Begins Work In August-New Rec Director Named
Begins Work In Augustâ
New Rec Director Named
By Kendra Bobowick
Resident Amy Mangoldâs first day on the clock as Newtownâs new Parks and Recreation Department director will be August 27.
âGreat. Itâs wonderful,â said assistant director RoseAnn Reggiano. First Selectman Joe Borst is also pleased. Considering the points on her résumé and history of work with the recreation department, he said, âI think she is well qualified for the job. I think she is a good choice.â
As just one of two internal applicants interested in filling the spot held by Barbara Kasbarian for 35 years, Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Edward Marks noted that the committee of three commission members and three out-of-town recreation professionals found the decision âvery, very tough.â Two impressive candidates faced the hiring committee.
âWe had two strong candidates and both had compelling cases,â Mr Marks said this week. Despite the difficult choice, Mr Marks is pleased to soon welcome Ms Mangold to the job. âShe showed a passion during discussionsâ that encouraged the chairman. The end of August promises the beginning of a career boost in the recreation department for Ms Mangold, formerly the Teen Center supervisor, but as Mr Marks noted, âSheâll need to hit the ground running.â What will be the toughest part of the new job in his view? âGetting on board with things weâre planning for next year.â
Capital Improvement Plans including repairs to the maintenance building on Tradeâs Lane are among projects she will be facing. Another project looms. A community/senior center slated to go up in Fairfield Hills adjacent to the new Newtown Youth Academy is another long-term project tugging hard at the recreation departmentâs attention.
The multiphased community center must pass rounds of approvals, from funding to design phases, while maintaining its appeal to youth, a sector of the public relying on recreational facilities, and seniors. Yearly department budgets also await the new director.
Mr Marks expressed his hope that retired director Barbara Kasbarian will continue to ease Ms Mangold into the job and remain the âresourceâ she has been in a part-time capacity as Ms Mangold sets herself up in the corner office in Town Hall South.
Meet Amy Mangoldâ¦
Ms Mangold has 21 years of supervisory involvement with the recreation department. Currently she is the Teen Center supervisor, and her résumé includes a bullet list of 13 strengths, including âStrong relationships with town leaders,â âTeen Center programs became a model for Connecticut towns,â and âRecognized by Connecticut Magazine for Teen Centerâs success.â
Ms Mangoldâs experience for the post reaches back to college, where she earned a degree in recreation and leisure from Southern Connecticut State University. She is certified, trained, and qualified in areas including CPR, outdoor leadership, canoeing, rock climbing, basic water safety, and playground safety. Her town and public involvement is extensive. She is the executive board treasurer of the Newtown Republican Town Committee, a member of the Chamber of Commerce Tree Lighting Committee, a Newtown High School Band Parent Cooperation member, and member of the PTA, National Parks and Recreation Association, and more.
Her job requires that she plan, develop, promote, and manage a comprehensive Parks and Recreation program, and take responsibility for school field and grounds management. She will work with the recreation commission and under the first selectmanâs supervision. Ms Mangold will be responsible for managing personnel, activities, contract services, preparing short- and long-term plans for recreational needs, preparing the annual department budget, coordinating the departmentâs work with other government, commercial, and private agencies, and standing as a department representative.