Wakefield City Council revises offer to city manager candidate

WAKEFIELD — Following a meeting with potential City Manager Jason Laumann, the Wakefield City Council Friday made changes to the contract Laumann was offered.

Prior to the council meeting, Mayor Joe DelFavero said Laumann received a phone call and had to leave to tend to a family emergency.

DelFavero said Laumann was concerned his job was tentative, following a 3-2 vote to offer him the position at the March 18 meeting. Council members John Granato and Bob Blaskowski were the no votes.

Granato said he voted no because there was no contract in front of him.

“I didn’t vote against the person,” he said.

Blaskowski said he voted no because two of the top skills a city manager should possess are budgetary and work management abilities.

DelFavero said Laumann possesses many skills that could make him a successful city manager for Wakefield.

DelFavero and council member Amy Tarro agreed offering a $50,000 salary was too low. According to DelFavero, Laumann countered the offered, suggesting more than $65,000 as a starting salary.

Granato said Laumann doesn’t have city manager experience and shouldn’t be offered the same starting salary as someone with 30 years of experience.

The council agreed offering Laumann more than $65,000 is too much. DelFavero and Tarro said offering him $62,000 is fair.

Granato disagreed, saying the council should offer Laumann a $55,000 starting salary. Then, after one year, he said Laumann’s salary should be raised to $60,000, following an evaluation. The council unanimously voted for Granato’s motion.

The council agreed a cost of living adjustment could be added Laumann’s contract following an evaluation.

Also on the agenda, the council discussed bargaining unit contract items.

Following a lengthy discussion, the council tabled whether or not to allow city employees to drive city trucks home after work.

The council voted unanimously against having city employees work four 10-hour work days per week until Memorial Day.

The council voted in favor of Don Plonsky working full-time for the department of public works.

He previously worked 20 hours a week for the water and electric department and 20 hours for the department of public works.