Bisignani seeks end to rancor in Saugus

SAUGUS – Town Manager Andrew Bisignani is calling for an end to the “he said/she said” blame game that’s been raging in town regarding the tax rate, and asking for the beginning of an effort to working together.”This has all been overblown. All this controversy over who’s responsible is causing nothing but dissension and upheaval,” he said. “We need to work together. This is not in the best interest of the town.”The dissension is largely a result over the lack of a tax rate. One side is arguing that an unbalanced budget is all that stands between the town and a tax rate. The other side argues however that the only reason the tax rate isn’t set is because the Department of Revenue has failed to certify the valuations and, therefore, there must be something wrong with the valuations.DOR spokesman Robert Bliss said there is a little truth in both statements but, instead, the lack of a balanced budget is driving the issue. Conversations between the state and the town over the valuations have been typical, especially given it is a revaluation year, Bliss added.”None of this controversy was started by me,” Bisignani added. “I didn’t call DOR. I accepted what the Finance Committee recommended and what Town Meeting voted. I moved forward.”Bisignani is referring to Town Meeting members voting down the funding of the teacher’s contract on the recommendation of the Finance Committee. That vote resulted in the budget being out of whack by approximately $30,000.While he lobbied against the vote, Bisignani said once it was made he turned to developing a plan to balance the budget.”That’s the articles on the special Town Meeting warrant,” he said referring to the Jan. 28 special Town Meeting. “I just don’t know what purpose all this (controversy) serves. I’m not pointing fingers . . . let’s just get the tax bills out.”