Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 226 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies and Zencity
In Episode 226 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, I sat down with Andrew Hart, Town Manager of Carmel, Maine. Andrew’s story is a masterclass in resilience, humility, and the unseen realities of municipal leadership.
Most city managers never plan to enter the profession. Andrew certainly didn’t. But at just 24 years old, he was thrown headfirst into leadership when his town uncovered embezzlement, all before he’d even officially started. His trial by fire set the stage for a career that would span three decades, across towns and counties, with lessons every local government leader can relate to.
Andrew’s first management post in Chelsea, Maine came with an immediate crisis. A longtime staff member had been siphoning off excise tax money, and Andrew was the one tasked with cleaning it up. He had to fire staff, answer to residents, and rebuild trust—all before most people his age had even held a management role.
“At 24 years old, I had to deal with that out of the gate. It was like, wow, what have I got myself into?”
For municipal leaders, this story is a reminder: you don’t get to choose the challenges that arrive on your desk, but you do get to choose how you respond.
Andrew went on to serve as the first-ever Town Manager of Union, Maine, a role created by a single vote at town meeting. Over 15 years, he stabilized operations, modernized systems, and took on projects that built the fabric of community life, redoing a historic gazebo, improving cemeteries, and upgrading the town’s common and boat launch.
Small projects like benches, parks, and fields may not grab headlines, but they create spaces where neighbors gather and community thrives.
From Union, Andrew stepped into county administration, a leap from managing a handful of employees to overseeing 120 staff, union contracts, and departments ranging from public safety to airports and islands.
The learning curve was steep. But over 16 years, he guided Knox County through major projects, including building a new airport terminal and a public safety facility that consolidated sheriff, dispatch, and emergency management services.
Passing those initiatives required something beyond technical knowledge: communication.
“We thought we had no chance. How do you educate 39,000 people across a county? But when the bond passed, it proved the power of communication and trust.”
Today, Andrew serves as Town Manager of Carmel, Maine, a role he took after the tragic loss of the previous manager. His presence brought stability, but what’s most striking is his humility.
“I’ve run a mower over the outfield, filled potholes, flagged roads. If I expect public works to do it, I’m willing to be out there with them.”
That simple philosophy says more about leadership than any management book. Leadership isn’t just about strategy, it’s about showing up, shoulder to shoulder with your people.
Andrew’s journey, from a one-vote town meeting to countywide referendums, from embezzlement crises to airport terminals, shows the unpredictable, demanding, but deeply human nature of local government leadership.
It’s about trust.
It’s about stability.
It’s about being willing to do the hard work, whether that’s negotiating contracts or running a weed whacker.
For municipal leaders listening in, Andrew’s story is a reminder: the challenges will change, but the call remains the same: serve with humility, communicate with clarity, and lead with resilience.
Listen to Episode 226: Leading Through Cities, Counties, and Crises
Available now on The HaltingWinter Podcast
This episode is brought to you by Zencity, the community engagement platform that helps public sector leaders hear from all residents—not just the “same ten people.” Their AI-powered tools make it easier to understand what your community really needs and to act on it with confidence. Schedule a demo at zencity.io →
We’re also proud to be sponsored by Tyler Technologies, a leader in empowering the public sector with software solutions that connect data, streamline operations, and improve service delivery. From civic services to public safety, Tyler helps local governments build stronger, more resilient communities. Learn more at tylertech.com →
The HaltingWinter Podcast celebrates and elevates the people who power local government. Through in-depth conversations with leaders from cities, counties, and communities of all sizes, host Seth Winterhalter explores the journeys, challenges, and innovations happening in municipal leadership across America.
