Town Manager Empowered To Sign Municipal Housing Leases Without Board Approval

The Select Board voted Wednesday to allow Town Manager Libby Gibson to execute municipal housing leases without Board approval.

Housing Director Kristie Ferrantella said the move will allow the town to act quickly to secure available housing, reducing the likelihood of missed opportunities.

“Current contract approval requirements often prevent the town from acting quickly enough to secure available housing opportunities, resulting in missed leases and lost housing opportunities for critical staff,” a memo from Ferrantella reads in part. “This change would allow the Town to respond more effectively to market conditions while maintaining transparency and appropriate Board oversight.”

The Select Board will still be notified of all leases and will have a three-day window to object.

“We do this in appointments and other things, too,” Select Board vice chair Matt Fee said. “So it’s not like we’re not checking it. We’re going to look, and if there’s something that slipped through or doesn’t make sense, we will say something.”

The Select Board was unanimously supportive of the change.

“I think this is great, given our housing situation,” Select Board member Brooke Mohr said.