Town Council Approves Contract for Weichsel

The East Hampton Town Council approved the terms of a one-year contract for new interim town manager John Weichsel during an executive session on Thursday night.

All indications are that Weichsel will sign the contract and begin work on Monday.

“We don’t anticipate any issues with it and we would think he would begin on Monday,” council member Thom Cordeiro said.

The vote was 4-1, with Sue Weintraub the dissenting vote. Council members Chris Goff and Chatham Carillo were not present.

“It’s a 12-month contract. After that, I believe, we would have it go month-to-month,” Cordeiro said. “If whoever is on the council at that time wants to have him stay on, it would be a month-to-month thing. It’s a very standard contract.”

Weichsel, the former Southington Town Manager for 44 years, had retired from that position in January.

On Tuesday, he was introduced at the regular meeting of the town council.

“Believe it or not, the operation of your government is more complex than a town of 42,000,” Weichsel said Tuesday, generating some laughter. “You may be assured I will work very hard for you and bring all my experience to bear, and I hope to be a great help to you in the relatively short time I’m here.”

Current interim town manager Bob Drewry is expected to stay on for a week to help with the transition and otherwise be available to assist as needed.

“Bob, in the short time, has been extremely helpful and him staying on one week will be golden,” Waichsel said. “That will be of terrific value.”

, 78, had been the only town manager Southington had since it first adopted a manager-council form of government in 1966. Earlier in April he had indicated the difficulty in adjusting to retirement.

"I’m honored and ready for the challenge," he said Tuesday. "It’s no retirement job. It’s going to be very significant. I hope to accomplish what you want, what you need, and I know I’ll enjoy it.