BRADFORD, Vt. — Bradford’s town administrator Danielle Kingsbury has resigned.
Kingsbury submitted her resignation to the Selectboard on March 13 and her last day will be April 6, according to a copy of her resignation letter provided by Selectboard Chairwoman Meroa “Peep” Benjamin.
“This decision has not been made lightly,” Kingsbury wrote in her letter to the Selectboard. “However, following my recent experiences, I have not been happy in my position as Town Administrator, and I believe it is in my best interest to step away from my role at this time.”
In her letter, Kingsbury did not elaborate on what those “recent experiences” were. Attempts to reach Kingsbury for comment were not successful.
In January 2025, the Selectboard elevated the town’s administrative assistant role to that of a town administrator, and Kingsbury has served in the new role since April. Prior to becoming town administrator, Kingsbury had been employed as administrative assistant at the town offices since 2011.
“After 15 years of service, I am proud of the work I have done and the commitment I have given to the department and the community,” Kingsbury wrote. “I appreciate the opportunities I have had during that time and the experience gained while serving alongside others dedicated to the work.”
In the wake of Kingsbury departure, the Selectboard will consider whether or not to return to an administrative assistant model or continue with a town administrator.
“As a town administrator, the Selectboard has the opportunity to designate some of its responsibilities to the administrator,” Benjamin said. “With an administrative assistant, that’s not as flexible.”
For example, as a town administrator, Kingsbury was able approve expenditures up to $10,000 without formal Selectboard approval, Benjamin said. The administrator also serves in a human resources role for town employees who might be facing challenges.
“I am disheartened … Danielle has been very valuable to the town of Bradford, but I also understand the town has been through an awful lot in the last few years and I know it’s been a trying process,” Benjamin said.
She noted that the Selectboard has had multiple people leave and be elected. The town’s longtime treasurer also retired and Bradford has been without a recreation director for more than a year, which has “caused a lot of extra duties and responsibilities in the (town) office,” Benjamin said.
“I can only wish her the best of what she needs and what her family needs,” Benjamin said about Kingsbury.
The Selectboard held a special meeting Monday, during which it discussed Kingsbury’s resignation, Benjamin said in a Tuesday phone interview. She said members of the town’s five-person Selectboard will meet again April 9 to discuss which steps to take and will collectively share Kingsbury’s responsibilities.
“We need to figure out what everyone’s goal is and we haven’t had that opportunity yet,” Benjamin said. “We haven’t decided whether we’re going to look for a new town administrator or whether we’re going to change the direction of the position again. That’s open for discussion.”
Kingsbury was not present at Monday’s special meeting, according to minutes posted to the town’s website.
There is money in the town’s budget to hire a town administrator: At this year’s Town Meeting, voters approved a $1.69 million operating budget, which includes $81,411 for a town administrator salary, according to the 2026 town report.