Sudbury Town Manager Resigns After 2 Years

SUDBURY, MA — Sudbury Town Manager Henry Hayes Jr. will step down from the job at the end of June, about one year before the official end of his contract, town officials said Friday.

Hayes, a former Hanscom Air Force Base commander, was appointed to the role in April 2020. His three-year contract was set to expire on March 31, 2023. In a statement announcing his resignation, Hayes alluded to a possible move away from Sudbury as a reason for stepping down.

"My family and I have contemplated the importance of being near those we love and have examined several options and opportunities. The decision does not come lightly. I have developed in so many ways since being here, and the people are truly great to work with," the statement said.

Select Board Chair Charlie Russo thanked Hayes for his work, in particular during the pandemic.

“We are grateful to Henry for his work as town manager through a very challenging time," Russo said in a statement. "His steady leadership during a pandemic, his engagement with residents, and his emphasis on teamwork helped ensure the continuity and quality of town services to the community. We thank Henry for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

When Hayes started in 2020, his contract guaranteed a $180,000 per year base salary with the chance for annual raises. He also got a $4,800 per-year vehicle allowance, $6,000 per year toward a retirement fund and 20 days of vacation per calendar year.

The Select Board has been negotiating Hayes contract in recent weeks, according to meeting agendas. The board met in closed session on May 10, May 17, May 24, May 31 and June 7 to discuss his contract.

Prior to those negotiations, Hayes underwent a 360-style performance review, where a variety of town staff answer questions anonymously about performance and behavior. Many of the responses had positive things to say about Hayes, including that he's a good listener and seeks differing opinions before making decisions. But some response pointed to a possible lack of knowledge about town government.

"For not having any municipal experience and taking on the position during the pandemic, I think the [town manager] continuously works hard to improve his knowledge base. After two years, I would have expected that his understanding of municipal government and finance would be further along," one response said.

Each member of the Select Board also rated Hayes' performance in individual questionnaires. The ratings differed between each member, with former member Bill Schineller and member Dan Carty rating him above 4 on a 5-point scale. Russo and members Jennifer Roberts and Janie Dretler rated him below 4, with Dretler lowest at 1.94 overall. Overall, he scored a 3.3 out of 5, according to the evaluations.

The town's statement on the resignation said that officials would not comment further about the departure because it is a personnel matter.