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By Judy Capone

PEABODY — Mayor Michael Bonfanti has repeatedly declined raises during his six years in office.

This year, the City Council, in a 5-5 vote, has decided not to offer him one.

On Tuesday, April 28, in a special meeting of the City Council at the Frank L. Wiggin Auditorium, Ward 5 Councilor David Gamache proposed that the mayor’s salary be increased approximately $10,000. The reasoning behind this proposal was that currently—and since July of 2001—the mayor’s annual salary has remained $94,933.39 and includes, “all other benefits afforded to full time continuous employees of the city, and use of an automobile.”

The proposed increase would have made Bonfanti’s annual salary approximately, $104,933 and eliminated the clause allowing the use of the automobile.

Since taking office, Bonfanti has declined the use of an automobile.

What is typically a brief topic for the council turned into a heated debate between councilors.

While it was expected that the mayor would decline any increase, the proposal morphed into an examination of the position of mayor and keeping the salary times regardless of the current mayor’s position on the subject. In Danvers, the town manager’s annual salary is roughly $156,000, well above the proposed increase. However, in Salem, the city’s mayor earns $80,000.

The mayor’s salary of $94,933.39 earned him the 38th spot on the top 50 earners list for 2007 in the city of Peabody. Among those who earned more than the Mayor in 2007 were superintendent of schools, the police chief and the principal of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School.

Gamache strongly felt that, “as far as compensation goes I really believe the mayor should be one of the top, pay-wise.” Gamache equated running the city of Peabody with running a $135 million corporation and that said the mayor’s current compensation paled in comparison with corporate executives.

Council members were split as to whether the position of mayor should warrant the proposed salary.

Council President Arthur Athas from Ward 2 said, “I think it’s time we be realistic and try to compensate the position.” He suggested that the council, “look beyond who’s sitting in the office and look at the position.”

Ward 3 Councilor Rico Mello thought the proposal was “way over the top.”

Councilor-at-large Anne Manning implied that candidates do not run for the position of mayor for the salary. She said, “I’ve never seen a lack of candidates,” she said, adding she doesn’t expect the city will face a “shortfall of candidates—ever.”

Most council members appeared to be in theory in favor of an increase for a job that is, according to Gamache, “365 days a year — morning, noon, and night.” But the reality of tough economic times resulted in the motion failing with a split vote.

Voting in favor of the proposed increase were council members David Gravel, Barry Osborne, Gamache, Athas and Michael Garabedian.

Opposing the pay raise were Barry Sinewitz, Ted Bettencourt, Mello, Robert Driscoll and Manning.

Council member James Liacos was not present for the vote, and the tie resulted in a defeat of the motion.

Therefore, the salary of the Mayor of the city of Peabody will remain at $94,933.39 for the next year and the mayor will continue to be allowed the use of a city vehicle, regardless of whether Bonfanti chooses to exercise that option.