41°
Mayor since 1994, the raise, which passed 6-3 by the Common Council on Dec. 11, will increase DeStefano's earnings from $75,000 to $95,000, said City Clerk John Naumchik.
The measure, which was sponsored by First Ward Alderman Joseph Masi, also included a pay raise for Council President J. Miguel Rodrigues from $15,000 to $20,000.
It was opposed by three council members, including Second Ward Aldermen Gerald Kleiner and Kevin Witt and Third Ward Alderman Kate Ramkissoon, he added.
The raises were based on recommendations from a study by the New York Conference of Mayors, which found that pay for Middletown’s top officials wasn't comparable with salaries “in other cities and towns in and near Orange County.” For example, the mayor of Mount Vernon is paid $128,700, and the mayor of New Rochelle is $102,810.
DeStefano’s pay last increased in 2013, when he was earning $39,000. Common Council members salaries will remain at $10,000 annually.
The mayor said earlier that the position has changed a lot since he was first elected and is now a seven-day-a-week position that requires travel and spending time away from family.
Click here to follow Daily Voice North Orange and receive free news updates.
