Saugus officials resume criticisms against Bisignani

SAUGUS – Former Nahant Town Administrator Andrew Bisignani?s resignation – or firing – last week has caused its own stir in Saugus, where Bisignani served as town manager for nine years prior to taking the job in Nahant.Bisignani gave his resignation Thursday to the Nahant Board of Selectmen, which he said was in response to a letter he received from the board. On Monday, the board released that letter, which stated that Bisignani was to resign per a “mutually agreeable termination” effective July 1, 2014. The terms of the termination, according to the letter, was a lump sum severance payment equal to six months salary and benefits.Saugus Town Meeting member Al DiNardo, who said he was a frequent “victim of backlash” of Bisignani?s during his nine-year tenure as town manager, said he was curious to hear what former Bisignani supporters were thinking in the week that followed Bisignani?s resignation. On Friday, as a state police crime scene van was parked outside of Nahant Town Hall, Essex County District Attorney?s Office spokesperson Carrie Kimball Monahan confirmed they are conducting an investigation in town, but she would not comment further except to say there were no arrests.Nahant officials, including Selectman Richard Lombard, said they suspected it was spillover from a Saugus investigation that began in July 2013, when the state Inspector General?s office requested all documents, communications and personnel files regarding Bisignani and relating to procurement from certain vendors.It also asked that all communication, including email, between Bisignani and all town staff “pertaining to any procurement or use of the vendors identified” and all personnel files for Bisignani, including “applications, contracts, direct deposit authorizations, IRS form W2s, etc,” be turned over as well.The request came after a series of audits conducted by Powers & Sullivan found $700,000 in “questionable purchases and costs” along with $1.3 million in purchases not in compliance with procurement laws, and $1.4 million in general fund-related payroll and expenses being charged to water and sewer accounts.DiNardo recalled Bisignani saying that several “town officials” knew of problems in the Saugus administration prior to the investigation. “I would like to know, who are these officials and are they in power now?” said DiNardo.Unrelated to the resignation, Bisignani still met criticism Monday at an Economic Development meeting in Saugus, when former Selectman Stephen Horlick blamed “our former town manager” for the lapse in development by letting go of the former economic development coordinator.Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian said he had “mixed feelings” over Bisignani?s resignation. “Saugus is still dealing with the effects and factions that developed as a result of his tenure here,” said Manoogian. “Saugus is still reflecting on that impact and what it meant for us.”Manoogian pointed to the tension between the current Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Scott Crabtree as an example of the political divide that he said was a result of Bisignani?s administration.Manoogian said despite his history with Bisignani, he wished “the people of Nahant all the best.”