In a town that’s had four different town managers since 2006, the latest person to take on the role insists she’s in it for the long haul.
After being appointed to serve as Melbourne Beach’s interim town manager following the ousting of former manager Robert Daniels in March, Elizabeth Mascaro’s appointment became permanent last month upon a 3-1 vote, with Commissioner Steve Walters dissenting.
Mascaro’s contract is the same as the prior manager was afforded, with a few exceptions. It’s for a term of three years instead of two, and her salary will be $90,000 in fiscal year 2020 – as opposed to the $96,500 the previous manager would have earned. But starting with fiscal year 2021, her salary will increase to $96,500.
Mascaro served as the town’s finance manager for five years, a position that gave her a front-row seat to the turnover in town managers.
“They were good people, but the fit wasn’t there and so they moved on for a variety of personal reasons,” Mascaro said. “I am here for the duration, as long as the commission and the residents will have me. I have no plans to leave the town or sell my residence.”
Growing up in the Finger Lakes region of western New York State, Mascaro attended college in New Hampshire and Connecticut, then moved to Baltimore County, Maryland, where she lived for 32 years.
She’s been married to her husband Steve for 31 years and their son, Jeff, is a licensed rock-climbing guide in Colorado.
“As a family, we were avid skiers and enjoyed the change of seasons, but my husband and I were ready to make a change. We bought our home in Indialantic in 2011 as a second home after researching communities up and down the west and east coast of Florida,” Mascaro said. “We loved the small-town, old Florida atmosphere.”
After coming down monthly to make renovations, the couple decided to move here permanently in 2012.
With 25 years of experience in finance and lending, Mascaro initially took on the position of branch manager at a local bank before joining the staff in Melbourne Beach.
Mascaro said her chief responsibility as town manager is to execute the plans of the commission and manage the operations of the town with efficiency and fiscal responsibility. Her areas of focus will include quality-of-life issues such as public safety, recreational facilities, code compliance and road paving – factors which help increase property values. And she said another major focus in the upcoming year will be stormwater control.
“We are looking for ways to improve our green space infrastructure to allow for more pathways, bike paths and green space for our residents’ use and enjoyment.
“The town has also just completed its first Sustainability Plan which will provide a roadmap moving forward to improve our environmental viability now and for future generations,” Mascaro said. “I hope to increase resident participation on our boards and at our commission meetings. The town belongs to the residents and I want to hear what’s on their minds,” she said. “It is an honor and privilege for me to serve the commission and the residents of Melbourne Beach.”
