Bethel
In Bethel, Town Manager Keith Arlund will retire this spring. Randolph is also searching for replacements for outgoing Town Manager Mel Adams and Police Chief James Krakowiecki.
“I’ve enjoyed my time in Bethel. It’s a great little town,” Arlund said, when reached by phone on Thursday. “It’s been a good three years.”
Arlund, 65, was hired in 2014, replacing longtime Bethel Town Manager Delbert Cloud, and will retire with more than a decade of municipal experience after previously serving the towns of Brandon, Vt., and Ludlow, Vt.
“I love this work. I’ve been doing it for 16 years,” Arlund said. “It’s just time for me to take a break.”
A former Army veteran who attended Lebanon High School, Arlund helped wrap up recovery efforts after Tropical Storm Irene, worked to develop the downtown and plan for future projects.
“I found him to be a very professional, competent person to be manager,” former Selectboard member Bill Hall said on Thursday. “He very clearly understood all of the aspects of the job and had strengths in each of them.”
As town manager, Arlund is responsible for not only managing the town’s budget and employees, but also overseeing its solid waste program, fire department and water and sewer systems.
“It’s been great. We’ve gotten a lot done,” said Abbie Sherman, Bethel’s assistant town manager.
Sherman said Arlund’s law background came in handy on several occasions, and he’s a well-known people person.
“He always had a great story to tell,” she said. “He brought a different perspective that’s going to be missed.”
Selectboard Chairman Carl Russell said the town is working with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns to find a replacement. He said applications are due to the town on Feb. 20, when a 10-member committee will begin narrowing candidates down to between 10 and 15.
The Selectboard will then conduct phone interviews and select three candidates to bring to Bethel for meet-and-greets with town officials and residents. Russell said the Selectboard hopes to appoint someone in April or May.
“I really enjoy working with Keith,” Russell said. “He’s worked with us well.”
In neighboring Randolph, the Selectboard is conducting a search to replace Town Manager Mel Adams and Police Chief James Krakowiecki.
Adams, 69, is finishing his second stint in town government. He previously served in the position from 1999 to 2003, and was hired again in 2012.
“He truly seems to want what is in the best interest of the town,” Selectboard Chairwoman Trini Brassard said. “(Adams) seemed to be able to work with everybody no matter whether it was employees, residents or businesses. He has that ability to engage with them all.”
Adams took a leading role searching for solutions to space problems at the police department, Brassard said. He’s also worked to help rebuild in the wake of the 2015 blaze at the Randolph Village Fire Station.
“He’s been doing quite a bit of effort on that,” Brassard said. “None of it’s easy when you start involving insurance companies and those types of groups. It just adds to the complexity (of the job).”
Krakowiecki, 71, said he’s been involved in police work for the last 46 years and “just felt like it was time (to retire).” He was hired in 2002, and previously served as a police chief in Thetford and was a police officer in New Jersey.
“It was a good run, great town and I was very proud to serve it,” Krakowiecki said. “I really enjoyed myself here.”
Brassard said the town is close to completing a search for Krakowiecki’s replacement. A committee made up of law enforcement officials, a defense attorney and community members conducted interviews and turned over a recommendation to Adams, who is responsible for hiring department heads.
However, the search for a town manager is still in the early stages, Brassard said. The Vermont League of Cities and Towns currently is working to advertise the position, and she hopes the Selectboard will have a candidate chosen within 6 months.
Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.