Groton ― The Town Council on Tuesday voted to extend the town manager’s contract.

The council added two years onto Town Manager John Burt’s contract so he has a five-year deal in place.

Burt said his current salary is $184,729, but the council has the discretion to adjust the amount.

The council typically votes each year to add another year onto Burt’s contract to match his original five-year contract term, but has not extended the contract since 2021. Burt became town manager of Groton in 2017.

The vote at the Town Council’s meeting was 6-1, with one abstention. Councilors Melinda Cassiere, Rachael Franco, Edward Jacome, Bruce Jones, Juan Melendez, Jr., who is town mayor, and Juliette Parker voted in favor, while Councilor Portia Bordelon opposed, and Councilor Scott Westervelt abstained. Councilor David McBride left early.

Bordelon earlier in the evening at the Town Council Committee of the Whole meeting proposed first doing an evaluation of the town manager before taking a vote on his contract. Only Bordelon and Westervelt voted in favor of that motion, which then failed and against a motion by Franco to extend the contract.

Bordelon said councilors are elected by the people, and then the town manager is paid to run the town. She said as a matter of principle and process, she would like the council to do a proper evaluation of the town manager to uphold accountability to the community.

Melendez said he is representing the people of Groton by ensuring that the town keeps its town manager. Melendez said Burt is doing a fantastic job and promptly addresses concerns, and the council is voting on a contract extension, not a salary increase. Melendez said Burt requested the extension, and the town has lost other directors and staff because the town is not paying enough or for various other reasons, so it’s important to retain a well-qualified employee.

Melendez said the council periodically evaluates the manager and did an evaluation last year.

“I’m thankful to the Town Council for their continued support. I’m enjoying living and working in Groton and plan to be here for a long time to come,” Burt said by email Wednesday. “One of my goals includes continuing to work on improving communication and engagement with the public.”

He said that as the town struggles to find employees for certain positions, he also is working with the human resources director and Town Council on ideas to make it a more appealing place to work.

“Government employment can be very rewarding by providing the ability to help the community,” Burt added. “Part of what we have to do is better messaging on the benefits of working for government, along with appropriate pay and the ability to have a healthy work-life balance.”

k.drelich@theday.com