Ben Shaiken Elected Mansfield Mayor, Finance Director Named Interim Town Manager

MANSFIELD, CT — The Mansfield Town Council elected Deputy Mayor Ben Shaiken as mayor and appointed Finance Director Amanda Backhaus as interim town manager during its Oct. 26 meeting, following Mayor Antonia Moran’s announced resignation.

Shaiken, a Democrat who has served on the Town Council since 2015 and as deputy mayor since 2019, succeeds Moran, who is leaving the council after 17 years of service. The council also elected Democrat Carlita Cotton, who has served on the council since 2022, as deputy mayor.

Backhaus became interim town manager effective Oct. 27 while the town searches for a permanent administrator.

The council decided not to extend its contract with MGT, a consulting firm that provided professional administrator Stephen Daly as acting and then interim town manager through Oct. 26. Daly had served in the role since late July. The town said the decision not to extend the contract was made for fiscal reasons.

Backhaus joined Mansfield in June 2023 as director of finance, overseeing financial operations for the town, Mansfield Public Schools and Regional School District 19, which includes E.O. Smith High School.

Before joining Mansfield, she served as director of finance and town treasurer in Coventry. She also worked for auditing firms as an audit manager and senior associate from 2008 to 2017.

Backhaus is a certified public accountant and a Mansfield resident. She graduated with honors from the University of Connecticut, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting and a bachelor's degree in mathematics.

Shaiken said Backhaus is respected by council members, town department colleagues and both boards of education.

“She has valuable skills that will help Mansfield continue on a course of fiscal responsibility while being responsive to staff and residents,” Shaiken said.

He said her leadership would help the town refocus on future priorities and begin developing the 2027-28 budget.

Shaiken works as director of public policy and advocacy for the Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance, a statewide association of community nonprofits. He is a Mansfield native and UConn graduate.

In announcing Cotton’s election as deputy mayor, Shaiken cited her involvement with local organizations, including veterans groups, and her participation in community activities.

The council also recognized Moran at a reception before the meeting, presenting her with a proclamation honoring her service.

Shaiken said Moran had served as a mentor to council members from both political parties and praised her decision-making and willingness to consider feedback.

He credited Moran’s leadership with helping Mansfield expand its tax base while maintaining a flat tax rate, increasing Fire Department staffing, doubling the road-paving budget and building a new net-zero elementary school.

“I, and my colleagues on the Council, are incredibly grateful for Toni’s leadership,” Shaiken said.

State Sen. Mae Flexer read a citation on behalf of U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, and Flexer and state Reps. Gregg Haddad and Pat Boyd shared a citation from the Connecticut General Assembly.

The council plans to appoint someone to fill Moran’s vacant seat later this year. All Town Council positions will be up for election in November 2027, when their terms expire.