WATERBORO — Longtime Parks and Recreation Director Michael DeAngelis has resigned. 

DeAngelis, who was on paid administrative leave for a period of time last fall and then on medical leave, signed a separation agreement Jan. 31, according to Town Administrator Gary Lamb. The time period for reconsideration expired at midnight Tuesday.

DeAngelis last fall had briefly been the subject of an investigation into what Lamb had called “communications issues.” Lamb in November  confirmed that DeAngelis was initially placed on paid administration leave Nov. 7 and the investigation commenced.

Lamb said that the administrative leave was suspended when DeAngelis requested and was granted medical leave Nov. 18.

DeAngelis in November said the situation was a confidential matter.

“It’s medical stuff; all of it is,” said DeAngelis at the time.

Lamb in the earlier interview declined to be more specific about the initial paid administrative leave, citing the town’s personnel policy. On Tuesday he would say only that the communications issues were work-related.

“He chose this,” said Lamb when asked if DeAngelis was asked to resign.

The town administrator said he is planning to appoint Todd Smith, who has long worked in the Parks and Recreation Department, as interim director. As well, he said he hopes to remove some duties from the parks and recreation domain, such as mowing fields and cutting brush and other similar tasks, to the town’s Public Works Department, pending passage of the next budget in June.

Under the scenario, the part-time public works director position would become full-time, and the town would hire a seasonal worker for that department.

He said if that happens, it will leave the Parks and Recreation Department in a better position to develop more programs.

“We’d like to do more for seniors,” said Lamb.

DeAngelis led the Parks and Recreation Department for 16 years. According to the separation agreement, a public document, the town will pay DeAngelis $10,000 — about half of which is for vacation, sick, holiday and longevity pay and the remainder as severance for his years of service.

“We thank Mike for his 16 years of service to Waterboro families,” said Lamb.

-Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells may be reached at 282-1535, ext. 327; or at 324-4444 or at: twells@journaltribune.com.