Ex-Stoughton Town Manager Finalist For Mansfield Opening

MANSFIELD, MA — Months after being shown the door in Stoughton, former Town Manager Michael Hartman may soon have a new job a couple of towns over.

Hartman was named as one of three finalists for the Mansfield town manager opening. Also up for the job are outgoing Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas and Mansfield Financial Committee Chairman Walter Wilk, Mansfield Board of Selectmen Chairman Michael Trowbridge confirmed Thursday night.

Mansfield has been without a permanent town manager since March when Bill Ross abruptly resigned from his position for reasons not publicly disclosed. Since Ross' departure, Town Accountant and Finance Director John Stanbrook has served as the interim town manager.

Hartman's controversial ousting has been well documented. In late June, Stoughton Town Accountant William Rowe was named the interim town manager on a 3-2 vote despite concerns from some selectmen that Hartman needed to be formally discharged. In a Norfolk Superior Court hearing, attorneys for Hartman argued that the Stoughton town charter requires the selectmen to hold a discharge hearing and the vote of at least four selectmen to remove a sitting town manager. Town counsel countered with the belief that since Hartman was told in December 2016 that his contract would not be renewed when it expired on June 30, a discharge hearing was not required and the notice was sufficient. In a preliminary ruling, the court sided with the Town, but the case remains pending.

Hartman's ousting sparked a recall effort, resulting the in the removal of three selectmen.

Hartman, along with the other two finalists, will be interviewed by the Mansfield Board of Selectmen during a public session to be scheduled.

If Hartman is selected for the position, he will have to move to from Randolph to Mansfield as the Mansfield Town Charter requires the town manager to move to town within one year of their hiring.

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