SEYMOUR — Sheila O’Malley, Ansonia’s economic development director and grant writer, was hired Tuesday as Seymour’s part-time economic development consultant.
The Board of Selectmen voted 6-1 in favor of bringing O’Malley onboard.
According to O’Malley’s contract, she will be paid a monthly fee of $3,750 which translates to the $45,000 annual salary the selectmen previously budgeted for in the 2021-2022 fiscal budget.
The contract is for one year only, starting Dec. 1, with the option for the board to extend it after one year by mutual written agreement. The contract can also be terminated by either party — O’Malley or the board — by giving 14 days written notice.
Selectwoman Trish Danka cast the sole dissenting vote, saying she based her vote on some concerns she heard from residents — but she did not elaborate. Despite the no vote, Danka acknowledged O’Malley was the most qualified candidate of the candidates interviewed.
First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis said O’Malley is the right fit for the job.
“Sheila’s reputation speaks for itself,” Drugonis said. “Between Derby, Waterbury and Ansonia, her expertise on grant writing, and all the grants she got for Waterbury and Ansonia, she has an attitude of ‘I will fight and fight and fight until we get it done,’ and she has the type of personality that will go and get what we need done.”
The employment contract also lists the services O’Malley will be responsible to provide, which include, in part:
- serve as the town’s first point of contact for economic development services
- write and pursue state and federal development grants
- conduct business recruitment activities designed to provide new jobs and an improved tax base for the community
- build mutually beneficial relationships with national, state, regional and local agencies and entities engaged in economic development
- facilitate programs for business retention and expansion for existing businesses in town
O’Malley will also be required to present a monthly oral report to the selectmen, as well as present an annual budget.
O’Malley will retain her job in neighboring Ansonia and work in Seymour outside of her Ansonia hours. The contract does not stipulate how many hours she will work per week or month, which Drugonis said will vary depending on what O’Malley is pursuing or working on.
Reached by text after the vote, O’Malley told The Valley Indy she already has identified a potential grant relating to Brownfields.
“I look forward to working with First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis and her administration to help continue to encourage economic growth in Seymour and to explore regional opportunities for funding for both Seymour and Ansonia,” O’Malley said. “We are always better working together. I’m going to help Seymour a lot.”