BETHANY, Conn. — Bethany parents are disappointed and desperate for support after they found out Friday that the Rec Room, a program run by the town Parks and Recreation Department, had been cut without any prior communication from the town.
“Time and time again the town just kind of lets us down,” said Bethany parent Mary York.
York has two young sons that attend Bethany Public Schools and were a part of the Rec Room program for years. She said she learned of its cancellation over social media, and had to email members of the Board of Selectmen multiple times for confirmation.
“I think what hurts is there was no planning, there was barely any communication and you know for a town that’s built on ‘family values,’ it seems like the families are coming last,” said York.
Bethany residents have been vocal about their concerns with town leaders since sexual assault allegations against a former Parks and Recreation and town employee surfaced earlier this summer.
Anthony Mastrangelo, 25, was arrested on June 25. He is accused of sexually assaulting at least four young girls during his time at the Parks and Recreation Department and then a fifth victim afterward.
His arrest sparked outrage among parents, who said town leaders kept them in the dark about the allegations.
The public outcry eventually led to the resignation of former Parks and Recreation Director Janice Howard on July 24.
Shortly after, Nicholas Bottone was appointed as interim director. He confirmed that he offered his resignation on Sept. 6.
A request through the town clerk’s office for a copy of that letter was not immediately answered.
While York joins about 40 families in scrambling to make new childcare accommodations, she said she’s disheartened by a seemingly ongoing lack of communication from the town.
“It’s been painful enough that people have to talk to their kids about sexual abuse and uncomfortable topics and now we have to have this last-minute conversation with their kids about why their whole routine is gone and why they’re not going to see their counselors again. So I just wish I could stop having uncomfortable conversations with my kids on the town’s behalf,” said York.
Bethany First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the cancellation of the program.
A special Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled to take place Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Bethany Town Hall.
Kaelee Collins is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at kcollins@fox61.com. Follow her on X, and Instagram.
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