Haverhill Town Administrator Resigns

By Bernie Marvin

Former Haverhill Town Administrator, Tom Galinat, to leave position in early September. He was sent home on a 30-day "paid administrative leave" and resigned the next day.

The Peacham, Vermont resident had been in the job since December 2025 and has resigned from his $115,000 job effective in 30 days, on September 4, 2026  

According to comments and published reports from town officials, after a meeting with the Haverhill Select Board, Galinat was notified that he was being placed on administrative leave with pay. A short time later, on the evening of August 4, 2026, a board letter was delivered to Galinat's home in Peacham, Vermont, notifying him of the administrative leave.

The next morning, Galinat submitted his official letter of resignation to the board. He followed the contract's terms, giving 30 days' notice to continue his pay and allowances until the day his service to the town ends. 

This action was followed a few days later by a letter of "clarification of the resignation" from Galinat to members of the press, to which this writer for The Bridge Weekly was addressed, explaining the circumstances surrounding his actions. The former Haverhill Town Administrator introduced his letter to the press as follows: "Please find my letter for clarification of the resignation.  I feel this clarification is necessary after reading some of the information currently circulating.  When you discover unethical activity and have to report it to the Board, and you are engaging in possible unethical activity, this leaves the Administrator in a very tenuous position simply for performing his duties.  I look forward to my next opportunity, following my passions and focusing on building community.  We can do amazing things when we all come together. Thank you for considering this." 

In his letter of resignation issued to the Town of Haverhill, Galinat wrote that he was giving his 30-day notice of resignation effective September 4, 2026. In his letter, he wrote, "After careful consideration, I have come to realize that I am unable to commit to the time required for this position. In the review of current policies and finances, which are three years behind in audits and an ongoing forensic audit, I have found that the time required for enforcement and recreation of policies and procedures for Haverhill is beyond my current time restraints."

"Please accept this recommendation for your next administrative hire: that they come with experience and especially availability to overcome what I have brought to your attention for review and redirection. Haverhill has enormous potential, and I look forward to working together over the next 30 days to assist with the transition. I am willing to work with the select board and your replacement to assist in any way you see fit.”

 "Please provide a written directive for my next 30 days to best prioritize the transition." 

Galinat included references to his contract for continuing wages, medical and dental benefits, and accrued sick and vacation time. The contract terms for his resignation required 30 days' notice to continue receiving salary and benefits during that period. According to information from the Town of Haverhill, his base pay was $115,000; he had three weeks of vacation and medical coverage for a year. His contract also stated that 30 days' notice was required to leave, with a 30-day severance to be paid during the first year.

Later last week, Select Board Vice Chair Ron Hurlburt and Select Board member Ron Fournier spoke with The Bridge Weekly about the situation at the Haverhill Municipal Building, noting that the 30-day administrative leave meant that Galinat will be working his final 30-day stint from his home in Peacham, Vermont.

Hurlburt, who has been acting as the board spokesman to the media, especially to The Bridge Weekly, for the past two years. He said the board has been made aware of at least one person who may be interviewed for the job at some point, but the board is considering all possibilities.

Hurlburt said that only a week or so has passed since the resignation came in, that they have put the word out, and that they will probably be speaking with at least one interested person. He said the board knows that town employees will be assisting in filling the void until it is filled.

He said the board had weighed putting the Town Administrator on a leave of absence for several months; the differences between the board and Galinat were ongoing, and the board took that action, which prompted his resignation.

He said some employees were supportive of him, others were not. He said a majority of the board agreed to put him on a "leave of absence to give them some time to work things out." 

He said that, in the meantime, the Town Administrator, who will be working until September 5, 2026, is still the town administrator and is on administrative leave, with a submitted letter of resignation.