Aspell Gets Contract Extension

The Concord City Council approved a one-year contract extension for City Manager Tom Aspell on Aug. 10, keeping him on for another year.

According to Mayor Jim Bouley, approving and confirming the city manager’s contract extension is the only position in the city that the councilors actually hire. All other hires are made by the city manager, he said.

Last month, according to Bouley, the council issued a satisfactory job approval rating for Aspell, the first part of his review process. He said that the city manager did not receive step increases like other city employees but would be receiving a 1.25 percent pay increase, bumping his pay up to just under $142,000. Other than the pay increase, the contract is generally the same as last year’s, Bouley said. The contract was available to the public at the city clerk’s office.

Ward 10 Councilor Fred Keach praised Aspell's work. 

“Relative to other communities, the same size as Concord or larger, the city manager’s done an outstanding job of presenting budgets that are workable,” he said. “He’s anticipated the economy the way that many other mayors around the state have not … he’s done a great job.”

Bouley ageed. 

“It’s been an absolute pleasure serving with you,” Bouley said to Aspell, noting that he had served with two different city managers during his time on the council. “It has been an absolutely dream … and we should be very proud to have you as a city employee.”

Kennedy gets solicitor's job

Jim Kennedy, the current deputy solicitor, has also been hired to take over the city solicitor’s position.

Kennedy, who was hired in November 2009 to fill the new position of deputy city solicitor, was chosen after a national search, which is done for all department heads, according to Aspell. Kennedy, he said, came out as “the most viable candidate, the best candidate.” Aspell said that hiring Kennedy last year has allowed the council to save tens of thousands of dollars.

“It may not be for 38 years, but I think he’ll do a fabulous job,” Aspell said of Kennedy.

Keach said he was glad about the appointment but asked how long it would take to hire a new deputy solicitor. Aspell said Kennedy’s appointment would take place on Sept. 18, and he had already gone through the resumes of the people who weren’t hired for the top position, to see if the others were interested in the deputy position. Aspell said the city was going through 80 different cases at the moment so it would be difficult to leave the position vacant for a long period of time.

Former City Solicitor Paul Cavanuagh had been with the legal department for the city of Concord for more than 38 years, according to Bouley. Previously, Kennedy served as the Attorney General’s liaison to the Legislature.