about 15 of the town’s year-round employees left their positions between August 2021 and August 2022. This includes former Norwich Police Chief Simon Keeling, who resigned in June after just six months. Keeling’s resignation came shortly after he expressed his frustrations to Francis about not having funding to acquire body cameras and the ongoing difficulties with hiring officers.
The joint statement by Francis and the board characterized the level of public criticism against Francis as “unwarranted.”
“The facts are that in each instance people left of their own accord,” Francis told the Valley News in an interview. “No one was asked to leave. … No one was fired in my time as town manager.”
While Norwich’s employee turnover may be higher than some similar towns, municipalities across the country have encountered workforce challenges, Francis noted. The competitive labor market has also factored into some town employees choosing similar jobs in other towns.
In April, the Selectboard hired HR Happens, a Vermont consulting firm, and tasked it with recommending ways to resolve employee complaints. According to an email from Mark Heyman, owner of HR Happens, the change in leadership under Francis, including a more “‘hands on’ approach” led to “pushback” from department heads, as well as staff.
The Selectboard announced in September that “investigators determined that no violations of law or town policies had occurred.”
The town is making progress filling key vacancies, Francis said this week.
Earlier this month, the town announced the hiring of a new police chief: Wade Cochran, a former detective sergeant with the Montpelier Police Department. Cochran began in Norwich on Tuesday.
Francis said that long-standing deficiencies in Norwich’s governing structure, particularly in regard to clear policies and procedures to delineate roles of officials, make it difficult for a town manager to perform duties effectively. He cited as an example the broad authority given to the town’s treasurer.
Under the separation agreement, Francis will receive a severance totaling $51,228.60, the equivalent of six months of current wages and benefits. This amount will be paid in two installments, including a payment of $26,239.04 in November and a second payment of $24,989.57 in January 2023. The agreement also has the town paying for six months of premium health care payments, including dental and vision coverage.
Missing out on the latest scoop? Sign up for Final Reading for a rundown on the day's news in the Legislature.
"Exit" - Google News
October 28, 2022 at 06:38PM
https://ift.tt/i6FUdog
Details emerge on Norwich town manager’s exit - vtdigger.org
"Exit" - Google News
https://ift.tt/M32EgzP
https://ift.tt/cqMmkGw
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Details emerge on Norwich town manager’s exit - vtdigger.org"
Post a Comment