Newport City Council set to hire Joe Gunter as new city manager

NEWPORT — The Newport City Council is expected to sign an employment contract Monday evening with Joe Gunter of Middletown Springs to be the city’s next manager, ending a national search that drew 30 candidates.

Gunter most recently served as town manager in Fair Haven, where he spent eight years reinvigorating long-shelved public works projects, attracting $12 million in grants for infrastructure and community revitalization and leading efforts to bring new housing development to the town.

Before Fair Haven, Gunter held a similar position in New Hampshire and led a $130 million municipal infrastructure program in Afghanistan with U.S. AID. He also spent seven years as a heavy equipment repair technician and served in the Peace Corps in West Africa. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Michigan and a master’s in economics from Northeastern University.

“Joe is uniquely qualified to fill this important role,” said Newport Mayor Rick Ufford-Chase. “Our search committee interviewed six candidates and had a strong enough pool to highly recommend two of them for Council consideration.”

Council Member Andrew Touchette, who served on the search committee, said he was particularly impressed with a program Gunter championed in Fair Haven that created internships with the local high school in the public works, police and accounting departments. Some of those interns were later hired into long-term positions, Touchette said.

“This is the kind of creative thinking that we’re really looking for in Newport,” Touchette said.

Newport Police Chief Travis Bingham, who also served on the committee, said Gunter’s background in economic development, leadership and community engagement is what Newport needs.

Council President Carter Finegan, who chaired the search committee, said the council was looking for a stabilizing force and consensus builder. He credited Dominic Cloud and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns for guidance during the process.

Gunter said he is eager to get started.

“Newport has so much going for it — from its location on Lake Memphremagog to the strong sense of determination and community pride,” Gunter said. “I’m especially eager to participate in the redevelopment of its downtown.”

Gunter is expected to attend the council meeting Monday evening to sign the contract and address questions about the timing of the transition.