The Watertown City Council credited interim City Manager John C. Krol for providing a smooth transition during his City Hall stint in which he was paid $30,000.

City Council members hired Mr. Krol in February as a consultant to help them look for a new city manager, but then decided he should serve as the city’s CEO on a temporary basis until that search was completed.

Today is his last day in the office, although he remains available in case of an emergency until new City Manager Sharon A. Addison starts her new job July 16.

Mr. Krol came to Watertown government as a result of former City Manager Mary M. Corriveau leaving her $102,802-a-year position in April after the City Council decided not to renew her contract.

Earlier this week, council members unanimously agreed that Mr. Krol accomplished much during his 11 weeks as the interim city manager. They credited the retired Ogdensburg city manager for his professionalism, experience and knowledge of city government and a good relationship with them, department heads and other city staff.

“You really bailed us out,” Councilman Joseph M. Butler Jr. said.

Councilman Jeffrey M. Smith recalled how Mr. Krol was up for the city manager’s job about 10 years ago but pulled himself out of the running. Mr. Smith said they were fortunate to have Mr. Krol come out of retirement to help the city out.

Mr. Krol helped work out a deal to bring the Thousand Islands Privateers hockey team to the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds next season, guided council members through this year’s budget process and led the city manager search.

After being retired for seven years, Mr. Krol described his stint as “the easiest job I’ve ever had.” He told council members that his “primary goal was a smooth transition,” that included going “from one long-term city manager to another long-term city manager.”

During his time in Watertown, he earned a $10,000 fee for his consultant’s job and was paid $20,000 for the interim position for a total of $30,000, the maximum he could make under the state’s retirement system. He was paid $600 per day and worked two or three days a week.

It also cost the city $2,077.40 to place ads for the city manager’s search and about $500 in hotel bills for the final candidates to stay here for their interviews, he said.

On his last day on the job, he will meet Ms. Addison “to go over some things that she should be aware of” while she starts her $120,000-a-year job. She also will be introduced to city department heads and will meet with Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham and council members.

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