Winooski aims to have new city manager by September

Jessie Baker, former city manager of Winooski. The city is searching for Baker's replacement. File photo

Winooski’s search for a permanent City Manager is expected to come to an end this September.

Following Jessie Baker’s departure from the position, a committee has been searching for new City Manager and will soon finish interviewing the first- round of candidates. The 9-member City Manager Search Committee, which includes Mayor Kristine Lott and Interim Co-City Manager Phoebe Townsend, will recommend finalists and discuss interview questions during an executive session at the Aug. 2 city council meeting.

The committee compiled a list of criteria for potential candidates, which includes prior city service in community correspondence, economic and housing development, and human resources planning as well as a commitment to racial equity and sustainability.

Deputy Mayor and member of the Search Committee Hal Colston says that the Committee has narrowed the search down to five candidates that meet this criteria.

Collaboration and relationship building is important when it comes to a potential City Manager, he said.

“We have a very diverse city and lots of different constituents,” he said.

In such a diverse city, Deputy Mayor Colston said an ideal City Manager would be able to “Embrace the ongoing changes that we have in our community in terms of demographics and make sure we're really one community moving forward.”

After the finalists are recommended, they will then be interviewed by Winooski community members in an interview event where residents can meet the final candidates and provide their input.

If this process stays on schedule, Lott hopes to announce Winooski’s new City Manager by September. Lott said that she is excited about the progress the committee has made with its strong pool of candidates.