IPSWICH — Former Ipswich Town Manager Bob Markel resigned abruptly from his new post in Kittery, Maine, this week.
Markel and Kittery police Chief Paul Callaghan resigned together Monday night, citing town politics.
Markel was hired as Kittery’s town manager in the fall of 2011. He left his post in Ipswich on Jan. 1, 2012, after leading the town for seven years.
Markel and Callaghan’s resignations come in the wake of a controversy involving the Kittery Police Department.
Officers took a vote of no confidence in the police chief last fall.
Markel’s resignation letter says he resigned because of three town councilors “who have interfered with personnel administration and acted in direct violation of the town charter.”
He said some councilors have relatives in the Police Department or close business relationships with the police.
Kittery’s council voted 4-3 to accept Markel’s resignation Monday night.
Markel was known on the North Shore for playing an instrumental part in reforming the troubled Essex County Regional Retirement Board.
Before to coming to Ipswich, Markel was the town manager of Norfolk. He served as mayor of Springfield from 1992 to 1996.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this article.
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