In early April, over 30 municipal managers from Vermont and New Hampshire came together at the Woodstock Inn for the 3rd annual Municipal Solutions Summit (MSS). This dynamic and collaborative event is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by local governments, concentrating on practical problem-solving and action plans tailored to the specific needs of small towns. It is designed by and for the managers and staff that run the day-to-day operations of local municipalities.
Sessions aim to develop actionable solutions for the issues that matter most to local governance and the well-being and sustainability of small towns in Vermont and New Hampshire. Topics included housing, mental health, staffing, human resources, and time to share successes and “epic fails.” Eric Duffy, Municipal Manager for Woodstock Town and Village, and Tina Fabiano have designed and organized the summit together every year.
MSS session “Cookin’ with Tom and John” with retiring town managers (seated) Tom Marsh (Windsor) and John Haverstraw (Hartford) and facilitation by Eric Duffy.
The authenticity of the content shines through session titles, including:
- They Don’t Have a Clue About Being a Manager – what do we do, how can we do it better, and how to manage in the current political climate;
- On a Scale of 1 – 10, I think I’m an 11 – creating and building templates for annual reviews;
- It’s OK, We’ve Solved It – focused on housing, small group discussions about the state strategy and how that is playing out for small towns, strategies for creating housing-friendly zoning, and resources for small scale housing development; and
- Municipal Management in 2026: Epic Fails and Marginal Gains – participants shared a success and a failure they learned from in the past year.
The MSS is a must-go annual event for a growing number of municipal managers who appreciate and benefit from the focus on their needs, issues, wisdom, experience, and practical solutions. MSS is supported by several sponsors, including Vital Communities, as part of our work with Upper Valley municipalities.