NORWICH — Town Manager Herb Durfee accepted a contract last week that will extend his tenure through August 2021, but it comes with new oversight and additional expectations.
The contract, which was signed Friday, includes a pay increase that nudges his salary over $90,000 and reimbursement for professional conferences.
But the deal also includes a job performance plan the town manager will be judged by over its 15-month term.
The contract compromise brings an end to months of closed-door Selectboard meetings where members first debated whether to keep Durfee or seek a fresh face to lead Norwich.
The five-member board initially declined to offer him a contract extension but reversed itself facing public pressure and an upcoming Town Meeting where Durfee’s employment became a hot button issue.
Durfee and the Selectboard issued statements Friday praising the agreement and acknowledging that there’s still work to be done.
“I understand the board as a whole wants to work with me on some specific areas of improvement before they are willing to offer a longer-term contract,” Durfee said via email. “Their plan is reasonable and, I believe, doable.”
He went on to thank the Selectboard and members of the public who supported him through negotiations.
“I know that input was helpful and is sincerely appreciated,” Durfee said.
Meanwhile, Selectboard Vice Chairman Roger Arnold said the board is committed to providing the town manager with support in the coming months.
“We believe the precision of clarity outlined in the improvement plan will set everyone up for success and serve Norwich well,” he said in an email.
Durfee, whose contract expires April 30, initially asked for a two-year agreement that includes a pay raise, additional week of vacation and allowance to attend the International City/County Management Association’s annual conference in Toronto.
He made $89,780 last year, under his initial three-year contract.
The new contract meets some of Durfee’s requests, including reimbursement for conferences. The agreement also includes a “for-cause” provision, which prevents Durfee’s firing for reasons other than “substantial shortcoming detrimental” to the town’s interests.
But he received four weeks of vacation time, the same allotment as his previous contract. Durfee’s salary also increased to $90,017 due to a cost-of-living increase provided to all town employees.
And the Selectboard proposed the shorter, 15-month term to allow for four quarterly reviews before it decides on a further contract extension. The board’s improvement plan, which Durfee made public, includes calls for him to attend additional finance training, issue monthly reports and present more complete budget information in October.
Durfee last year hired, and later had to fire, a finance director who fell prey to a cyber scam that resulted in the loss of nearly $250,000 in taxpayers’ money. Most of the funds were later recouped.
The document says regular meetings with Arnold will help provide “feedback and support” as some of the goals are implemented.
Durfee’s position came into question in late January when the Selectboard voted, 3-2, against entering talks “regarding a new contract.”
Then-Selectboard Chairman John Pepper, who decided not to for reelection in March, changed his mind a week later and voted, 3-2, in February to reconsider contract talks.
Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.
Correction
Norwich Town Manager Herb Durfee received four weeks of vacation time in a 15-month contract signed last week, the same allotment as his previous contract. Durfee’s salary increased to $90,911 due to a cost-of-living increase provided to all town employees. An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Durfee’s vacation time and reason for his pay raise.