BETHANY, Conn. (WTNH) — After an employee was charged with alleged sexual assault, the assistant director on administrative leave and the director resigned, Bethany officials said the entire Parks and Recreation Department is in limbo.
Hundreds of parents express outrage over Bethany sexual assault allegations “Things happened and now we need to move forward in a positive direction,” Bethany First Selectwoman Paula Cofrancesco said.
Cofrancesco said Interim Parks and Rec Director Nicholas Bottone resigned on Friday, forcing the town to cancel its before and after school programs this week.
“He was put in a difficult spot from the get go,” Cofrancesco said. “Stepped up when he really didn’t have to because of all the other stuff going on.”
The lack of childcare left families scrambling.
“I feel bad for all these families,” Bethany parent Naomi Rosenstein said. “It puts parents in a tricky predicament.”
Parents said that the lack of notice of the sexual assault investigation on an employee also put them in a predicament.
“When the scandal happened and broke out, we lost faith in the parks and rec department and immediately pulled her,” Bethany parent Jess Pagonis said. “So now we were left to scramble and figure out our own childcare arrangements.”
Bethany Parks & Rec director resigns following public scrutiny Tuesday night, Bethany officials held a special meeting to discuss a different childcare option, bringing students to the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Woodbridge. The after-school program contract would span through June, with a minimum 25 kids and maximum 46. The town said they currently have 50.
“I would love to put my daughter in the JCC if spots become available,” Pagonis said.
The hours would also be slightly different, starting 20 minutes later at 3:30pm and ending a half an hour early at 5:30 p.m.
The main concern among parents was the higher price. Families currently pay $12 per day at Parks and Rec, while the JCC agreed to lower their daily rate to $20 a day.
“They knew what kind of bind we were in and have been working beautifully with us to help us provide for our families,” Cofrancesco said.
Bethany Parks & Rec director under fire for response to employee’s sexual assault allegations Students would also need transportation to Woodbridge, which would cost $200 a day that the JCC agreed to split. That’s where the town’s finance committee stepped in and ultimately agreed to cover transportation and use the vacant Parks and Recreation Director’s salary to cover the eight dollar a day differential to help families.
Where parents will have to pay double is school vacation weeks, going from $195 for Parks and Recreation to $425 a week at the JCC.
To sign up, parents must submit documentation, that the town will be sending out, by Thursday morning.
“I know some families this is going to be a cost restraint for them, and they may not be able to pursue this option for them so hopefully the town is able to provide whatever aid they are able to,” Pagonis said.
As for the before-school program, the town is currently working out the final details with the Bethany Community School in town and is hoping to have a soft-opening with the current students enrolled by September 23rd.
The Board of Selectmen will be holding a meeting next Thursday to discuss appointing a Parks and Recreation Committee to oversee the department and help it rebuild. No word if the town’s before and after school program or summer camp will be returning at all.
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