Concord’s City Manager Requests 3-Month Paid Sabbatical Through Mid-October

CONCORD, NH — Concord’s long-time city manager is requesting a three-month sabbatical beginning next week.

Mayor Byron Champlin issued Tom Aspell’s request in Monday’s Concord City Council packet, which was released to the press on Thursday. If approved, the city manager will be on sabbatical from July 20 to Oct. 18.

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Champlin said the request was “consistent with the provisions of his employment agreement,” which will also be discussed on Monday. Aspell is in the middle of a multi-year employment agreement, but he is annually reviewed.

In his contract, Aspell is entitled to one three-month paid sabbatical every three years. The sabbatical must be approved by the council. However, “such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld,” the contract stated. He is not entitled to a payout for unused sabbatical leave, currently about nine months, upon termination of employment or contract expiration. Aspell was awarded the sabbatical provision after his first 10 years of service to the city, the memo said.

Aspell has been the city manager since late 2006. Before that, he was the assistant city manager and worked in the community development office. Aspell has been an employee of the city since 1998.

Aspell said Thursday he had never taken a sabbatical before and often does not take full vacations either. He said while approaching retirement years, he is now in his mid-60s, it was a good time to take the sabbatical and step away from the job for a short period.

Aspell expected Brian LeBrun, the deputy city manager for finance, to step into his role during the sabbatical, pending council approval Monday.

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