City Council Delays Decision On Mayor's Salary

The City Council pushed an item on the elected mayor's salary to its next meeting after failing to arrive at a consensus on Monday.

The Council voted 3-1, with two abstentions, to table the matter until Feb. 22. The decision came after an attempt to set the salary at $86,000 was rejected in a 2-2 tie.

Voters opted last November to change the city government to have an elected mayor, elevating the position from its current ceremonial role to assume the duties of the city manager. The former city manager, Martin Berliner, was paid $166,500. Denise Rose, who is filling the position in an interim capacity until a mayor is elected, has an annual salary of $120,000.

Adam Sprecace, chairman of the Administration Committee, motioned during deliberations of that group prior to the council meeting to establish $81,000 as the annual salary.

“I believe there is a portion of the mayor’s salary that needs to be reflected in public service,” he said.

Sprecace said the salary was comparable to cities with demographics similar to New London. These included New Milford, with a population of 27,121 and a mayoral salary of $86,414, and East Haven, with a population of 28,189 and mayoral salary of $75,000.

Other members of the committee argued for a higher salary. Mayor Martin Olsen said his discussions indicated that $80,000 to $120,000 was an appropriate range, and he felt the salary should fall in the middle. Michael Passero said the salary will be set for four years and that it should be commensurate with other administrators employed by the city.

“Quite frankly, I don’t think that salary will attract the kind of candidates we would want,” he said in response to Sprecace’s recommendation. “It’s just too low.”

Passero amended the motion to raise the salary to $120,000, but the amendment was defeated with Olsen and Sprecace against. Olsen’s motion to amend the motion to set the salary at $100,000 was supported by Passero, and the three councilors voted to send the recommendation to the full council.

Councilors Robert Pero and Michael Buscetto III were also part of the Administration Committee, but abstained from the votes. Pero excused himself from the chamber, saying he felt it was required for councilors abstaining from a vote. Thomas Londregan, the city’s director of law, said leaving the room was a traditional move accompanying abstinence from a vote but was not necessary. During the committee meeting, Buscetto remained in the room but his only input was asking if the salary for the mayor’s chief of staff would be considered. Passero said the charter declares that the chief of staff’s salary will be set by the city budget.

Londregan previously opined that it is for any councilor to discuss the mayor’s salary, since their candidacy is not a guarantee that they will win. So far, attorney is the only person to have formally declared  candidacy. However, Pero has filed campaign paperwork with the city and has delayed a formal announcement due to poor weather. Buscetto is holding an event at the on Thursday where it is probable that he will announce that he is running for mayor.

When presented before the full council, Pero again excused himself. Buscetto said he would weigh in on the proceedings if Olsen determined it to be necessary, but said it was also possible that the matter could be put off until Councilor Wade Hyslop Jr. was available.

Sprecace’s motion to amend the $100,000 recommendation to $86,000 was supported by Councilor John Russell, but opposed by Passero and Olsen. Passero said he would support the $100,000 salary, but that he would also support tabling the matter. The council opted for the latter option in a 3-1 vote, with Sprecace opposed and Pero and Buscetto abstaining.