City Aldermen Feb. 24 approved giving the city’s part-time recreation director a $5,000 raise.
The issue will now go to the city’s Board of Apportionment and Taxation for review.
Andrew Cota, the new chairman of the city’s parks and recreation commission, said that director Dennis O’Connell has been working for the city 19 years part-time — 16 of which has been as director.
He makes $15,600 a year, Cota said, a figure that hasn’t changed in years. Meanwhile, O’Connell has been picking up more and more responsibilities, Cota said. Example — he oversees the Derby Veterans’ Community Center.
“He goes above and beyond. He really does,” Cota said.
Ken Hughes, president of the Board of Aldermen, made the motion to give O’Connell the raise. The Aldermen’s approval was unanimous.
