ATTLEBORO - A key player in the city's efforts to enhance its industrial base and infuse new life into a dormant downtown has been given a $10,000 pay raise.

Michael Milanoski, the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority's executive director was awarded the raise last week by the ARA board, bringing his salary to $104,290. The increase, about 10.6 percent, is retroactive to Jan. 1.

There was no opposition on the board, a public entity but separate from city government.

The ARA directs economic development projects for the city.

Vice Chairman Max Volterra said the increase is well deserved. "Michael works extremely hard and he has done an outstanding job," he said.

Volterra pointed to the deft handling of the numerous complexities surrounding development of the city's $14 million industrial business park, a $61 million downtown revitalization project and reuse of the Swank Co. building that took years of complicated negotiations among three levels of government and two big corporations.

Volterra also cited Milanoski's ability to explain and defend complex ARA proposals.

"(Tuesday) was a classic example," he said, referring to Milanoski's presentation of the urban renewal plan for downtown to the city council.

"He had total grasp of all the details of the project and the political skills to deal with tough questions."

Milanoski returned the compliments.

"I enjoy working for you," he told board members, adding that all their efforts are making a difference for the city. "Collectively, we're turning the tide."

Milanoski was hired by former Mayor Judith Robbins to be the city's economic development director in 2002. As a city employee, he earned about $58,000 a year, which was funded with a federal grant.

In that job, he worked for both the city and the ARA.

Solely ARA employee Milanoski became an employee solely of the ARA two years ago after a turf war between the ARA and Mayor Kevin Dumas over city projects. Milanoski was hired by the ARA at $80,000 a year.

The ARA now employs three full-time staffers and is headquartered in a second floor suite of the Bronson Building on North Main Street.

GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.