After weeks without an explanation of the town’s recent staffing changes, a group of Bennington residents managed to break the ice with town officials during a Select Board meeting Tuesday night. However, Select Board members were unable to answer.
Published: 5/10/2021 4:33:20 PM
One month after the Bennington Select Board abruptly dismissed Town Administrator Kristie LaPlante, residents are still seeking further explanation from the board regarding the decision.
“The town is moving in a new direction,” Select Board Chair Jim Cleary said, when the Ledger-Transcript asked for a reason for the dismissal at a Select Board meeting on April 29. Cleary repeated the sentiment when resident Mike Munhall asked him to elaborate at the Board’s next meeting on May 4. “Anything you say can be misconstrued – we’re going in a different direction,” Cleary said. The Board said nothing else on the matter.
Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Published: 4/28/2021 4:31:53 PM
Bennington is facing significant municipal staff turnover after the Select Board opted to replace Town Administrator Kristie LaPlante and Road Agent Hazen Fisk earlier this month. Additionally, Deputy Town Administrator and Tax Collector Dee French is resigning as of May 31, and the Select Board is also exploring a merged police department after Police Chief Bret Sullivan announced his intent to retire.
“The town is moving in a new direction,” Select Board Chair James Cleary said of the two dismissals when asked about them at a Select Board meeting Tuesday night. He did not provide further reason for either dismissal. The town has already replaced the Road Agent by promoting an existing Highway Department employee, Cleary said, and promoted Administrative Assistant Deb Davidson to interim Town Administrator. A new Assistant Town Administrator starts in June, he said. “Things are moving along very well,” he said.