The Warner Select Board voted 2-1 to enter non-public session on hiring for the Town Administrator position that has sat vacant for a year despite voter approval. Mike Smith dissented while Alfred Hanson and Rick Bixby supported the closed session, and no timeline was set for posting the job. This ongoing leadership gap leaves town operations without permanent direction.
Smith also abstained on the consent agenda and opposed the June 9 manifest after receiving materials too late for review, with the same notice shortfall affecting a raffle permit request. Hanson and Bixby approved both items without delay. These procedural disputes highlight persistent transparency concerns at the board level.
Residents should watch future meetings for any public timeline on the administrator search and whether notice practices improve. Smith's repeated objections suggest the issues may reappear on upcoming agendas. Continued friction could shape how the board addresses staffing and openness next month.