Winchester to Reopen Town Manager Search

On Thursday, April 7, members of the offered the position of

Twogood, who had been the town’s assistant town manager, accepted the job, but on Monday night the board said Twogood decided to turn down the position.

According to a letter he sent to the board, Twogood said he will decline the job offer based on public perception that his selection was secretive.

"Concerns were expressed at last Thursday's Board of Selectmen meeting regarding the process and the fact these discussions were held in executive session, portraying a less than positive image as to what has transpired," Twogood wrote. "Additional comments have surfaced in online news publications since Thursday.

"Having been part of this process since last fall, I disagree with this representation,” Twogood continued. "The Board of Selectmen has acted appropriately and in the town's best interest through this difficult time. Many of these discussions are properly handled in executive sessions since they involve personnel matters. It is unfortunate these these recent comments have tainted a well-defined process, laid out by the Board of Selectmen."

The Board of Selectmen will reopen the Town Manager search.

“It was always our interest to act in the best interest of the town,” said Forrest Fontana, chair of the Board of Selectmen.

Roger Berman, vice-chair of the board, said that “digital heckling” is partly to blame for this situation.

“It does a disservice to the public servants in Winchester,” Berman said. “We’re not paid for this. We need a call for civility. Some of the comments this past week have been over the top and out of line.”

According to the former chair of the board, Thomas Howley, the board will now move forward with a full town manager’s search.

“I was chair for much of this critical period, and I’d be happy to take responsibility,” Howley said. “I regret the outcome, but we always had a Plan B. Now we need to look for a new town manager.”

Selectmen Jim Johnson said that residents didn’t give this appointment a chance to succeed.

“It’s very disappointing,” Johnson said. “We’ve worked hard to be transparent and open. The quality of life in Winchester has increased over the years. Twogood is a professional person who’s well-respected by his peers. I’m upset that people took a few minutes and made a judgment. It’s disappointing because I know we had the right person.”

In the letter Twogood sent to the board, he wrote about the events that took place after former Town Manager The letter said that the board decided to go with the interim team – Twogood and Acting Town Manager and Town Clerk, Mary Ellen Lannon – to “manage these difficult times.”

Twogood said he and Lannon helped resolve the FY ’11 unbalanced budget; the over appropriation of free cash at spring Town Meeting; the collective bargaining agreements; and the unfair labor practices and grievances filed against the town.  

“I thank the Board of Selectmen that voted to extend me this opportunity and their confidence in my ability to fulfill the duties of Town Manager,” Twogood wrote. “I look forward to working with the Board of Selectmen, other elected officials, volunteers and citizens in ensuring that Winchester remains as an excellent place to live.”