VERSHIRE — The town has hired its first-ever town administrator, a newly created position meant to help coordinate the town’s day-to-day operations.
Dominick “Nick” Caputo joined the staff as town administrator earlier this summer, according to a town news release Thursday.
The town created the position “to help coordinate town operations at the direction of the selectboard, support town staff and officials, and keep projects and administrative work moving forward,” the release said.
Caputo brings more than 20 years of public-sector experience with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, including work with budgets, facilities, contracts, staff supervision, public service and project management, the release said.
A voicemail left for Caputo was not immediately returned Friday.
The town budgeted $55,000 for the town administrator’s salary and benefits, according to the town’s 2025 Annual Report. In a special election this past June, voters approved a general fund budget of $461,000.
The hiring comes during a busy stretch at the town office, as the selectboard, employees and officials work to keep everyday business moving while tackling longer-term projects.
Vershire is not the only Upper Valley town turning to a professional administrator. In Pomfret, the selectboard hired Mariel Luna as that town’s first town administrator in late August.
The administrator hire caps a year of turnover in Vershire’s town offices.
Earlier this year, the selectboard appointed Chelsea Parker as town clerk after longtime clerk Gene Craft resigned the post effective Jan. 27.
“Chelsea is a longtime Vershire resident and brings her familiarity with the town and community to the clerk’s office,” the release said. “Prior to becoming the town clerk, Chelsea served the community as a bank manager for 10 years.”
Craft, who served as Vershire’s clerk for more than 15 years, began a new role as Fairlee town administrator in March.
The town currently has an interim town treasurer, Naomi LaBarr, overseeing financial responsibilities while it works to fill the treasurer position.
“Many residents may remember Naomi from her position as collector of delinquent taxes, and her previous service as town clerk and town treasurer,” the release said.
Current work includes closing out and reporting on FEMA projects tied to 2023 flooding, addressing the town’s information technology needs, and building a new town website to make information easier for residents to find.
“The town appreciates the continued efforts of its employees, elected officials, volunteers, and residents who help keep Vershire running,” the release said.
The town has openings for road crew members and a town treasurer. For more information, contact Caputo at admin@vershirevt.org or 802-685-2227.
