The Newtown Youth & Family Services Board Failed To Post Meetings After Chair Resigned

By John Voket

The Newtown Youth & Family Services Board apparently conducted two illegal meetings following the resignation of its co-chair Chris Gardner in early October. According to a spokesperson for the agency’s board, one meeting was held “several days after receiving the resignation,” and then the NYFS board reportedly held its regular meeting Monday, October 27.

But neither meeting was officially posted, according to Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia, and no records of those meetings appear on the town website schedule. Since NYFS receives significant public funding and it serves as the municipality’s official youth agency, it is required to abide by the same Freedom of Information guidelines as elected and appointed boards.

The agency received $214,000 in taxpayer support this fiscal year, based on the town budget posted with the Finance Department. The agency also receives additional private donations, as well as funding from state and federal programs and the regional United Way.

The agency is requesting $270,000 from the town to supplement its proposed 2009 fiscal year budget.

The committee is required to post warning notices in advance of any meetings with the town clerk, and on the town website per Connecticut Freedom of Information rules. Once minutes of the illegal meetings are made available, it should be determined whether or not official business was transacted by the group.

Typically, the board or committee in question may be required to advertise and hold the meetings again to move and act upon any motions or official business.

This week, The Bee made a routine call to Mr Gardner following up on a NYFS matter and learned he had resigned from the group in early October. Mr Gardner said he hand delivered a single copy of his official resignation to Layne Lescault, the group’s co-chair.

A copy of that letter was not made publicly available either. First Selectman Joe Borst said he was aware of Mr Gardner’s resignation “a couple of weeks ago,” and said he was sad to see him go.

Mr Gardner confirmed the news in a brief email to The Bee on October 28.

“This is to confirm that I have resigned both as chairman and a member of the Board of Directors of Newtown Youth & Family Services effective October 3,” Mr Gardner wrote.

“Serving my community on the board of an agency like Newtown Youth & Family Services has been a tremendous honor,” he continued. “So many people generously give their time, talent and finances to the agency to improve their neighbors’ lives. There were many success stories in the years that I was involved. I’m proud to have had the opportunity to be part of it.”

While Ms Lescault could not be reached for comment, ranking board member Ron Pekrul said efforts to meet with Mr Gardner regarding his resignation will be initiated.

“Prior to leaving, Layne was going to try and meet with Chris and discuss issues regarding that resignation, but the timing was not good as she was scheduled to leave [on vacation] the same day,” Mr Pekrul said.

Mr Pekrul said NYFS remains committed to its mission, and is moving forward with several new board members and “a lot of new and exciting things to be announced,” in the coming weeks.

Under Mr Gardner’s leadership, the agency successfully merged with the local family counseling agency and relocated its headquarters from Sandy Hook to Church Hill Road, adjacent to the town’s Hawley Elementary and Newtown Middle Schools. He was also instrumental in expanding funding sources and promotion of the agency, including initiating an annual benefit road race, a charity automobile raffle, and a Project Vote Smart partnership.

While Mr Gardner’s name has been removed from the directors and staff page of the agency’s website, a photo of the former co-chair and his son was still posted on the agency’s home page on the morning of October 30. In speaking to The Bee, Mr Gardner said his departure was abrupt, and was not the way he would have chosen to end his long-tenured volunteer service to the agency.

“I did not come to this decision lightly, and I regret that my tenure on the board had to end before my term expired in two years,” he wrote in his email response. “But for several reasons the time was right to go. I’ll leave it at that.”