The recent resignation of Londonderry Town Manager, Mike Malaguti, may not have been a shock to many of the residents in town, but it came just six-months after a three-year contract extension.
The Town Council and Malaguti negotiated a new contract in April of this year on a contract that wasn’t due to expire until Feb. 25, 2025.
Between his newest contract and an amendment given to him in July of 2023, Malaguti received a $14,375 raise from his original salary of $130,000, and it also extended the termination lump-sum payout from four to six-months.
The contract did however state that if the Town Manager resigned, he would not be entitled to a payout,
“In the event Malaguti intends to resign his position with the Town before the expiration of the term of this Agreement, he shall provide the Council with advance notice of not less than 60 days. In the event that Malaguti resigns as Town Manager, he shall not be entitled to payment of any severance, compensation or benefits. In the event Malaguti fails to provide the Town with advance notice of his resignation of at least 60 days, Malaguti shall pay to the Town a lump-sum cash payment equal to two month’s’ aggregate salary, representing liquidated damages, as any calculation of damages would be difficult to ascertain.”
During his somewhat short tenure as Town Manager, Mike Malaguti has seen 11 positions vacated at Town Hall. Those positions were either terminated or the employees chose to leave.
The positions include: The recent resignation of Fire Chief Bo Butler; the elimination of the Associate Town Planner, Laura Gandia, let go Jan. 17, 2023; two Town Planners; two land use assistants; two Executive Assistants to the Town Manager; a GIS Manager/Comprehensive Planner; an Assessing Assistant and a Payroll Clerk.
Laura Gandia and her husband, Chris Gandia, were severed with a No Trespass Order on Jan. 26, 2023 by Malaguti shortly after her termination.
One year ago, Malaguti and the town, lost a case against former Town Councilor, Deb Paul, where the judge concluded a Sexual Harassment complaint against Paul by Malaguti was frivolous, ordered the town to pay Paul’s legal fees and provide her with a copy of the complaint.
The court action cost the taxpayers approximately $15,000.
At last week’s Planning Board meeting, members voiced their frustration with what is current state of service in Town Hall.
Town Council liaison, Shawn Farber, mentioned that Malaguti is not currently “actively involved” in operations.
Planning Board Chair, Jake Butler, said that even with Kellie Caron, the assistant Town Manager, back, we’re very short. Meaning there are staffing issues in need of being addressed.
Butler said, “The institutional knowledge inside of the Planning Department is gone. It left two years ago.”
Members asked Farber about the state of Malaguti’s role in town, to which he responded, “I can’t speak to that.”
Members also questioned why the Assistant Town Manager wasn’t at the meeting.
Reaching out to Town Council Chair, Chad Franz on who is currently running the town. He responded, “I don’t have any update to provide at this time.”