Simsbury Selectmen Praise Town Manager, Give Him A Raise

SIMSBURY, CT — After more than a year on the job, the town's top appointed official earned a positive review and a pay raise from the Simsbury Board of Selectmen.

Selectmen at their last meeting, Aug. 11, unanimously approved Simsbury Town Manager Marc Nelson's annual performance review, upping his pay 2.5 percent in the process to $197,953.

Nelson, who came to Simsbury after being mayor of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., was hired in October 2023, but officially started in Simsbury in January 2024.

Reading the official review document, Simsbury First Selectwoman Wendy Mackstutis said Nelson brought "new energy and creativity" to the town, praising the work of Nelson, who is the town's second-ever town manager.

She said Nelson has "positive interpersonal skills and a willingness to engage and support staff and residents."

As with any employment review, there are always items to work on, and Mackstutis said there were some concerns regarding "role clarity and government structure with having a non-political role."

She said the board's personnel subcommittee also discussed with Nelson ways to improve communication and get materials to board members "in a timelier manner."

In the end, Mackstutis and the board congratulated Nelson on a successful stint, adding they "understand it takes time when coming into a new community and figuring it out."

She said the personnel committee's review process began in March and April, with the review finally being presented to selectmen last month.

"It's been a long time coming, but we do feel that the end product has come out very good," Mackstutis said.

"I appreciate working with all of you. Thank you for your patience for some of the things we've worked through together," Nelson said.

He said Simsbury is a "great place to work" and he is "proud of the achievements they made together."

The pay adjustment was made retroactive to July 1.

For the minutes of the Aug. 11 Simsbury Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

From Oct. 24, 2023: 'Simsbury OKs Pact To Hire Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Mayor To Be New Manager'