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The Springfield Chamber of Commerce is recommending that the salary for mayor be increased to $135,000, saying the $40,000 pay raise is justified given the responsibilities of the job, the size of the community and the lack of any raise in 16 years.

(John Suchocki / The Republican [file])

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Chamber of Commerce is recommending that the salary for mayor be increased to $135,000, saying the $40,000 pay raise is justified given the responsibilities of the job, the size of the community and the lack of any raise in 16 years.



The Chamber's Board of Directors forwarded the recommendation by way of a prepared statement, saying the current $95,000 salary has remained stagnant since 1997 and has not kept pace with the times nor with the responsibilities.



"We believe that increasing the salary of the mayoral position in Springfield is a strategic investment in the leadership of the city," said Jeffrey S. Ciuffreda, executive director of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. "This increase will allow the city to be able to effectively draw and compete for the highest caliber of mayoral candidates – experienced individuals with a proven talent in solving the most complex problems and making critical and, at times, unpopular decisions."

Jeffrey S. Ciuffreda

The business chamber said its recommendation is based on the position, rather than the person. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno was re-elected in November of 2011 to a four-year term.



A City Council ad hoc committee studied a pay raise for the mayor more than two years ago, and recommended a $110,000 salary. The council took no action.



Councilor John A. Lysak, who was chairman of that study committee, said he favors some raise for the mayor position, but not as high as the chamber's recommendation, and sees no urgency.



Under state ethics law, it appears that any raise in the salary could not take effect in the current term, according to City Solicitor Edward M. Pikula. The mayor's term ends in January 2016.



The Chamber of Commerce surveyed salaries of mayors in many communities in the region and around the state and New England, saying Springfield's was significantly low when evaluating factors such as population, unemployment, per capita income, total revenue, state aid and poverty.



In addition, the chamber said it believes that 113 city administrators in Springfield, including school, police and fire officials, have higher salaries than Sarno.



Sarno, in a prepared response Thursday, said there are "major discrepancies" when comparing the salary in Springfield and mayoral salaries in smaller communities such as Westfield and Newton ($125,000), and Agawam, Chicopee, Holyoke and West Springfield ($85,000).

Domenic Sarno

"While I'm deeply humbled and honored to be mayor and know that I love and live this job, there is never a good time for any elected official when it comes to giving consideration to a potential pay raise," Sarno said. "However, any mayor, he or she deserves to be fairly compensated for this very difficult and demanding 24/7 job."



Sarno said the issue is one within the realm of the City Council and "I will abide by their decision."



Ciuffreda said the mayor manages a city with a $551 million budget and more than 6,000 employees, including the School Department.



"That is akin to running a multi-million dollar corporation, and we believe the compensation that is paid should attempt to be somewhat commensurate," the chamber said in its statement. "The Chamber simply wants the ability to compete for the best candidates and for the compensation to be consistent with comparable communities."

Council President James J. Ferrera III said he is aware of the chamber's recommendation but has no comment at this time because he is focusing his attention on the proposed host community agreement with MGM Resorts International to build a casino in Springfield.



Council Finance Committee Chairman Clodovaldo Concepcion said he is aware of the proposal and believes the council "has to look at it with an open mind." The process ahead is up to the council president, Concepcion said.



Lysak's study committee conducted public hearings two years ago and got a mixed response to increasing the mayor's salary. He said it is always difficult to consider a raise, but agrees with the Chamber's goal of attracting the best candidates.