North Haverhill
Lacaillade, who recently turned 60, wasn’t available for an interview on Tuesday, but she shed some light on her decision in the notice she gave to the Haverhill Selectboard on Oct. 17.
“The lack of support given to the employees and constant challenge to our ethics and work product have made me take time to reflect on my position as town manager for Haverhill,” Lacaillade wrote in the letter. “I hope that the town can work through the current issues that are causing so much upheaval to the community moving forward as one. It is very disheartening to see so much progress being negated.”
In addition, Lacaillade said, her husband’s health played into her “tough decision to retire” as town manager. Her last day in the office will be Nov. 21, and her retirement is effective on Dec. 5.
Selectboard Vice Chairman Fred Garofalo said on Tuesday that he was surprised by Lacaillade’s decision.
“I didn’t really see it coming,” Garofalo said.
He declined to speculate on what Lacaillade was alluding to in her letter, or whom it was directed toward.
However, he did say that the Selectboard takes a “long time” before voting many things through, which may have proved frustrating for Lacaillade.
“The Selectboard right now is taking a very long time making decisions, which may be a good thing,” Garofalo said. “I think that frustrates her. We keep reviewing the same thing over and over again.”
“Every time we need to make a major decision, we discuss and discuss and re-discuss,” he added. “(Sometimes) it goes on beyond having a normal discussion … we need to act a little bit quicker on some things.”
Garofalo commended Lacaillade’s work over her tenure. Lacaillade assumed the post in an interim role in March 2016 after longtime Town Manager Glenn English retired, and later was named full-time manager in July of that year. Her current annual salary is $80,351.
“She has done an excellent job from what I have seen,” Garofalo said. “She has put a lot of time and effort in.”
Lacaillade was no stranger to the town when she stepped into the role. She had been the town’s longtime finance manager before being selected from a pool of candidates to serve as manager.
Lacaillade grew up in Randolph and bought a home in Haverhill in 2009.
She asked the Selectboard to accept her letter as a formal notice, which is required 30 days in advance, per her contract.
The Selectboard currently is discussing how it may proceed in replacing Lacaillade, Garofalo said.