An image from Thursday’s Derby Board of Aldermen meeting, which was held on Zoom.
DERBY — The Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen voted 7 – 2 Thursday to cut the building official’s salary by about $25,000.
The vote comes after Derby Building Official Carlo Sarmiento was permitted to resign his duties as the Derby Zoning Enforcement Officer/Wetland Enforcement officer on July 24.
The building official position (which included ZEO/WEO duties) paid $85,364, according to the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen.
It now pays $60,000.
Background
Sarmiento’s resignation ZEO resignation letter happened three days after the Derby Planning and Zoning Commission had scheduled a meeting to talk about “ZEO employment” and an alleged zoning violation connected to an address used by Sarmiento’s motorcycle club.
The club’s use, or past use, of a garage on Burtville Avenue is currently being looked into by a lawyer and a city engineering consultant.
Sarmiento had retained a lawyer in July.
On Aug. 28, Mayor Rich Dziekan wrote letters recommending a reorganization of the building department.
He recommended the BOA/A change the building official’s pay to $71,209 and that the job’s hours be reduced to 30 (from 35 hours per week). Benefits would not be lost in that scenario.
Dziekan recommended a part-time ZEO/WEO be hired for $23,632.
The salary recommendations were made after the administration contacted the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and compared what other towns were paying.
The Suggestions Move Through The Derby Process
The salary matters were brought to the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen, who referred the matter to an Aldermanic subcommittee called “operations and procedures.”
That subcommittee, chaired by First Ward Alderwoman Barbara L. DeGennaro, met Sept. 24. Click here for a Valley Indy story.
At the subcommittee meeting, resident Tom Lionetti pointed out the mayor’s suggested salaries would end up with the city paying an additional $9,000. However, the Dziekan administration said the extra money involved working with the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments on a “regional planning component” that could save the city money, eventually.
DeGennaro pointed out the city’s tax board allocated the money for the building official position, and the city was talking about exceeding the budgeted amount.
In addition, she pointed out that under the mayor’s suggested pay rate and hours of work, the building official would essentially make the same hourly pay with less responsibilities.
They ended the meeting Sept. 24 with no decision, but the subcommittee got together again Oct. 8. They voted 2 – 1 to set the building official’s salary at $60,000.
DeGennaro and First Ward Alderwoman Sarah Widomski voted yes. Third Ward Alderman Charles Sampson voted no.
The subcommittee voted 3 – 0 to set the ZEO/WEO salary at $25,364.
The subcommitee’s votes were merely recommendations to the full, nine-member Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen. The final decision was up to the full board.
Board Settles On $60,000
The full board met 7 p.m. Thursday and accepted the subcommittee’s recommendation to set the building official’s salary at $60,000. The vote was 7 – 2.
Alderman Sampson and Third Ward Alderman Rob Hyder voted no.
Sampson pointed out the Dziekan administration surveyed other towns and cities, and that the mayor had recommended a fair salary.
The position of building official is important, Sampson said, and $60,000 is below market rate.
He said Derby has a history of offering low salaries, which attracts unqualified candidates, who are then hired in key roles in Derby City Hall.
Sampson mentioned the finance department specifically, saying the past two finance directors were not qualified for the job. As a result, the city got sloppy with its paperwork, double counted grant money, and created a massive budget hole the city is still trying to dig out of.
He indicated the city was again shooting itself in the foot.
“I honestly think $60,000 is too low for this position,” Sampson said.
Sampson and Dziekan wondered whether Sarmiento would even stay on board given the salary reduction. They also wondered how the city could hire a qualified replacement at such a low salary if Sarmiento walks.
The mayor pointed out $60,000 is about $4,000 more than the City Hall custodian is paid. He said the building official is a key part of city government, reviewing development plans, taking building applications, conducting inspections. The department brings in revenue for the city, Dziekan said.
Hyder was succinct in his concern: “You get what you pay for,” he said.
The board also approved creating a ZEO/WEO position and setting the salary at $25,364. It wasn’t clear when Derby will hire a person for that position.
Sarmiento was not at Thursday’s meetings, according to Derby officials.
In his resignation letter to Mayor Richard Dziekan, Sarmiento had said he looked “forward to continuing in my role as the City’s Building Official and appreciate your continued support as we find ways to make the city operate more efficiently.”
“I am excited to be a part of the next chapter in Derby and I welcome the much needed help,” Sarmiento said.
