Town Manager Organizational Restructuring

At a glance

• What: the Town Manager's new organizational model for town administration, including a new Deputy Town Manager position.
• Where it stands: presented to the Select Board on June 23, 2026 as an update (no vote). On July 14 the Deputy Town Manager hiring process was reported at its midpoint.

The model presented (June 23)

• No net increase in staffing or budget.
• Three titles eliminated: Assistant Town Manager (ATM) for Operations, Director of Public Works, and ATM for Human Capital.
• A new Deputy Town Manager would oversee land use, planning, economic development and human services.
• Responsibilities realigned under two ATMs: an ATM for Administration and Finance and Baldinger as ATM for Public Works.
• The change moves the organization from a matrix structure to a traditional hierarchical structure, to improve daily operational oversight, establish clear succession planning and free the Town Manager for high-level strategic projects.

Hiring

• June 23: the town was actively recruiting for the Executive Assistant and Deputy Town Manager positions.
• July 14: Mizikar said the Deputy Town Manager hiring process was at its midway point and promised updates as it proceeds.

Sources

• Select Board minutes, June 23, 2026 (posted in the Agenda Center under the July 28 listing): https://www.shrewsburyma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07282026-5446
• Select Board minutes, July 14, 2026: https://www.shrewsburyma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07142026-5439

Log

2026-09-30 - Ask The Manager

Mizikar said the new deputy town manager starts November 2 after a search with nearly 100 applicants, and that the position was funded by converting existing positions, including the public works director and one assistant manager role, with no net new positions.

2026-07-14 - Select Board

Mizikar reported the hiring process for the Deputy Town Manager was at the midway point.

2026-06-23 - Select Board

Mizikar presented the reorganization; he also reported active recruitment for the Executive Assistant and Deputy Town Manager roles.

2026-07-28 - Select Board

Mizikar announced the recruitment concluded and a former assistant town manager will return as deputy town manager overseeing community development and human services; no start date yet (from auto-captions).