(August 20, 2015) The Select Board has completed Town Manager John Musante’s annual
performance evaluation, his fifth since being appointed to the position in October of 2010. He
again has received strong marks across all evaluation categories: Fiscal Management,
Relationship with the Select Board, Long Range Planning, Staff and Personnel Relations,
Community and Intergovernmental Relations, and General Expectations. Although he received
individual Commendable ratings within every category, Fiscal Management, Long Range
Planning, and General Expectations are especially noteworthy.
“The administration of Town government in Amherst continues to be strong and fiscally
responsible,” said Select Board Chair Alisa V. Brewer. "We look forward to John's continued
success in so many critical areas of Town management, and we will work together to make our
beloved community the best it can be in every area."
In appreciation for Musante’s work as Town Manager, he will receive a 2% salary increase
effective October 1, bringing his base salary to $150,798, up from $147,841 in the current year.
Musante will also receive the same annual longevity payment available to all benefited employees with ten or more years of service to the Town. Including the longevity payment, Musante’s total compensation will be $153,925. The only other contract adjustment was to increase the monthly automobile and cell phone allowance from $450 to $550 to cover his increased responsibilities representing the Town in Boston and elsewhere, the first such increase since 2010.
These are the only two changes made to his five-year employment contract, which automatically
renews for another year each October 1st unless the Select Board takes action otherwise. At the
request of the Select Board and Town Manager, town counsel reaffirmed our understanding of the contract language negotiated in 2010 in Musante’s original employment agreement that the
amount of severance due to the Town Manager in the event that the employment agreement is
terminated is nine months.
Determination of the 2% salary increase and adjustment to the monthly automobile and cell
phone allowance were agreed to in Executive Session August 19, 2015 and will be approved by
formal vote in open session at the August 31, 2015 Select Board meeting.
Musante expressed thanks for the Select Board’s evaluation and said, “It is my privilege to work
with incredibly talented Town staff on behalf of this community. I love my job and I am pleased
to receive a largely positive evaluation. The Select Board takes the evaluation process seriously.
It is incredibly helpful for me to get detailed constructive feedback for the things I need to work
on."
The performance evaluation documents, including the Select Board members’ individual
evaluation forms, are available on the Select Board page of the Town website; scroll down to
“Related Information & Documents.” www.amherstma.gov/selectboard