Rethink Local and Alex hired as Interim Municipal Manager in Rockingham and Bellows Falls Vermont

The Rockingham Selectboard and Bellows Falls Trustees unanimously approved a three day per week three-month contract with Rethink Local for Alex Torpey to serve as Municipal Manager. The prior manager, Scott Pickup, who spent more than five years in the community was hired by Springfield, Vermont. During this time, VLCT will be doing the search for the new Manager.

Alex mentioned, “I’m grateful for the opportunity and trust placed in me to serve as Interim Municipal Manager during this period of transition for Rockingham and Bellows Falls. Interim roles are less about launching big new initiatives and more about helping an organization stay steady, focused, and functional while it prepares for what comes next.”

During the interim period, the primary goals are straightforward: make sure the day-to-day work of the town continues smoothly, support staff so they can do their jobs effectively, and help boards and committees stay focused on their most important responsibilities. Quickly building trust and relationships, providing consistent and clear communication, predictable processes, and follow-through matter a lot in small organizations, and especially during times of change.

Learn about Rethink Local's services

From a management perspective, stability is not passive—it’s something that has to be actively maintained. That means identifying where systems or workflows create unnecessary friction, reducing uncertainty where possible, and making sure decisions are documented and understandable. Small improvements in clarity and coordination can make a big difference in how people experience their work and how residents experience local government, and part of the purpose of the Interim period is to reset small workflows to better support the new Manager when they start.

Another key focus during an interim period is listening. Taking the time to understand what’s working well, what feels frustrating, and where expectations are unclear helps ensure that short-term decisions don’t create long-term problems. The goal is to leave the organization in a stronger position than it was found—better aligned, better informed, and ready for its next permanent leader. The insight gained from these conversations feed back into the search, the staff, and the boards.