Editor’s Note: This story by Patrick Adrian first appeared in the Valley News on Dec. 15.
NORWICH — The Selectboard announced the hiring of former Rutland economic development leader Brennan Duffy as Norwich’s new interim town manager on Wednesday.
Duffy, who officially started his new position last Friday, previously served as executive director of the Rutland Redevelopment Authority, a chartered municipal corporation that oversees the city’s economic development initiatives.
While this is his first employment as a town manager, Duffy said in an interview Wednesday that he’s confident he’s up to the task in Norwich.
“I would certainly like to bring some of my experience and expertise in economic and community development to town (in the future),” Duffy said.
Duffy’s interim contract with the town runs “for the next seven months,” according to town officials. The Selectboard in announcing Duffy’s hiring, also touted his track record as preparing him for the job.
“Mr. Duffy comes to Norwich with a breadth of experience in Vermont municipal and state government,” the Selectboard said in a news release. “His impressive record of completed projects include grant-funded community planning initiatives. Brennan’s experience, drive and focus will serve our community well as we meet the challenges ahead.”
Duffy served 11 years as the head of the Rutland Redevelopment Authority until tendering his resignation on Oct. 13.
According to an Oct. 19 story in The Mountain Times, Duffy resigned amid mounting criticism from newer members of the Rutland Board of Aldermen, who expressed dissatisfaction with the redevelopment authority’s effectiveness and Duffy’s leadership, alleging the lack of a strategic and proactive approach.
Ed Clark, chairman of the Rutland Redevelopment Authority’s Board of Commissioners, attributed the conflict to the nature of politics, as opposed to a reflection on Duffy.
“I think he will do a great job in Norwich,” Clark said in an interview. “Brennan is very knowledgeable about economic development and understands how to interact with state government programs. He is process-driven, very thorough and organized.”
Duffy said the newer aldermen in Rutland simply “had a different vision” for the city’s economic development direction than the redevelopment authority.
“Eleven years (of service) in a politicized position like that is a long time,” Duffy added. “I am very excited to be in Norwich and to start this new position.”
The Selectboard is currently drafting a request for proposal (RFP) to hire a municipal recruitment firm to lead the search for a permanent town manager. Earlier this month board members said they would like to consider national recruitment firms as well as regional firms, such as the Vermont League of Cities and Towns in Montpelier or Municipal Resources Inc. in Plymouth, N.H.
Prior to the hire of Duffy, Norwich went six weeks without an active town manager. Rod Francis, the former town manager, served his last day on Nov. 7 following a separation agreement with the Selectboard.
In addition to the exit of Francis, the town has faces persistent staff shortages and conflict between residents and officials have kept the Selectboard occupied. Last month, another key town official, Planning and Zoning Coordinator Aaron DeNamur, resigned, citing conflict between town officials and residents as a reason for growing discontent and hiring difficulties among municipal staff.
