With Hart Departing, West Hartford Getting Acting Town Manager

WEST HARTFORD, CT — In reaction to West Hartford Town Manager Matt Hart's announcement that he is leaving the town to accept a position as executive director of the Capitol Region Council of Governments, Mayor Shari G. Cantor Tuesday announced she intends to nominate Town of West Hartford Executive Director of Human Resources Rick Ledwith to serve as acting town manager.

Cantor released the following statement regarding the departure of Hart:

"Matt has been an excellent Town Manager, providing steady leadership to West Hartford during an incredibly challenging time. Matt’s many accomplishments include keeping West Hartford a safe, vibrant and prosperous community through his unfaltering leadership during the pandemic; shepherding some of the most significant economic development projects in the history of the Town; and the adoption of a landmark refinancing plan that fully funds West Hartford’s pension for the first time in decades. I am fortunate to consider Matt a friend and I will miss him, but I look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role."

Hart is scheduled to begin his new position in early February. Cantor said she intends to nominate Ledwith to serve as acting town manager at the next meeting of the town council.

Ledwith has worked for the Town of West Hartford since 2001 in several capacities. For the past fifteen years, he has served as the Executive Director of Human Resources, where he has worked extensively with every municipal department as well as the West Hartford Public Schools. Rick and his wife Tara have lived in West Hartford for 25 years and are proud to have raised three children in town.

"I am humbled that Mayor Cantor has put her trust in me," Ledwith said. "I truly love this community, and I look forward to this new challenge."

Said Cantor, "West Hartford is incredibly fortunate to have someone of Rick’s experience and expertise able to step into the role of Acting Town Manager."

Deputy Mayor Liam Sweeney thanked Hart for his leadership and service to the town, and he also praised Ledwith.

"Rick is a thoughtful leader who is well respected by both town employees and members of the Town Council, and I’m grateful that he is willing to step into this role," Sweeney said.

"I want to personally thank Matt Hart for his dedication and service to the town of West Hartford and also thank Rick Ledwith for taking on the critical responsibility of Acting Town Manager at this time," added Mary Fay, the minority leader of the town council.

Cantor said that the council will likely conduct a national search for a permanent town manager but requires additional time to review how best to conduct that process.