Politics & Government

Avon Assistant Town Manager to Depart Soon

Steve Bartha pursues a town manager role in Massachusetts.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published Aug. 26 and has been updated to clarify some information. The article originally stated that Bartha accepted the town manager job in Lenox, MA, but he never officially accepted it because the contract was still being negotiated. Sept. 6 was the estimated last day Bartha told Town Manager Brandon Robertson and select officials and staff members as he waited for the results of the contract negotiations. The article has been corrected to reflect the correct information. 

After three years working in Avon, Assistant Town Manager Steve Bartha is planning to leave to take on the coveted role of town manager in another state.

Bartha is being considered for the job as town manager in Lenox, MA and is in the process of negotiating a contract.

The New Hartford resident started off in Avon as assistant to the town manager and was promoted to assistant town manager a year and a half later.

Eliminating the "to the" from his title signified a rise in his level of responsibility to someone who would act as town manager in Town Manager Brandon Robertson's absence. Robertson said it's customary in the town of Avon to first hire an assistant to the town manager before making them an assistant town manager. The assistant town manager also has more experience and less supervision, he said.

Bartha was active in the Avon Free Public Library expansion and renovation project and had strong interaction with the town's Clean Energy Commission. During major storms like Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm of 2011, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and the blizzard in February of 2013, Bartha played an "instrumental role" in coordinating the town's response, Robertson said.

While Robertson plans to hire an assistant to the town manager in the future, he said that Bartha will not be replaced immediately as he takes time to evaluate the position.

"He's going to be difficult to replace, but it's nice to see him have the skill set to move on," Robertson said.

Bartha's last day in Avon is expected to be Sept. 6, according to town officials.  


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