CHADBOURN — After a string of meetings marked by absences, stalled votes, and unresolved business, the Chadbourn Town Board moved Tuesday night to stabilize town operations by appointing former manager John Bauer to serve as interim town manager.
The decision came during a meeting that, for the first time in several weeks, drew enough board members to conduct official business. The board has struggled to reach quorum since February, leaving several agenda items — including the interim manager position — untouched until now.
A Meeting That Finally Moved Forward
Tuesday’s session opened with a brief acknowledgment from Mayor Phillip Britt, who noted that the town had reached a “critical point” in its administrative workload. With the budget cycle underway and multiple grant deadlines approaching, Britt said the town could no longer continue without someone in the manager’s seat.
Board members agreed to take up the interim manager appointment first. Bauer, who previously served as Chadbourn’s manager from 2018 to 2019, had contacted the mayor offering to assist the town during the transition. Britt told the board that Bauer’s familiarity with the town’s finances and ongoing projects made him the most efficient option.
The board voted to approve Bauer’s appointment at $65 per hour, with duties split between in‑person work and remote administrative support.
Other Actions Taken During the Meeting
With a quorum finally present, the board also addressed several items that had been carried over from previous agendas:
- Town Attorney Search: Members authorized the mayor to continue interviewing candidates to replace former attorney Mike Stephens, who resigned abruptly during a February meeting.
- Budget Preparation: The board directed staff to begin assembling preliminary budget materials for Bauer to review once he assumes the role.
- Grant Status Review: Commissioners requested an updated list of active grants, including those requiring immediate action to avoid forfeiture.
The meeting proceeded without the tense exchanges that characterized earlier sessions, though several members noted the need for “consistent attendance” moving forward.
A Town Trying to Regain Its Footing
Chadbourn has been operating with limited administrative capacity since February, when former town manager Jason Robinson submitted his resignation. His departure was followed days later by the resignation of the town attorney, leaving the clerk and department heads to manage operations in the interim.
Multiple scheduled meetings in March and early April ended within minutes due to lack of quorum, preventing the board from addressing routine business or approving necessary contracts.
Tuesday’s vote marks the first significant administrative action taken by the board in more than a month.
What’s Next
Bauer is expected to begin work immediately, focusing first on:
- Budget development
- Reviewing departmental needs
- Ensuring compliance with state reporting requirements
- Stabilizing day‑to‑day operations until a permanent manager is hired
The board did not set a deadline for selecting a full‑time manager but indicated that recruitment will continue while Bauer oversees operations.
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