Bisignani hands in resignation

NAHANT – In a transaction that lasted less than 10 minutes and garnered very little discussion, Town Administrator Andrew Bisignani relinquished his position during Thursday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.”I prepared a letter of resignation effective July, 1, 2014,” he told the board just prior to its adjournment.Bisignani said he wrote the letter in response to a communication the board sent to him. He declined to comment on the letter from the board as did Selectman Richard Lombard.In his letter of resignation, Bisignani said it has become clear that the town needs a full-time administrator to meet the needs of the community, but he cannot fill that role.The board voted 2-1 in December 2011 to hire Bisignani as the full-time manager with part-time pay. At the time, Lombard called it a win-win for the community.Then-Selectman Lainey Titus abstained from the vote out of concern for the precedent it was setting to hire a full-time manager at part-time pay. Bisignani has been paid $44,400 for his efforts and received no health-care benefits, paid vacation or holiday or sick time, according to his contract. He will, however, receive six months of severance as stipulated by the contract.To make up for loss of benefits, Bisignani officially retired when he left his former job as town manager in Saugus. His formal retirement allowed him to collect retirement benefits from the state while limiting the number of hours he could work and money he could make to supplement his benefits.Selectman Michael Manning said Thursday that he thought Bisignani has done a good job and he thanked him for his service.”We want to extend to you our best wishes in your new endeavors,” he said.Bisignani called it a pleasure to work for the town, said he had some good memories and would plan to stay involved and remain a lifelong resident.He does not plan to work for another community, however. Bisignani said he’s taken a job in the private sector.”After 37 and a half years, I’m done,” he said.Manning asked that Chairman Perry Barrasso look into finding an interim town administrator, which the board approved.Barrasso and Town Counsel Charles Riley also wished Bisignani well.”Good luck and thanks,” said Lombard. “That’s all I can say.”