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Community
WEDEN
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that career, Weden used his vast experience in public safety to return part-time to municipal government as Plymouth’s Town Emergency Manager, Code En- forcement Officer, and Building Inspector. And then, the town began its search for a new Town Manager. “Being involved in mu- nicipal government for an entire career, the passion in me came alive once again to come back to working full-time for the town,” Weden said.
The recruitment process for that position was one he calls “rigorous and thorough.” After the Board of Selectmen read through the many applications they received, the field was nar- rowed first to six, then to three people they felt were most suit-
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January 2023
able. Those three were then asked to prepare a one-hour presentation to the board, spend
another hour answering ques- tions from town department leaders, and then one final hour meeting privately with selectmen for the final phase of their deci- sion-making process.
“During that time, residents were even allowed to join in and ask any questions they had [for the candidates],” he said.
Weden praised the town for its open and transparent method of recruitment, along with its collaboration with department heads for the process. Believing in those very same concepts of open, transparent, and honest leadership, he was very pleased when he was ultimately offered the position.
Over the course of his first two months as Town Manager
Weden took time to meet with not only department heads but the town’s many community partners, such as business own- ers, medical and mental health facilities, schools, and Plymouth State University. As a Plymouth resident for 39 years, as well as a local former public safety offi- cer, he is familiar with most of them but said he wanted to get a better grasp of their individual functions and particular needs. Since Plymouth is a “hub” com- munity for its neighboring towns, Weden said the path to success is met when all partners under- stand each other, work together and provide support whenever it is needed, especially within the town departments.
“I’m actually the facilitator between them and the Board of Selectmen,” said Weden. “I want to make sure we’re all doing the
best we can with the financial re- sources we have available.”
Another of his tasks since he began his role as Town Manager was to update the town’s Web site. On the home page, www. plymouth-nh.org, visitors will now see that Plymouth is aimed at “Bridging the Lakes Region and the White Mountains” and in their own new role as “The Eco-tourism Center of New Hampshire,” there is a statement on the town’s “Missions, Vision and Values.” In addition, there are photos as well as recommen- dations for entertainment, din- ing, and places to where people can explore the natural beauty of the area.
Weden now posts his own monthly reports on the Town Manager page as well to keep residents and taxpayers apprised of what is happening in their
town government.
As a personal thank you for
the support he received in his quest for the job, he also posted the following message: “I want to thank the Town of Plymouth’s Selectboard for selecting me, and I am very excited for the op- portunity to serve as Plymouth’s Town Manager. I have always respected the Plymouth com- munity and think it has a very promising future. I look forward to continuing to be a part of it.”
In keeping with his pledge for transparency and open commu- nications, Weden said that he answers all phone calls as soon as possible and is happy to speak with the public about any issues or concerns they may have. He can be reached during the town business hours at (603) 536-1731 or by email at townmanager@ plymouth-nh.org.
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