By Mark Wineka
mark.wineka@salisburypost.com

GRANITE QUARRY —  M. Justin Price, town manager in Granite Quarry for only eight months, is out.

Price, 31, submitted his resignation effective at 5 p.m. last Friday, and the Granite Quarry Board of Aldermen announced his departure during a brief meeting Tuesday.

It became evident Price was on shaky ground June 8 when aldermen took considerable time in closed session talking about his position. Aldermen met again the following night in closed session, reconvened Monday morning and then again Tuesday.

Price’s performance had been evaluated after six months, and Mayor Feather said Tuesday his probationary period was extended then by three more months. Price’s contract was up for renewal July 1, the start of a new fiscal year, and the board and Price parted ways rather than enter a new contract.

Feather said he thinks Price will make a good town manager in the future, but he described differences in management styles between Price and the board for leading to his resignation.

Both sides decided “this would be the best result,” Feather added.
Other board members would not comment on Price’s resignation.

The board has named Town Clerk Barbie Blackwell as interim town manager “until the situation changes,” Alderman Mike Brinkley said.

Price was hired Oct. 6, 2014, to replace the retiring Dan Peters. According to Section 12 of his contract, Price will be due a lump sum severance package equal to three months of his $57,000 annual salary. That would be worth $14,250, not counting three months worth of insurance and 401-k benefits.

“It’s a standard agreement,” Feather said.

In the “termination of employment agreement” with Price, Granite Quarry states its separation with him is a resignation, and the town agrees to provide him with a letter of recommendation on request.

In turn, Price releases the town and its employees from any claims, lawsuits or other actions.

Price had previously served as assistant town manager and planning director in Troy.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263, or mark.wineka@salisburypost.com