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University Park Town Councilman Ed DeSaussure (Ward 7) resigned Monday night and criticized the town's handling of several financial issues, including its enrollment of employees in the state pension system.

"I no longer want my name to be associated with the town's actions," he said in written remarks prepared for Monday's council meeting.

DeSaussure, 67, was elected in May 2008 as an unopposed write-in candidate and would have been up for re-election in May. He replaced former councilman Brad Carpenter, who had reached the maximum three consecutive two-year terms.

While on the council, DeSaussure often clashed with Mayor John Tabori and other council members. He was the council's most ardent opponent of the town's decision to enter its municipal employees into the State Retirement and Pension System.

Council members and residents spent months debating the $1.2 million plan, which provided the town's 25 employees with state pensions for future work, and more controversially paid them 70 percent backing for service prior to the plan's approval.

"I think it's an outrage to the citizens and the taxpayers," said DeSaussure, a retiree who is studying biology at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The council ultimately approved the plan in a 6-1 vote on June 15, hours after DeSaussure submitted a petition asking that the issue be decided by town referendum rather than council vote. His petition was rejected June 25 by the town's supervisors of elections, who said several signatures on the petition had been withdrawn by residents.

As a council member, DeSaussure frequently questioned spending measures and was part of a 6-1 majority that voted to scrap plans for a $27,000 town clock. During the public comment portion of Monday's meeting, he accused Tabori and other town officials of stifling dissent and not doing enough to cut spending during difficult economic times.

"I think his resignation was a surprise to us," said Councilwoman Margaret Mallino (Ward 1). "I think dissent is healthy but obstructionism is unhealthy."

Tabori said that while DeSaussure and other council members do "a great service to the town" by serving, he did not expect the councilman to quit over political disagreements.

"I've been in a minority of one on more than one occasion while on the council and as mayor," Tabori said. "I think you [should] soldier on."

According to its town charter, the town is now required to hold a special election in Ward 7 within the next 60 days. To be eligible, candidates must submit a petition with at least 10 signatures from ward residents. If no candidate comes forward, the mayor may appoint a replacement with council approval.

E-mail David Hill at dhill@gazette.net.