Northfield Pays $65K in Separation Agreement with Former Town Manager

The town is now searching for a new full-time town manager and police chief after recent departures.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The town of Northfield, Vermont has paid former town manager Jeff Schulz nearly $65,000 in a separation agreement after he departed the position in December 2025, two months earlier than originally planned. The town's five-member selectboard approved the severance package in a 4-1 vote. Schulz's last day was December 19, 2025. The town has since brought on a part-time consultant, Steve Mackenzie, the former Barre town manager, to fill the role temporarily. Northfield is now searching for a new full-time town manager, with a salary range of $120,000 to $140,000 plus benefits, as well as a new police chief after the previous chief resigned in October.

Why it matters

The departure of Northfield's long-time town manager and police chief highlights the challenges small Vermont towns can face in retaining and replacing key municipal leadership positions. The severance agreement also raises questions about the town's fiscal management and transparency around personnel decisions.

The details

According to the separation agreement, Schulz received a payment of $54,860, which was six months of his salary minus deductions, as well as an additional payment equivalent to six months of the town's health care contributions, totaling $64,960.16. The selectboard approved the agreement in a 4-1 vote on December 17, 2025. Schulz's last work day was December 19, 2025.

  • Schulz announced his plan to retire or resign in October 2025.
  • Schulz left the position in December 2025, two months earlier than originally planned.
  • Steve Mackenzie, the former Barre town manager, started as a part-time consultant on January 5, 2026.
  • The application window for the full-time town manager position closes on March 6, 2026.
  • The previous police chief, Pierre Gomez, resigned in October 2025.

The players

Jeff Schulz

The former town manager of Northfield, Vermont who received a nearly $65,000 separation agreement after departing the position in December 2025.

Charlie Morse

The outgoing selectboard chair of Northfield, Vermont who stated the total payments to Schulz in an emailed press release.

Steve Mackenzie

The former Barre town manager who came out of retirement to fill Schulz's spot as a part-time consultant starting January 5, 2026.

Pierre Gomez

The former police chief of Northfield, Vermont who resigned in October 2025.

Kevin Moulton

The deputy police chief in Montpelier, Vermont who is serving as the interim police chief in Northfield effective January 14, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“The payments to Schulz totaled $64,960.16”

— Charlie Morse, Outgoing Selectboard Chair (vtdigger.org)

What’s next

The Vermont League of Cities & Towns is managing the search for a full-time town manager, with the application window closing on March 6, 2026. The selectboard is also seeking five people for a town manager search committee to help interview and select finalists for the position.

The takeaway

The departure of Northfield's long-serving town manager and police chief highlights the challenges small Vermont towns can face in retaining and replacing key municipal leadership positions. The severance agreement also raises questions about the town's fiscal management and transparency around personnel decisions.