The motion, presented by Alderman Charles Sampson, passed by a 6 – 2 vote.
Alderwomen Anita Dugatto and Sarah Widomski voted no, saying they wanted a little more time to talk about the issue.
Aldermen Joe DiMartino, who is seeking the Democrat Party’s endorsement to run against two-term incumbent Republican Mayor Richard Dziekan, recused himself.
Last year a Charter Revision Commission suggested adding the term “full-time” to the description of mayor in the city’s charter. However, they did not suggest a salary or benefits, because it wasn’t their job — it was up to the city’s legislative body.
The Aldermen/Alderwomen endorsed the change, and it was ultimately approved by the city’s electorate.
In Derby, mayors serve a two-year term.
Sampson successfully put forth a motion during a meeting March 18 that would:
- Set the starting salary at $65,000 (it’s been $45,000 since about 2005)
- Provide city insurance, or, if the mayor declines the insurance, a $2,000 stipend
- $3,000 a year for gasoline for his vehicle
- Three weeks vacation
- Enrollment in the city’s 457 investment plan; with a 5 percent match from the city
Raises would be granted at the same annual rate at the Derby Public Schools teacher’s union contract.
Sampson’s plan called for the mayor to receive an additional one week of vacation while serving his or her second, two-year term.
A mayor elected for a third term would receive a maximum five weeks of vacation.
When a new mayor is elected, the salary again starts at $65,000.

Alderman Sampson
Sampson noted the salary was set at $45,000 in 2005. Had the mayor been granted two percent raises every year since 2005, the current salary would be roughly $65,000.
Currently the mayor gets a $5,000 raise every term. Sampson said that equates to a 3.8 percent increase per year, which is a bigger increase than the city’s union employees usually receive.
The mayor also gets a $5,000 expense account, which is apparently used for employee office parties and such, according to what was said at the March 18 meeting.
Alderwoman Widomski wanted to set the salary at $80,000. She said that starting salary was based on a salary survey provided by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, and on comments offered at meetings by members of the public.
Mayor Dziekan asked whether the board wanted to take Sampson’s proposal and Widomski’s proposal and hash out a compromise at a subcommittee.
Ultimately the Alders decided to adopt Sampson’s concept.
The city’s corporation counsel will review what was approved, and the compensation package is scheduled to go into effect at the start of the next mayor’s term.
Election Day is in November.
A copy of the plan presented by Alderman Sampson is embedded below.
Sampson Proposal – 2021 Mayors Salary by The Valley Indy on Scribd