BETHANY, Connecticut — To say parents are angry is an understatement, as a special meeting held in Bethany left them with more questions than answers.
Dozens of town residents filled the Bethany Town Hall gym Tuesday night, demanding answers from town leaders for nearly three hours. Several residents directed much of their anger at First Selectwoman Paula Cofrancesco.
“You did not say a word to any of these Park and Rec parents that there’s a pedophile on the loose in Bethany,” shared one Bethany resident.
“You’re acting like you know nothing. Stop acting,” added another.
Residents had created a petition demanding transparency after a Board of Selectman meeting held in early July did not explain why town officials never informed them that former Parks and Rec employee, Anthony Mastrangelo, allegedly sexually abused several young girls.
Mastrangelo also held positions as a substitute teacher, volunteer and intern at Bethany Public Schools.
Though Mastrangelo was removed from working directly with children when the allegations first came forward in December of 2022, he remained on staff for another six months.
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At Tuesday night’s meeting, both Cofrancesco and the town attorney claimed that since the allegations came forward, changes have been made to Parks and Recreation policies. These include a “hands-off” policy in which staff is prohibited from having children sit on their laps, giving ‘piggy back’ rides, etc.
They added that security cameras were installed in the annex earlier this month.
Still, parents remained furious that they only learned of the allegations in late June when Mastrangelo was arrested.
Hopes for clarity Tuesday night quickly faded once the crowd was informed that Parks and Recreation Director Janice Howard sought legal counsel and would not be attending.
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It was also revealed and confirmed by Cofrancesco that she has a personal relationship with Mastrangelo’s family, having even gone on vacations together.
Mastrangelo was additionally employed by Cofrancesco's husband after being let go from the Parks and Rec Department.
Calls for Howard to be fired and Cofrancesco to resign are intensifying.
A special Select Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday night to discuss “disciplinary action” for Howard.
Mastrangelo is due back in court July 31 to enter a plea for multiple sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor charges.
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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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