CANAAN — The town administrator has resigned his post effective March 4.

Chet Hagenbarth submitted a resignation notice to the Selectboard about two weeks ago, Selectboard member Stephen Freese said Monday by phone.

Freese declined to provide Hagenbarth’s letter of resignation, but said Hagenbarth did not provide a reason for leaving and his departure was not anticipated.

While Freese declined by phone to comment on Hagenbarth’s specific accomplishments in office, he spoke highly of his overall efforts at the Selectboard meeting on March 3.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank you for the last couple years of your service to the town. It is appreciated. When you came in, it was kind of a mess and you know, I think we’ve come a long way in the two years you’ve been here,” Freese said in a recording of the meeting.

In response, Hagenbarth spoke of his time as town administrator in a positive light.

“It’s been interesting and in many ways enjoyable. It’s been a whirlwind of a couple years and we’ve covered a lot of ground and there’s still a lot to go,” Hagenbarth said during the meeting.

Hagenbarth had held the position for a little more than two years after Ned Connell departed the position after less than a year. Connell replaced longtime town administrator Mike Samson, who served for over 10 years before retiring in 2022.

Before coming to Canaan, Hagenbarth worked for the town of Killington, Vt., as public works director and later town manager.

Jack Wozmak (Courtesy photograph) Credit: —

In 2025, Hagenbarth made $124,800, according to the Town Report. The town administrator salary included in the proposed budget for 2026 is $111,800.

Jack Wozmak is now serving as Canaan’s interim town administrator, a role that he held before Hagenbarth’s hiring.

“My job is basically to keep the town running,” Wozmak said Monday by phone.

Two to three days a week, Wozmak, who resides in Walpole, N.H., will commute over an hour to Canaan to be available in the office. Additionally, Wozmak can be reached by the town administrator phone number, 603-523-4501 Ext. 1050, or by email at townadmin@canaannh.gov.

While hiring a town administrator on a part-time, interim basis is less than ideal, Freese “cannot speak highly enough” of Wozmak, he said. The situation is not unique to Canaan, and common among towns across New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

“It’s a difficult role to navigate with taxpayers and the town needs. Especially small towns in New Hampshire, the challenges are great,” said Freese.

Wozmak is a senior management consultant at Municipal Resources Inc., a Plymouth, N.H.-based firm that aids towns and other entities in recruiting for executive roles, such as town administrator.

Wozmak is a familiar face in the Upper Valley, having worked temporarily as town administrator on about six different occasions, and recently filled in as interim city manager in Lebanon.

Wozmak was unsure as to the cost of his contract to the town. MRI will also be aiding the town in its effort to hire a permanent replacement for Hagenbarth.

The company will sift through applications for the position and narrow them down to the best three or more candidates, which it will forward to the board, said Wozmak. Typically, they advertise the role for a month, then spend another month reviewing applicants and conducting preliminary interviews before handing over the final list.

“So that can take anywhere from four months to a year depending on what the candidate pool is,” said Wozmak.

Part of the process also involves ensuring candidates are familiar with the town and what projects are underway.

“That way, we can tailor the skill set of the applicant to the town’s needs,” said Wozmak.