Norwich Mayor Shawn Sastri

NORWICH — Norwich Mayor Shawn Sastri has announced plans to resign from his position and take over as the city's Youth Bureau director.

Sastri said his resignation will take effect on July 18, and his position as Youth Bureau Director will likely begin the next day. A city meeting to discuss the changes and appoint Sastri to the new role is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 6.

Sastri explained that his passion for working with local youth and his prior working experience with current Youth Bureau Director Bob Mason sparked his interested in the job.

"I was interested enough in the position, and I worked with Bob Mason at the ice skating rink. It's working with youth and with my current full time job that's what I do, and it's something I enjoy doing," said Sastri. "I just felt like it was an opportunity to stay involved and give back to the youth, not only to the City of Norwich but to the area youth."

Sastri said his current salary as mayor is around $16,000. According to the proposal, the Youth Bureau Director salary is $17,538.

With only a few month left in his two-year term, Sastri said he knew the youth position was opening up and said he didn't want to miss the opportunity.