Show Notes: Arthur Capello – From Bowling Alleys to Town Hall: How Customer Service Shaped a Town Manager

Episode 175 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Overview

In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Arthur Capello, Town Manager of Berwick, Maine, to explore how growing up in a family-run bowling alley unexpectedly prepared him to lead in local government. With a career that spans nonprofit leadership, building inspection, and town administration, Arthur brings a people-first perspective to the public sector, emphasizing service, humility, and community revitalization.

Arthur’s story is a masterclass in leadership that listens. From handling late-night bar league bowlers to navigating brownfield redevelopment across state lines, Arthur shares how trust, adaptability, and genuine care for people have shaped his career. If you’ve ever wondered how someone breaks into city management—and stays rooted while doing it—this is the episode for you.

Episode Highlights:

• Bowling Alley Beginnings: Why customer service at a bowling alley taught Arthur the fundamentals of leadership, conflict resolution, and communication

• Nonprofit to Public Sector: How two decades working with youth and adults with disabilities shaped Arthur’s empathy-driven management style

• Breaking Into the Club: What it really takes to make the leap into town administration and why Gilmanton took a chance on him

• The Power of Presence: From riding in plow trucks to library meet-and-greets, Arthur shares why visibility and humility matter in municipal leadership

• Rebuilding Berwick: How Arthur is helping revitalize a rural mill town through community engagement, public-private partnerships, and cross-state collaboration

• People-First Leadership: Why treating every staff member—from receptionist to department head—with dignity creates a thriving workplace culture

• Reimagining Policy: Arthur’s belief that municipal policies should be living, breathing tools that serve people, not block progress

• Avoiding Burnout: The importance of taking breaks, creating boundaries, and cultivating balance in a 24/7 leadership role

• Serving Across the Aisle: Lessons learned from being both a selectman and a town manager—and how it helps anticipate what elected officials really need

• Small Town, Big Impact: Why small-town leadership may be more demanding—and more rewarding—than most people think

Connect with Arthur Capello

• LinkedIn: Arthur Capello on LinkedIn

Connect With Seth Winterhalter

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
• Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions: At HaltingWinter, our mission is to build stronger cities through stronger leaders by providing municipal leadership development services, rooted in the ABCs of Impactful Leadership framework. To explore how we can strengthen you and your municipality, visit haltingwinter.com.

Upcoming Events: Don't miss Seth Winterhalter as he keynotes the 2025 APWA South Carolina Chapter Annual Conference in Spartanburg, June 23rd-26th. Register here: https://southcarolina.apwa.org/event/2025-annual-conference/

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