Barrie City Council Special Meeting: Interim City Manager Approved – September 17, 2026

The Barrie City Council (Vermont) held a special meeting on September 17, 2026, to approve the agenda, enter executive session on personnel and contracts, and consider approval of a 12-month contract for an interim city manager. All motions passed unanimously by voice vote, and the council approved Patrick Cushing's contract and heard his introductory remarks. Note: The transcript opens with "Today is Wednesday, September 16th, 2026," but the meeting metadata provided indicates September 17, 2026; the latter date is used in the title and summary per the instruction. The transcript spells the city as "Barrie" throughout.

Agenda Approval & Executive Session

• The council unanimously approved the agenda without adjustment.
• The council unanimously entered executive session to discuss personnel and contracts, joined by the acting city manager.
• The council unanimously exited executive session and returned to open session.

Discussion Items

• Interim city manager contract (Patrick Cushing): Councilor Gustin recapped the search process: the committee's finalists withdrew within two to three hours; VLCT consultant Dominic Cloud recommended Patrick Cushing as a possible interim candidate; Cushing had come to Barrie to look at the city that same day; the search committee interviewed him; and the full council interviewed him last week. Gustin reported that all reviews and feedback were positive. The council then voted to approve the contract and authorize the mayor to sign.
• Mayor's remarks on the appointment: The mayor emphasized the contract is for 12 months, that the council would not call Cushing "interim" because they "don't expect an interim job," and that he has full authority and bears the full weight of the office. The mayor acknowledged Cushing is "a little light on municipal experience" but noted the council had previously hired successful city managers without municipal experience, and framed the term as "a very extended job interview." The mayor also praised Barrie residents, stating the city was the only community in Vermont to extend SNAP benefits when they were curtailed, and said residents give even when they cannot afford to.
• Patrick Cushing's introduction: Cushing introduced himself as a Killington, Vermont native; Woodstock Union High School graduate; George Washington University graduate in criminal justice with a minor in psychology; former law enforcement officer for seven years (Alexandria Sheriff's Office and Alexandria Police Department); holder of a master's degree in forensic psychology; former remote consultant for Deloitte; former Killington Select Board chair for about 10 months; and Killington town manager from January until recently, when he left due to a "fundamental disagreement with the select board on risk to the town." He said he was "blown away" when he drove up to Barrie, citing the cat café, food markets, and the people. He expressed full support for the city's direction, saying "what Barry's doing is right and special," praising the city's redevelopment and affordable housing efforts, and stating, "the future of Vermont is Barry." He also said he starts Monday.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the agenda (voice vote; carried).
• Entered and exited executive session (voice votes; carried).
• Approved Patrick Cushing's 12-month contract and authorized the mayor to sign (voice vote; carried). The mayor noted he had already executed copies subject to council authorization, and will send a copy to Mr. Delcore along with Mr. Cushing's contact information.
• Adjourned (voice vote; carried).