During the meeting, the Board discussed the current Charter language, which implies the necessity of a supermajority vote for the removal of the Town Manager for cause, including performance issues or inappropriate behavior. This involves a multi-step process including a preliminary resolution, the opportunity for the Town Manager to have a public hearing, and a final resolution of removal with specific time constraints. It was clarified that the discussion was not reflective of the current Town Manager’s performance.

The existing Town Manager’s contract contains a one-year notification requirement prior to non-renewal, without stipulating a supermajority vote. A recent legal case highlighted the risk of relying on contract language alone for non-renewal procedures, as the Charter could supersede the contract, necessitating adherence to its detailed removal process even for non-renewal situations.

The proposed language distinguishes between non-renewal and removal for cause. It also asserts that a simple majority vote should be sufficient for non-renewal, aligning with the votes required for hiring and renewing the Town Manager’s contract.

The urgency of addressing these Charter provisions was linked to the impending expiration of the current Town Manager’s contract on June 30th, 2025. The Board was keen to resolve these inconsistencies before the one-year notice period for non-renewal, which would be due by June 30th, 2024.

The Board sought legal counsel from KP Law regarding the proposed changes. While the final language was pending review, the Board agreed to the necessity of town meeting approval to avoid potential confusion and to ensure a clear legal framework for future Town Manager contracts.

In other matters, the Board announced the postponement of the spring egg hunt at Wheaton College Chapel Lawn due to upcoming inclement weather. The event was rescheduled for the following Saturday, March 30th.