Town Manager Earns Strong Review

ORLEANS – It seems the select board couldn’t be happier with its town manager.

The board gave Kim Newman a glowing review of her second year on the job. The review, released as part of the packet for the board’s Nov. 5 meeting, gave Newman an overall score of 4.7 out of a possible 5. 

“I’d just say that this is a good evaluation and I think it clearly indicates that the board is more than happy with the job that Kim is doing,” said Select Board Vice Chair Mefford Runyon.

Newman began work as town manager in July 2023, succeeding longtime town administrator John Kelly. Her tenure thus far has been marked by change, including an influx of new staffers and department heads and increased efforts to improve public communication through town hall.

The annual review assessed Newman’s performance across a number of categories including board support and relations (4.4), financial management (4.7), personnel management and organizational leadership (4.8), community leadership and public relations (4.8), town operations and infrastructure (4.8) and individual qualities and professional skills and status (4.7).

”I’m grateful to the select board for recognizing my efforts and commitment to the town of Orleans,” Newman said in a text message Nov. 12. “And I want to thank my incredible staff for helping me every step of the way. I look forward to serving the community for many years to come.”

Individual comments in the review specifically highlighted Newman’s abilities as a recruiter and her efforts to restructure town hall and improve communication. She was also praised for her interactions with the public.

“Kim has done an outstanding job in her first two years as town manager,” read one comment. “The amount of change, modernization and improvements to town structure and communication have all happened because she is also one of the most amazing talent recruiters I’ve ever met”

“Kim is an outstanding leader who makes clear to staff what is expected and encourages them to work collaboratively,” read another comment from the board. “This past year, FY25, saw outstanding new hires and retention of key staff that sets the foundation for future growth of personnel and efficient delivery of services.”

The board also evaluated Newman according to her ability to meet a number of its goals and agendas in the areas of recreation, community outreach, financial transparency, recruitment and retention and the fire department. She received perfect scores in all areas.

The review also highlighted certain areas for Newman and her team to build on in the coming year. Those include improving “select board meeting materials” and continuing to instill “a climate of mutual respect, trust and professionalism.” Through its review the board also encouraged Newman to “remain receptive and objective to alternative ideas and opinions” and to “be open to pivoting if/when new opportunities arise.”

Newman on Nov. 5 called Orleans “a dream job,” noting that administrators and managers in other communities have to sometimes go “off the grid” to find escape from the pressures of the work.

“This is a community that deserves to have this level of commitment, and it deserves the incredible staff that it has,” she said. “There’s a very positive relationship that is building here between this community and the staff here.”

Newman also thanked the board for supporting her “crazy, chaotic, changing ideas for the community.”

“But it’s paying off, and it’s only going to get better,” she said.