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01/26/2021 11:49 AMThe Town Council has approved a contractual raise for Town Manager Karl Kilduff. Kilduff’s salary will increase two percent in line with other union contracts.
In December 2019, the Town Council and Kilduff agreed to a three-year contract with an annual salary of $165,000. At the Town Council meeting on Jan. 20, the council unanimously agreed to raise his salary by two percent or $3,300.
At the meeting, the council entered into a scheduled executive session to discuss personnel. The council came out of executive session a little more than 30 minutes later and then voted to amend the meeting agenda to include an item for the annual adjustment to the town manager’s salary.
Though both the adjustment to the motion and the approval of Kilduff’s raise were unanimously supported, council member Christine Goupil did make a point to note afterward that in her opinion the new agenda item should have been included on the agenda prior to the meeting as a matter of transparency to the public.
Town Council Chairman Chris Aniskovich explained that the “the raise he was given is in line with what was given to other employees.”
Since officially taking office as Clinton’s first town manager in January 2020, Kilduff’s tenure to this point has been quite eventful. He has had to lead the council through the bumps of ironing out the defined role of the new Town Council, endured contract negotiations and a budget process, and of course, dealt with the unprecedented challenges the town has faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Overall, we’re very happy with the job he’s been doing,” Aniskovich said to the Harbor News.
During the executive session, the council provided Kilduff with some feedback on his job so far.
Aniskovich said that since the feedback occurred during an executive session, he couldn’t get into exactly what was said, but said, “We basically talked about what we want to do from here to move the town forward.” Aniskovich said there was also some talk about whether or not Kilduff should be in the public eye more, but the council ultimately felt that that isn’t the role of a town manager. Under a town manager form of government, the manager is responsible for the day-to-day workings of the town, but is not necessarily the face of the town.
“The reality is that’s how it functions in every town that has this form of government. They really are not in front of the public on a day-to-day basis,” Aniskovich explained.
Clinton officially changed its government structure from a board of selectmen style of government to the town manager/town council form 14 months ago. Earlier in the council meeting, Aniskovich discussed the first year of the council’s existence. Aniskovich complimented his fellow council members for their ability to work together for what is best for Clinton regardless of political party or agenda.
“I really do appreciate everybody on the council,” Aniskovich said during the meeting.
Speaking after the meeting to the Harbor News, Aniskovich acknowledge that the start of the council’s term was tough as the board members had to figure out their new roles.
“In the beginning we had some issues we had to work through,” Aniskovich said, adding that the transition to the new form of government led to some finger pointing amongst the council as people weren’t clear on the role of the council in the new government.
Instead of concerning itself with the day-to-day operations of the town, the council works to set the policy and procedures for the town, which the manager then carries out. During the past year, Aniskovich has more than once stressed that in his view the council should have any discussions in person during the council meetings, but that once a decision is reached the council as a whole should work to support that decision.
“I think we are doing a great job and we’re doing what’s best for the town and getting away from any agendas people may have,” Aniskovich said.