Northfield has paid former town manager Jeff Schulz nearly $65,000 in separation costs following his sudden departure from the position in December.
The town’s five-member selectboard approved a severance agreement with Schulz after a 4-1 vote on Dec. 17, two months after the longtime employee announced his plan to retire or resign in 2026. Schulz then left the position in December while on leave.
Schulz’s last work day was Dec.19, 2025, according to the separation agreement the town shared with VTDigger on Wednesday after a public records request.
The five-page agreement outlines a payment of $54,860 – six months of salary minus deductions – plus a payment equivalent to six months of the town’s health care contributions.
The payments to Schulz totaled $64,960.16, Charlie Morse, the outgoing selectboard chair, stated in an emailed press release. Schulz confirmed he received it.
Steve Mackenzie, the former Barre city manager, came out of retirement to fill Schulz’s spot, starting Jan. 5 as a part-time consultant at $75 per hour.
Meanwhile, the Vermont League of Cities & Towns is managing the search for a full-time town manager.
Posted online, the position advertises a salary range of $120,000 to $140,000 plus benefits. The application window closes March 6. The Washington County town of 5,900 employs 26 full-time workers and 41 part-timers, according to the advertisement.
The selectboard is also seeking five people for a town manager search committee to help interview and select finalists for the position, according to a public notice on the town’s website.
Schulz’s departure is not the only vacancy Northfield is looking to fill. Police chief Pierre Gomez resigned in October. The town has since contracted with Kevin Moulton, the deputy police chief in Montpelier, to fill in as interim police chief, effective Jan. 14, for an hourly rate of $73.54 plus expenses, according to a four-month intermunicipal police agreement.
The town is also looking for a finance director and is in the process of interviewing three candidates, according to Mackenzie.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Steve Mackenzie’s previous job.
