SHREWSBURY – The Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen agreed to increase Town Manager Kevin Mizikar’s salary to $205,000 during their Nov. 9 meeting.
That amounted to a $15,930 raise according to data provided by Shrewsbury Human Resources Coordinator Kristina Ordung to the Community Advocate, who said that Mizikar’s salary had been $189,070 since July 1, 2019.
“He’s done an extraordinary job for us,” said Board of Selectmen Chair John Samia. “He’s an extraordinary leader.”
According to Samia, Mizikar’s contract requires a review of his compensation at least on an annual basis.
Selectman Beth Casavant said the Board began discussing this several months ago in executive session.
“I think we have done our due diligence to make sure that we are not only offering a competitive salary for the manager, but also that we were looking at increasing his salary for the right reasons,” Casavant said.
She said Mizikar is Shrewsbury’s town’s third Town Manager.
“We keep managers because we treat them fairly,” Casavant said. “We treat them well. We compensate them accordingly.”
The selectmen have examined the market over the last several months. In similar communities, they said, the compensations for town managers have increased.
Selectman Maurice DePalo added that former Town Manager Daniel Morgado’s salary wasn’t appropriately adjusted over the years. As such, the town had to make an adjustment after he retired in 2017.
Samia said Selectmen didn’t want Mizikar to be in the position to look for other positions, as they want to retain him in Shrewsbury for the long term.
The cost to replace a town manager is significant, and the pool is “relatively thin,” he continued.
“I think if somebody’s doing a good job, they should be compensated when they’re here, not talk about what a great job they did when they’re gone,” DePalo said.
The selectmen did praise Mizikar’s work in addition to offering this salary increase.
“I think, first and foremost, the adjustment is appropriate because of the job that Mr. Mizikar has done,” DePalo said. “That, to me, is the most important thing.”
With over 38,000 residents in town, Casavant said it’s “quite the responsibility” to lead Shrewsbury, particularly through the pandemic.
She said Mizikar has brought a vision for the organization of the town and the community and worked toward that vision.
“Simply put, he’s done great work,” Samia said.
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