Bisignani’s ‘raise’ stirs Saugus ire

SAUGUS – Town Manager Andrew Bisignani has either received a raise or protected a previously existing benefit depending on who is asked, but either way it has stirred up controversy yet again.The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 Thursday in executive session to roll an educational incentive benefit given to Bisignani in 2006 into his salary. The move prompted some critics to call the salary boost a raise, but others argued that Bisignani’s bottom line remains the same.Selectman Stephen Horlick said he told his colleagues he wanted to clarify his position on the issue since he voted against moving the line item.”I need to just sit down and see how the town will be turned around financially,” he said, before turning toward Bisignani. “It’s not you. It wouldn’t matter who was sitting in that chair.”Horlick said with financial issues plaguing every department in town, he couldn’t support shifting the incentive to the manager’s salary.He said he’d first need to sit with the manager and discuss goals and objectives.Selectman Michael Kelleher all but called the explanation ridiculous.”That meeting last Thursday caused some confusion, if I’m kind about it, or confutation if I’m not,” he said.Kelleher said if Bisignani was given a raise he’d be the first to admit to it, but the manager’s salary is unchanged.He also noted that last year’s budget which included the incentive was approved by the board, the Finance Committee and, although Town Meeting discussed removing the line item, it also ultimately approved the budget in tact.”We simply rolled his educational incentive into his salary, we did not recommend one penny more,” Kelleher said.Bisignani said he could give Horlick his goals and objectives in two words, “financial stability.”He also said once the tax bills have been rectified and the special Town Meeting dealt with, he’d be glad to sit with the board to discuss other goals.”I plan to submit a budget that will project two years out, though I doubt how reliable the information will be, given the volatility of our finances,” he said.Horlick said that is fine, but he wanted to see that information before he voted.”And I think the board should have waited to vote,” he added.