Burcham’s employment status with town changes

The status of Pulaski’s Interim Town Manager Darlene Burcham has changed.

During Tuesday’s meeting of council, Mayor Shannon Collins read a statement describing the change.

“Given the process for naming a new town manager has taken longer than was originally anticipated – and the cost of Ms. Burcham’s service was estimated at three to four months – she has offered to withdraw from the contract and has agreed to work part time as the interim town manager until the end of the year as a temporary employee of the town,” Collins said.

Collins continued, saying the arrangement “will save the town money in these uncertain times as well as not rush the council to a decision.”

Collins said council has accepted the arrangement and thanks Burcham for her “continued attention to the town’s finances.”

Burcham has been working since July 1 in Pulaski after the town contracted with The Berkley Group, which provides management services for localities. That action came following the resignation of then town manager Shawn Utt.

Burcham – town manager of Clifton Forge at the time – was joining Berkley as a part of the company’s executive management team.

She has over 40 years of experience in local government, including stints in Norfolk as its deputy city manager and as Roanoke’s city manager for ten years prior to moving on to Clifton Forge.

By MIKE WILLIAMS, The Patriot