Temporary Saugus town manager to step down

SAUGUS – Temporary Town Manager John Vasapolli said he has “served his tour of duty” as interim manager after submitting a letter of resignation recently effective March 31.Vasapolli, who also serves as Town Counsel, was appointed on a temporary basis after former manager Andrew Bisignani resigned on Jan. 6. Vasapolli said at the time he didn?t want to serve more than three months, which he reiterated during a phone interview on Wednesday.Click to view Vasapolli’s resignation letter.?As you know I have a very busy law practice,” said Vasapolli. “God put me on this earth to be a lawyer. I love being the town lawyer. I just don?t feel that I?m doing the town justice by being in there as a temporary person. They really need a permanent town manager in there, especially now in view of these financial issues.”In his letter, Vasapolli cited the ongoing “unprecedented violations of municipal finance and bid laws” along with the upcoming budget season and staffing issues as matters that should be handled by a permanent town manager.Vasapolli said auditors from Powers and Sullivan are on track to complete their forensic audit by the end of the month. While he noted they have not indicated whether there will be any criminal charges, Vasapolli acknowledged the preliminary findings issued last month have been confirmed.?Because of the nature of the audit, being a fraud audit ? they can?t really give piecemeal reports,” said Vasapolli.With a little more than two weeks until Vasapolli steps down, Selectmen Chairman Mike Serino said around 15 applications have been sent in since the job was posted on Feb. 16, and the board will go through the applications in executive session on Monday and Tuesday. Applicants will then be narrowed down and interviewed the following week, with a final appointment made by April 3, about a month-and-a-half after the job was posted.?We need someone really fast considering the situation the town is in financially,” said Serino.Other towns in the area, including Nahant and Swampscott, saw up to 70 applicants and formed search committees that took as long as six months to make a decision.Serino, who took over as chairman when Scott Crabtree stepped down last month to pursue the Town Manager job, said Crabtree is not a sure thing for the position.?I wouldn?t say so at all,” said Serino. “As far as people criticizing public officials, I?m kind of used to it. It doesn?t really rattle me up too much. It?s part of what you have to put up with when you?re a public official.”Selectman Steve Castinetti acknowledged that he understands the “perception” about Crabtree being a “shoo in,” but said he will review every application the board received.?I?ve heard a lot of things about him stepping down from the board that he wouldn?t do it unless he was a shoo in,” said Castinetti. “I have to tell you, he?s got no more weight than anybody that?s applying for this job. I?m going to make the best choice for the town. If that turns out to be him then so be it. I can guarantee you right now, that in my mind he is not a shoo in, but I can?t speak for anybody but myself.”Selectman Julie Mitchell, who was appointed to the board after Crabtree stepped down, also said she?s going to consider every applicant.?We have to read everything through and check everything out,” said Mitchell. “We haven?t looked at anything yet. We have a lot of guidelines and things we went through as a board. I would like to see someone from the town. That would be my main goal, but obviously if there is someone who doesn?t live in town and is a good fit that?s the way I?d like to go.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].