By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Town Manager Robert Peabody thought he had a deal on a new three-year contract following 2 ½ hours of negotiating with the Bridgton Select Board in executive session.

Like any negotiation, Peabody pitched the idea of a pay raise and increases in auto allowance and retirement contribution. The manager thought “compromises” were reached, an agreement was in place and expected Tuesday night that the board would approve the new contract.

Instead, the Select Board voted 3-2 to reject the contract. Voting for the contract were Chairwoman Carmen Lone and Robert McHatton. Voting against were Bear Zaidman, Paul Tworog and Fred Packard.

A stunned Peabody left the meeting room after the vote (Jan. 25).

Before the board adjourned the session, Rec Director Gary Colello was “curious” as to what action the board planned going forward in regards to the town manager. He pointed out how it took two to three years for other towns to find new managers. Colello also noted how Peabody was “invested” in the community and “spent a lot of time to make it a better place.”

“(The decision) doesn’t make me feel very good,” Colello said.

Chairwoman Carmen Lone said the board will request another meeting with Peabody to negotiate.

Peabody’s current contract expires June 29.

The News contacted Peabody Tuesday night for comment on the vote, as well as whether he planned to continue contract negotiations.

“I did not know that (another negotiation). They did not say that. I’m not sure they negotiate in good faith because when I left the meeting last week (my executive session), there was consensus on terms of my contract. We met 2 ½ hours. We made some changes. I made some changes. When you go into negotiations, you start with your best hand and recognize you are going to compromise. Compromises were made. The session ended with the consensus, agreement on the contract,” Peabody said. “I do know that both Bear (Zaidman) and Paul (Tworog) for the last few days have been calling other select board members trying to change their minds. That’s negotiating in good faith? I don’t think I would negotiate that way… I thought we had come to reasonable terms. They had agreed to the terms. Now, they’re walking back on what they agreed to.”

Peabody questioned a comment made by Select Board member Fred Packard that he “didn’t realize” some of the increases proposed.

“Fred realized. When Paul was giving his speech, Fred wasn’t at his desk (he was attending remotely). Yet, his talking points were what Paul had said. Fred knew everything that was in the contract because I gave them a paper that had everything on it,” Peabody said.

Tworog opened discussion of the proposed contract by saying, “I don’t believe the proposal is the best deal for the town.” He felt major provisions such as the salary increase and automobile allowance were “too rich.” Tworog also felt a three-year contract was “not in town’s best interest contract,” although Peabody later noted three years is “the standard” for administrators.

Referring to himself as a “numbers guy,” Tworog outlined the proposed contract. 

The base was $112,986, but it increased when Peabody took on responsibility of Public Works when it’s director, David Madsen, was called away for military service. The new request is $128,586, which Tworog noted is a 13.8% hike.

“I’m concerned,” Tworog said. He then noted that the proposed figure was more than what is being paid in other municipalities such as North Yarmouth, South Berwick, Skowhegan and nearby Casco.

“The salary amount is outside what should be paid,” he said. Tworog also noted hikes in auto allowance ($3,600 to $4,800) and retirement.

Tworog also noted that despite past increases, Peabody had “looked for better jobs.” 

In response to Tworog’s points, Peabody told The News Tuesday night (Jan. 25):

• He was very disappointed how the matter played out, before a viewing audience on LRTV. “They didn’t have the decency to alert me that they had gotten Fred to change his vote and given me the option to negotiate further. Instead, they chose to surprise me and embarrass me publicly,” he said.

• “Paul misrepresented so much. He doesn’t understand the manager’s market. He doesn’t understand how pay has changed for us. I live here. I pay taxes here. I don’t know that you had a manager do that in, oh 30 years, having the manager so invested in the community and then negotiate in bad faith like that, and say things aren’t factual — anecdotal not factual — I gave them nine different towns and compared them by valuation, by population. What Paul didn’t say, the range was up to $147,555. The South Berwick manager that just retired made what I used to make. When they hired my friend from Harrison (Tim Pellerin), they gave him $125,000.”

• On the $128,586 salary, it is the current amount being paid (salary plus stipend for the PW work). “We negotiated to keep that (figure) — first year, no increase; second year 3% and third year 3%. The 13.5% (cited by Paul) is over two years. Skowhegan just increased manager’s salary by 18%, knowing it’s hard to find people. People aren’t going into this line of work. It’s a hard job to do. The town requires me to use an automobile, change $300 per month to $400. 

10% for retirement, the going rate for managers is 10 to 12%. The taxpayers don’t cover all the costs for me. 30% of my salary is split between Salmon Point and Wastewater. If you look at my salary, the taxpayer is on the hook for $90,000. How many managers run a campground and expand it. I’m running an almost $8 million operation with 40 people and overseeing over $30 million in projects — and this is what they do…I’ve changed this town. I’ve held taxes down.

• Regarding Tworog’s comment about applying for other positions, Peabody called it “very inappropriate.” “I told the Select Board I was going to retire after this contract ended. It gave the Select Board three years to replace me. It was very much in their favor. A three-year contract is standard.”

“You might go 1 ½ years without a manager. Windham was over 2 years. When managers look at a town to go to, they are going to call the previous manager, and ask, ‘How did they treat you?’ and ‘Is it a good place to work?’ And, one of the board’s top goals was employee retention.”

• “At the end of the day, the contract would cost the taxpayers $90,000 the first year and $92,700 the second year and $95,500 the third year. How much do they think they are going to pay an interim town manager to come in and figure out all I know (especially in the midst of these major projects)? Auto allowance increase $1,200. Retirement increase $5,154, no that was the original request, it was half of that. That is the kind of money they got rid of the manager over.”