Norwich - The City Council Monday approved a severance agreement with former City Manager Alan Bergren, who resigned Feb. 2, that will pay him a total of $152,342 in three payments over the next several months.

Bergren resigned after serving as the city's top administrator in what was called "a mutual agreement" between him and the City Council. His contract with the city called for him to receive a severance package worth six months of his base salary, which this year totaled $127,500.

The agreement, approved unanimously, will have the city pay Bergren $51,781 by March 31, $52,000 by July 31 and $48,561 by Jan. 31, 2016. In addition, Bergren will receive health and dental insurance coverage until June 30, 2016, or until he obtains other employment with benefits.

After a 30-minute executive session to discuss the severance package, the City Council asked city Comptroller Josh Pothier to explain to the public why the severance package was nearly double what was in the written contract.

Pothier, who negotiated the severance package along with Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll, said Bergren did not take several salary raises that would have brought his base salary to $148,134. In addition, Bergren also had accumulated 192 hours of unused vacation time at a payment rate of $81 per hour.

The council approved the agreement without comment during the meeting.

"I think it was a fair settlement," Mayor Deberey Hinchey said afterward. "I wish Alan very well. He gave a lot of years to the city."

Bergren was hired in December 2007 following the tumultuous tenure of former City Manager Robert Zarnetske. Bergren's calm and polite manner quickly provided a sharp contrast to the frequent disputes between Zarnetske and then-Mayor Benjamin Lathrop and with some city employees.

But recently, council members had been dissatisfied with lack of initiative and action by the city administration, and after Bergren's resignation, said it was time for a change.

Norwich Public Utilities General Manager John Bilda has been serving as acting city manager since Feb. 3, and the council has appointed itself as the executive search committee.

Under state law, the search committee can act completely in secret, without posting meetings, agendas or minutes.

After Monday's meeting, Hinchey said the committee has not met since the first session to start the process. Hinchey is researching search consulting firms and plans to recommend hiring a professional search firm to assist. She said she plans to have an update on the search by the end of this week.

c.bessette@theday.com

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