Brumback Receives ‘Above Expectations’ Review, Three-Year Extension

Southington Town Manager Garry Brumback received above expectations and a 2-percent raise on Monday evening but the council had an added surprise as they offered the two and a half year employee of the town a three-year contract extension well in advance to the conclusion of his existing contract.

Members of the council were unanimous in their support of the review and raise, praising Brumback’s work in establishing partnerships with the Board of Education and providing a balanced budget that has moved the town forward, but Democrats on the council questioned the timing behind the three-year extension.

“We are in uncharted waters here and this is something that has not been done before. The previous town manager (John Weichsel) never had a contract,” said Christopher Palmieri, minority leader on the council. “As much as we were united in the process early on, to avoid doing this before an election, the timing here and to do so out of executive session, it’s not transparent.”

“We were unanimous in the decision to give (Brumback) the raise and overwhelmingly gave him good performance reviews. These concerns are not at all a reflection of Garry or his job performance,” he said.

The three-year contract extension, which runs from July 2014 to July 2017, comes a full year in advance to the old contract running out. With his raise retroactive to July 1, he is now at a base salary of approximately $155,000.

John Dobbins, chairman of the council, said the body of work that Brumback has put together, however, has proven not only strong, but has helped to move the community in the right direction and has done so in a fiscally responsible manner.

He noted that Brumback has worked well alongside School Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr., who received his contract extension in June, to combine resources and improve services without increasing costs. He said to have the two continue to work together will provide long-term stability and a bright future for the community.

Dobbins and members of the Republican Party also defended the early contract extension, saying a provision within the existing contract would have called for discussions to begin on an extension six months before the contract expired in June 2014.

Dobbins also said reconvening to vote following the executive session is not outside the town’s operating procedure and was done in an effort to release information as soon as it was available for public consumption.

“He’s been a strong team player for this community and we felt he was the right choice to further consolidate services, continue that strong collaboration and keep the town moving in the right direction,” Dobbins said.

John Barry, Democrat on the council, said he is concerned however that the original agreement – which included a bipartisan handshake agreement when Edward Pocock III was council chairman not to address the matter until after the 2013 election – was not adhered to and the matter was not accurately reflected on the agenda or done while the cameras were on.

“I don’t know if there is any political motive, but the purpose of the agreement was to be sure that this position would not be political,” Barry said, reinforcing his belief that Brumback has excelled in his role as town manager. “To do it now, I believe, is an injustice to Garry and an injustice to the people of Southington.”

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