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Volpe starts job with $155,000-a-year deal
Paul Volpe is expected to be the next village manager of Elmwood Park. | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times Media
Updated: July 29, 2012 6:07AM
Elmwood Park’s new village manager is at the helm with a one-year contract and six-month severance package if things go south.
Paul A. Volpe, 49, who lives in Galewood, officially started last week after the village board unanimously approved his contract.
Volpe, former chief of staff for former Mayor Richard M. Daley and who left his position as vice president of budget and capital for Chicago Transit Authority to take the village manager position, will receive an annual salary of $155,000 with benefits for a year ending May 31, 2013.
He replaces John “Jay” Dalicandro, who retired after 23 years on the job, the longest a manager has served the village.
“I would like to thank the board for their support,” Volpe said. “I’m looking forward to continuing the great work Dalicandro has done.”
Volpe can be terminated at any time with a majority vote from the board. He will receive six months’ severance pay if terminated without cause. He doesn’t receive severance pay if he quits.
The contract is renewable if either party, village or Volpe, gives 90 days’ notice prior to the original contract expiring.
Volpe is subject to a performance review and evaluation by the village board prior to April 2013.
But Volpe’s hiring was met with concerns by one village board member during the June 18 board vote.
When it came time for the board to approve the village manager employment agreement, Trustee Sam LaBarbera abstained. The abstention had to be voted on by the board to allow him to do so.
LaBarbera said his choice to abstain was no reflection on Volpe or his experience.
“I had mixed feelings and emotions about the candidate,” he said.
During the meeting all of the board members took a moment to acknowledge Dalicandro for the work he has done over the years as village manager. Village Clerk Elsie Sutter held back tears when she spoke about Dalicandro whose office in village hall is only a few feet from hers.
“I take your retirement as a real personal loss because of all the years we’ve worked together,” she said. “I will miss you, Jay.”
The board presented Dalicandro with a watch for his years of service to the village.
The board also approved the promotion of firefighters Dennis Argyrakis and Joseph Drozd to lieutenant. Village President Peter Silvestri also swore in newly hired firefighters: Nicholas Mourning, Kevin Ferraro, Corey Lieber and David Zinn.
