John Sanguinet, Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen, is moving from his role as full-time assistant to a part-time position at the Water Pollution Control Facility.

Town Administrator Mark Andrews said the change was due to the expiration of Sanguinet's contract on December 28. He is now an independent contractor for the town.

"We're in a transition period," Andrews said. "The position that [Sanguinet] was in is going to evolve. It's going to be different than it is today."

Andrews said he hasn't chosen anyone to replace Sanguinet.

"I haven't filled [the position], it's really going to be a work in progress on this end," he said.

Sanguinet signed a 90-day contract for the new position, which will be "no more than a half-time position starting out," Andrews said. Sanguinet's hours will be subject to the needs of the facility.

It was not immediately clear what Sanguinet's new pay rate will be. He previously made in the low-$80,000 range as Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen, Andrews said.

Sanguinet will be working with plant director Guy Campinha to "set a very aggressive agenda" for the department, including helping to track and reduce departmental expenses, Andrews said.

"We've been revamping and reworking the facility to be more effective and to be as transparent as possible," Andrews said. Sanguinet "has a background and the understanding to help Mr. Campinha, who is new, move forward."

Campinha was hired last September. The plant had been without a director since April, when then-Superintendent David Simmons was laid off due to budgetary concerns.

Sanguinet was hired by the town in early 2008, as assistant to the Board of Selectmen and to then-Town Administrator John McAuliffe. When McAuliffe was fired in June of 2008, Sanguinet served as Interim Town Administrator until Andrews was hired in December of 2009.

"John stepped in at a very, very trying time for this town. He held it together," said Selectman Brenda Eckstrom at Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting. "I hope every sewer user is very grateful that he has agreed to stay on with us for a few more months to help us try to straighten out another area of town."

Selectmen Chair Jane Donahue echoed that sentiment after the meeting. "John is very good at what he does," she said. "We appreciate his service and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."

Sanguinet could not immediately be reached for comment. We will update this story when more information becomes available.