Town Manager
Resigns in Randolph
By M. D. Drysdale

Apparently to the surprise of almost everyone in Randolph town government, Town Manager Peter Butterfield on Monday announced that he would resign as of June 13.

In a letter to selectboard members and town staff, Butterfield gave the 60-day notice required in his contract. He has been manager only since February of last year.

In his resignation letter and an interview with The Herald, Butterfield expressed frustration that the position of town manager has been "systematically weakened over the last few years" and does not have authority equal to the responsibility.

He said, however, that he is not leaving because of disagreements over specific policies or procedures. He specifically rebutted any notion that his resignation is the result of conflict or friction with the new leadership of the selectboard.

The new board chair, Stephen Webster, "treated me with complete respect and dignity," he said, adding that he has "no issues" with Webster’s approach as board chair. "We share a similar philosophy," he told The Herald.

Butterfield also said his decision was not the result of disappointment that his early recommendation to create a townwide police department received a cold shoulder.

Instead, he said, he eventually found that he could not have "the impact I wanted" on the town’s business. His position, he said, was "more reminiscent of a town administrator than a town manager … what you have is a manager’s office that’s been hamstrung."

"I was frustrated by the process, but not by particular decisions," he said. And though he has found the lack of progress on expanding the municipal building to be "discouraging," he didn’t blame that for his decision to resign.

He did say that he was taken aback by the "negativity" of some of the municipal arguments and declared that too often "strident people carried the day." The rancorous 2007 pre-town meeting he described as "horrible."

"When our process accords undue power and influence to those few voices that are oppressive, divisive, or negative, it only serves to shut down real discourse, because people become afraid to express their opinions in a way that will be respected," he said in his resignation letter. "Decisions start to be made out of fear …"

Committee Problem

As a structural problem with town government, Butterfield pointed to the multitude of municipal committees, declaring that, "there hasn’t been clear guidance around the committees’ appropriate role." Having so much work done by committees bypasses the town manager’s office and expertise, he said.

Committees are an important tool to keep the selectboard from being swamped with official business, he agreed. But, he claimed, their role has been expanding without oversight.

The Water and Sewer Committee, for instance, was put in place to make recommendations on individual requests regarding rates and abatements, he said, but has taken over a larger policy role, including infrastructure planning.

Having to deal with so many committees is frustrating to a manager, he said. "Having five bosses is enough," he added, referring to the five-member selectboard.

Butterfield stressed he wants to leave on "a positive note" and that the suggestions are made in the spirit of improving Randolph government.

"I leave you with talented and dedicated staff who deserve your support and loyalty," he said "Randolph will always be a part of me and my family."

He said he will seek another job in human services, which has been his field previously. He also disclosed that he and his wife Dawn have purchased an 11-acre mini-farm in Iowa, where they intend to move when their daughter Hannah, now a junior, graduates from high school.

Selectman Jim Hutchinson, who chaired the board when Butterfield was selected, was surprised by his resignation and had good words for the departing manager.

"I personally think that he’s done a good job," Hutchinson said. "I think it’s worked well."