VermontBennington allows contracts to change rules for dismissing its town manager
Unless a contract expressly changes the rules, Bennington’s town manager gets 90 days’ written notice before dismissal and may be suspended with pay during that period.
What it does
Bennington’s town governing board may dismiss the town manager without needing a reason, with 90 days’ written notice and a majority vote. A contract may expressly change these removal rules.
Argument forContract exceptions could let Bennington and its town manager agree on dismissal terms that fit their needs.
Argument againstA contract that shortens the notice period could give the town manager less time to prepare for dismissal.
More detail
Bennington’s Select Board, the town governing board, may dismiss the town manager without needing a reason. These rules cover Bennington’s town manager. Unless a contract expressly changes the rules, dismissal requires 90 days’ written notice and a majority vote at a meeting called to vote on dismissal. During the 90-day notice period, the board may suspend the town manager with pay. The law took effect on April 20, 2026, when the Governor signed it.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 22House message: Governor approved bill on April 20, 2026Latest
- Apr 21Signed by Governor Phil Scott on April 20, 2026Became Law
- Apr 14Delivered to Governor on April 14, 2026To Governor
- Apr 3Senate Message: Passed in concurrenceMajor
- Apr 2Read 3rd time & passed in concurrencePassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 2New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- Apr 1Reported favorably by Senator Morley for Committee on Government Operations, read 2nd time and 3rd reading orderedMinor
- Apr 1Favorable report by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Apr 1New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 31Favorable report by Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Mar 31Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 31Entered on Notice Calendar
- Feb 27Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Government OperationsMinor
- Feb 25Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Feb 25Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Feb 24Third Reading orderedMinor
- Feb 24Rep. Pinsonault of Dorset reported for the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
- Feb 24Read second timeMinor
- Feb 24Action Calendar: Favorable
- Feb 20Notice Calendar: Favorable
- Jan 15Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military AffairsIntroduced
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