Canton appoints Lisa Stinnett as acting Town Manager amid staff reorganization

The Town of Canton’s Mayor and Board of Aldermen/women appointed Interim Manager Lisa Stinnett as acting Town Manager at their March 14, 2024 meeting, effective immediately.

Mayor Zeb Smathers told the Board that Nick will transition to roles focused on Flood Recovery, Mill Recovery and Economic Development and said those recovery duties will be funded by grant dollars rather than taxpayer funds. "Nick has done an amazing job and will be transitioning to Flood Recovery, Mill Recovery, and Economic Development. Lisa will be serving immediately as Town Manager," the mayor said. Alderwoman Mull moved to appoint Stinnett and Alderman Hamlett seconded; according to the minutes, "all members voted in favor" and the motion passed.

Board members highlighted the leadership change as a milestone. Alderwoman Proctor noted that Stinnett will be the first woman to serve as Town Manager in Canton and tied the announcement to Women’s History Month. Nick Scheuer and Stinnett each thanked the Board; Stinnett said she loved the Town and would always put its best interest first.

Interim Manager Stinnett also gave a brief operational update at the meeting, including that the playground project is in the permitting stage and that the Recreation Department is hosting an Easter Egg hunt produced by the Canton Police Department. The board set no firm timeline beyond earlier language in the motion that called the appointment "immediately until the approximate time of July 1st or until a replacement is determined." The minutes do not list a numerical roll-call tally for the appointment beyond "all members voted in favor."

The Board also expressed gratitude to staff for work through recent events, including COVID, flood response and a local mill closure; Alderman Hamlett said those events increased urgency for strong municipal leadership. The meeting record shows the Board moved on to other agenda items after the appointment.