Press Release February 9, 2022
Media Contact: Roger Arnold, Selectboard Chair
Roderick Francis Selected as Norwich Town Manager
Norwich, VT — The Norwich Selectboard has chosen Director of Planning and Zoning, Roderick (Rod) Francis, as the new Town Manager. Mr. Francis has served as Interim Town Manager since August 31, 2021, following the departure of previous Town Manager Herb Durfee.
“On behalf of the Norwich Selectboard, I congratulate Rod Francis on being selected as our new Town Manager” said Roger Arnold, Selectboard Chair. “Together with a Screening and Interview Committee, the Selectboard conducted this process with great consideration and we are pleased with the results. We are confident that Rod Francis has the necessary skills and learned insights to serve Norwich at this unique moment. We look forward to working with Rod on behalf of the entire Norwich community.”
“I have enjoyed the challenge of being Interim Town Manager and building a new management team. Together I hope we can bring town government into the 21st Century while maintaining New England traditions of civic participation,” said Rod Francis.
The Norwich Town Manager is appointed by and works under the direction of the five-member Selectboard, elected on a nonpartisan basis. He is responsible for a General Fund budget of $4.9 million, and oversees a staff of 20. The Town Manager also works with the Selectboard to present the Town budget, borrowing for capital projects, and other major policy decisions.
Francis has served as Director of Planning since 2018. In this role he most notably shepherded, with the Planning Commission, the writing and subsequent adoption of the 2020 Town Plan. Previously Francis worked as the Director of Planning for the Town of Brattleboro and before that as a planner for the Windham Regional Commission.
Vermont League of Cities and Towns consultant Rick McGuire assisted the Selectboard with the search. The Town received 32 applications from Vermont and other states and 5 candidates were selected for interviews by a Screening Committee.