by Joan Eliyesil ·
Friday, August 16, 2024
When former Town Administrator Tim Bragan and former Assistant Town Administrator Marie Sobalvarro both announced they would resign as of June 30, leaving little institutional knowledge of town administrator duties for their successors, the town wondered how that might play out. So far, so good, according to new Town Administrator Dan Nason, whose first day on the job was Aug. 5.
Nason told the Press that the town and Town Hall staff have been “unbelievably welcoming.” He said he’s met with three of the five Select Board members and most of the department heads so far, and he described them as a “strong team of professionals.” He said he realizes it will take time to learn the politics, issues, and project intricacies that are part of his job, but he feels “very confident” that he’ll be successful.
Town Administrator Dan Nason. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Nason’s first task as town administrator was to select an assistant administrator from the two choices the search team of Executive Assistant Julie Doucet and Finance Director Jared Mullane presented him. Nason chose Allyson Mitchell, human resources director in Rutland. Mitchell’s first day on the job was Aug. 12, and she is currently learning the ropes from the part-time employee who filled the human resources gap from Sobalvarro’s departure until her arrival.
Assistant Town Administrator Allyson Mitchell.
When Sobalvarro left, the town also lost its procurement officer. Nason said Mitchell will begin the training necessary for certification as soon as possible, but it could take up to a year. In the meantime, the town cannot issue any requests for proposals. But Nason said there are ways to get around that if necessary, and most of the projects currently underway or coming up soon will require only an invitation for bids, not an RFP.
Bragan, who continues to work in the office adjacent to Nason, stayed on beyond his June 30 resignation date to fill the duties of town administrator until Nason could come on board. He will continue to work until Aug. 30, helping Nason learn the job since the town has no one else with town administration experience. Bragan is currently working on the warrant for the Sept. 28 Town Meeting and told the Press he’ll have it ready by Aug. 27, a few days before his final departure.
Nason said it will likely take a full budget cycle to understand the inner workings of town government, but so far, he has received “overwhelming support” from everyone, and he believes he will be a great fit for the job. He said he’s not worried about Bragan’s imminent departure, and Bragan called out from the office next door, “You can call me anytime.”