Saugus appoints temporary, assistant harbormaster posts

SAUGUS – The Selectmen have named a temporary harbormaster and assistant harbormaster for a job that was once held by just one man.Since the position only costs the town $1, it is unlikely it will break the bank.Vincent Ciccolini held the post of harbormaster for 30 years, until his death in September.The town is now accepting applications/letters of interest to fill Ciccolini’s shoes and, in the interim, has appointed a temporary seat holder.Selectman Stephen Castinetti asked his colleagues to have Tom Falasca appointed temporary harbormaster during the board’s last meeting. He noted that the board was soliciting letters of interest, which were due in by Nov. 10 and Falasca would only serve until an appointment was made.Selectman Stephen Horlick said he would support it as long as it was only temporary. When he asked how many letters of interest the town had received thus far, Town Manager Andrew Bisignani said just one.Following the board’s approval of Falasca on an interim basis, Selectman Peter Rossetti nominated William Robinson to be Falasca’s assistant, which the board approved.”He is well qualified as well,” Rossetti said, adding he nominated Robinson because he knew he was also interested in the harbormaster job.The budget request for several years has been $500 for boat maintenance and $1 in salary for Ciccolini, but it has been a number of years since the harbormaster’s boat has actually been in the water. Bisignani said it is currently shrink wrapped and in dry dock.With no boat to maintain, Bisignani has only supported the $1 salary and the budget has been revised each year, including fiscal 2009 to reflect that.The harbormaster’s job involves monitoring the town’s navigable waterways, the moorings and pier at Fisherman’s Landing.Typically, Bisignani said he would simply wait for the Selectmen to appoint a replacement, but with issues surrounding pending work on the Belden Bly Bridge and plans for rehabbing the landing, he thought it best an interim be appointed.”We need representation and both Tom and Bill are experienced,” he said. “They both serve on the Waterways Commission and they’ll be fine.”