Town Manager's Contract Renewed

In a move they said was not , selectmen Monday night renewed Town Manager Paul Cohen's contract for another three years.

The vote came about six months earlier than usual as Cohen's current contract was set to expire in June 2012.

Selectmen Chairman George Dixon and Selectman Jon Kurland said they met with Cohen to review his goals from the previous year and how he'd performed. 

"He had consisntently exceeded the expected level of performance," said Kurland. "We had concerns about communication skills and we made recommendations (about that)."

Selectman Pat Wojtas cast the only dissenting vote on renewing Cohen's contract.

"I don’t think it’s the time to do it now. I think it could be handled later on this year," said Wojtas, adding that just because she voted against the renewal did not mean she wants Cohen to leave his position.

Selectman Jim Lane - who is the only member of the board not up for - said he agreed Cohen's contract needed to be renewed.

"I'm a firm believer in when you have a town manager who works as hard as our town manager does, when you can secure that person for future years, it's in our best interest to do that," said Lane.

"I think when you have an asset as valuable as the town manager and a contract as fair as the one we have, I think you take advantage of the opportunity," said Kurland.

Kurland compared renewing Cohen's contract to the Patriots renewing Tom Brady's contract before it expires. 

"In my mind (Cohen is) a superstar," he said.

The contract renewal includes a 2 percent raise next year and an increase in his monthly car allowance from $500 to $600, which covers gas, oil changes, and wear and tear on his personal car. Cohen does not use a town car.

Cohen called himself blessed and said he looks forward to coming to work every day. 

"In terms of compensation, (Former Chelmsford Town Manager) Bernie Lynch was the highest paid municipal employee and I will point out that’s not the case now and has not been," Cohen said. "I have 22 years of experience and I will not be earning what the (first year) superintendent earns. That’s not a knock on Dr. Tiano ... I raise that because it shows the commitment ... I don’t feel like I have to be better than everyone else."

Dixon said he did not make his decision with the speculation in mind that four members of the board would be recalled on Aug. 2.

However, if the selectmen were recalled, the board would need a quorum to handle any town business.

The town could be without a board for as long as six months if the selectmen are recalled, Dixon said, and a new board may not have enough experience working with Cohen to accurately rate his performance.

"This prevents (Cohen) from going anywhere else," said Lane. "I want the good things to continue."

Cohen's contract will now end in June 2014.