Killington Town Manager Ramsey resigns

Final day will be Aug. 16, almost exactly a year after he began

By Polly Mikula

On Tuesday, July 30, Killington’s Town Manager Michael Ramsey submitted a letter of resignation to the Select Board. The board accepted Ramsey’s resignation after an executive session Friday, Aug. 2 at 5 p.m., announcing the news for the first time publicly. 

Ramsey also requested that the Select Board waive the 60 day notice that’s in his contract and instead proposed his last day be Aug. 16 — almost exactly a year from when he took the reins on Aug. 14, 2023. 

The Select Board, however, did not vote on whether to accept the contractual deviation, Friday. Instead Selectman Chris Karr wanted to speak with town counsel Kevin Brown about the contractual change.

“I think this is very reasonable. You’re asking for something outside of a contract and what we’re saying is let’s just make sure we get our ducks in a row and see if there’s anything we want to ask of you. I don’t want to be the one to break the contract that we wrote, without counsel’s advice,” said Karr.

Karr spoke with Brown, Monday, Aug. 5, later that day after a brief executive session, Karr and Selectman Jim Haff approved Ramsey’s request (the third selectman, Rob Hecker, wasn’t present).

“There are codes and signatures that only you have access to… like to Federal grant money,” explained Jim Haff. “So I think we’re going to go through stuff like that, just to make sure we have access before you leave, that’s all.”

“Yes, I have a list going, too,” Ramsey responded.

“There’ll be things I’ll have to leave on the plate, but I’m hoping to get some of the bigger financial deals with banks and loans in a better place so it’ll be an easier transition for the town,” Ramsey said in an interview, Monday. “I’m sad to leave, but I think it’s the right choice for me and the town at this point,” he continued. “I want to be part of an organization where I can have more autonomy,” he said, adding that he’d like to get back into conservation, which “aligns well with my values.”

Ramsey said he plans to stay in the area. “I love my house in Woodstock and this whole area… I’ll still be around and will continue to enjoy the mountains and the trails now that I’ve been told I’m a competent skier and now a mountain biker, too,” he said.

When pushed to explain his reason for resigning, Ramsey said: “Some relationships had reached a level of conflict that were too hard to come back from … so I saw that it was best to step back… a new person can come in at the ground level and hopefully have success from there. I wish the town all the best.”

When asked to specify, Ramsey declined. 

In a letter Ramsey wrote to employees on Tuesday, he said: “You deserve an open and honest answer for why I’m leaving, but the role calls for me to keep formal announcements like this relatively vanilla… my values, experiences, and beliefs are driving me in a different direction.” 

“While his time was short, we truly appreciate all Michael did for this town,” said Karr. “He came in at an exciting but challenging time and jumped in with both feet…I wish him the best of luck in all the future endeavors he’s going to pursue. I will personally miss him.” 

“We’re looking forward, now,” said Haff. “The town of Killington is strong and Killington Forward projects are on track. There are so many people that run this town and make it — as well as these bigger projects — successful … we’ll take some time to see where things are and what needs to be a priority and go from there.”

Karr agreed, added, “There are lots of great things going on here in town and I think that’s going to have a strong appeal for another town manager… it’s truly an exciting time for us.”

At the meeting Friday, resident Don Martin asked who would cover as town manager after Ramsey’s departure. 

Haff answered, “I’ve already reached out to VLTC, they have given us a few names of former retired town managers who will come in for 4-6 months as interim managers… they can also help us find and hire a new town manager,” he said.