Transitioning to a new city manager

By CHARLENE LOVETT
Mayoral Notes
On Wednesday, July 24, the Claremont City Council voted unanimously to extend Mr. Edward Morris a conditional offer of employment as the next city manager. It was the culmination of a process that began earlier in the year, and marks the start of the next phase as we transition to a new city manager. On the same evening, the Council also voted unanimously to extend Interim City Manager John MacLean’s contract to Oct. 31, ensuring a seamless transition and a continuation of the progress achieved in 2019.

Throughout the city manager search, Claremont has been fortunate to have the benefit of Mr. MacLean’s expertise as a seasoned manager. He brought to the Council a budget that had no impact on the tax rate, but invested in downtown revitalization efforts and infrastructure improvements. He successfully negotiated union contracts, and worked with staff to find solutions to complex property issues. His team management style created a collaborative work environment with both the staff and the City Council.

All of this has contributed to the City experiencing positive growth indicators and investment. This spring, Claremont led Sullivan County in real estate transfers as people in the Upper Valley and beyond found property in Claremont to be desirable. Local businesses moved forward with expansion and new businesses opened their doors. Road, sidewalk, water and sewer construction projects are either completed or underway throughout the city. Long deferred capital improvement projects are being addressed.

Building upon this momentum will be important as we transition. Knowing that Mr. MacLean will be available through Oct. 31, provides the continuity needed to continue this trajectory as the Council focuses on the next phase. Now that it has extended a conditional offer of employment, it now has to coordinate all of the administration actions that must take place prior to Mr. Morris officially taking the position.

Mr. Morris is currently the town administrator of Weathersfield, Vermont. Given the proximity to Claremont, it is anticipated that he will be available to start as city manager in the near future. We look forward to welcoming him and his family to our community.

Charlene Lovett is the Mayor of Claremont and welcomes your feedback. Please email questions, comments or concerns to her at [email protected].