Town coordinator resigns
Eryn DionNews Staff Writer
TEMPLETON — Town coordinator Jeffery Ritter announced during Monday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting that he will be leaving Templeton.
The announcement was not entirely unexpected, with the town of Sterling’s Board of Selectmen offering Mr. Ritter a position as town administrator earlier this month.
Mr. Ritter’s letter of resignation was read aloud by board Chair Jeff Bennett. He stated he is leaving with ‘mixed feelings’ but gave the town his best wishes.
“Templeton, as a community, your best years are ahead of you,” he wrote.
While the board expressed regret at his resignation, many residents were not shy about venting their frustrations, claiming the board “forced him out” and that “they should be ashamed of themselves.”
“It didn’t have to come to this,” said Council on Aging Director Bethany Loveless.
Despite any hard feelings, Mr. Ritter made sure to end his letter on a positive note.
“Templeton is a great town,” he wrote. “With great people and dedicated public servants.”
Members delayed the motion as much as they could, joking about not letting him go, before board member Julie Farrell put the motion in order.
“It is with great regret that we accept the resignation of Jeffery Ritter,” she said.
Although he is leaving, Mr. Ritter will be working hard his last two weeks. At Monday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, he was given the responsibility of drafting the job description for the new position of Templeton’s town administrator, which will then be put before the board for a vote.
Mr. Ritter took up the role as town coordinator in 2011 and has been well received over the years, earning praise from both the board and residents. He previously worked as the town administrator for the town of Hatfield and the assistant administrator for Harvard.
In his resignation letter, he indicated his new position will include “full administrative authority over town operations”, something he lacks in his current role.
Sterling’s town administrator, Terri Ackerman, will step down on Dec. 31, with Mr. Ritter’s resignation effective on Jan. 19.
The Man Quit Templeton For Money. And why not.. others have done the same thing...... And I like him...but. Remembrer One Thing...HE"S GONE.... END OF THIS STORY>>>
ReplyDeleteOr maybe it was the seething political climate in Templeton, or the non-stop conspiracy theories, or the non-stop rancour between warring families and their political allies. Or maybe it is because, what, 5 years ago our state rep put in writing that Templeton was dysfunctional and broken, and things haven't changed since then. Or maybe it is because the town is not only broke but broken. Housing prices aren't falling because of the line forming of people wanting to move in. So rather than, "He's gone....end of this story" maybe you all ought to really think about just what is going on in Templeton and why it is very few people that weren't trapped there by accident of birth want to stay.
DeleteOh, and look at your own polling, 75% of those polled actively don't want a new school where the roof doesn't leak where it won't be shut down by OSHA as unfit for human habitation.
Hi Walt,
ReplyDeleteI think there were many factors involved in Ritter's departure. I think it is less about warring factions than about the inability to do the job as a town coordinator. We need a Town Administrator who has the authority to act and take care of the town's business.
There is no way Templeton can offer $85,000/year while dealing with a $505,000 shortfall.
I am disappointed in the polling results so far for the elementary school. It is not an accurate survey by any means but it does show a significant lack of support for a new school…or maybe it's a lack of support for the school system after the use of the nuclear option( 603 CMR 41.05). Most people I have talked feel that their votes should count and the backlash is coming out against the Elementary school project.maybe it's the fact that the town has a mound of debt already. I don't know.