UPDATE Stuart S. McCarthy, Westport Parks and Recreation director since 1989, will retire, First Selectman Jim Marpe announced today. A short time later, it was announced he will take over as Parks and Recreation director in Trumbull.
Stuart McCarthy: “Proud of the legacy I am leaving behind.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“I cannot thank Stuart enough for his years of service to the Town of Westport, and I wish him every success in his future endeavors,” Marpe said. “He has left a legacy in the Town of Westport that has distinguished our Parks and Recreation Department as second to none.”
McCarthy, 53, a lifelong Westporter, joined the Parks and Recreation Department in 1985 and was promoted to director in 1989. Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst announced his hiring for a similar position in Trumbull a short time after Marpe’s announcement.
“I have a true passion and love for the Town of Westport, and I’m proud of the legacy I am leaving behind,” McCarthy said in a statement. He said that legacy includes:
• “The construction of the new Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts;
• “The improvements to Longshore Club Park that include the tennis pavilion, the swimming pools and the golf course renovation and new course maintenance team;
• “The quality of the recreational programs we offer to all ages;
• “A parks and recreation staff that is second to none.”
McCarthy added, “I have assured the town that I would provide a suitable period of time to provide an appropriate and seamless transition.”
Stuart McCarthy has always been a strong supporter of Westport nonprofits. He was a model at a Westport Animal Shelter Advocates (WASA) event last October. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Charlie Haberstroh, Parks and Recreation Commission chairman, praised McCarthy’s tenure.
“Throughout Stuart’s 30 years of service to the Town of Westport, he always put the town’s interests first in both good and bad times,” he said.
“The citizens of Westport are truly fortunate to have been able to enjoy the parks, beaches and fine recreational facilities under his fine stewardship. We will miss his leadership and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Marpe indicated that he will work with Haberstroh, and the Parks and Recreation Commission members to determine an appropriate transition plan and successor for McCarthy, an announcement said.
In announcing McCarthy’s hiring, Herbst said: “Westport has a parks and recreation system that is second to none.
“Westport also has an outstanding municipal golf course. Stuart’s experience and track record in this regard make him the ideal candidate to assume this new position and fully implement the reorganization plan approved by the Trumbull voters in the 2011 Charter Revision.”
The Trumbull announcement quoted McCarthy as saying: “I am excited for the opportunity First Selectman Herbst has offered me to lead the Parks and Recreation Department for the Town of Trumbull.
“Trumbull has wonderful parks and recreation programs and facilities and I look forward to taking the department into the future.”
In retiring after almost 30 years and taking a position elsewhere, McCarthy follows a pattern not uncommon among municipal employees. Many have maxed out or almost maxed out on years of service on their pension plan and thus are able to collect a pension and earn a substantial salary elsewhere.
Westport’s police and fire ranks have filled open positions with veterans retiring from other departments. In many cases, there are substantial savings because the new hires are already certified for their new positions and the town saves on police or fire academy expenses.
Ten years ago, Westport Fire Chef Denis McCarthy retired at age 49 after 26 years of service in Westport to take over as fire chief in Norwalk. (See WestportNow April 1, 2005)
McCarthy’s successor, Chris Ackley, retired June 1, 2010 after 32 years service, only to be rehired under a contract which allowed him to continue as Westport’s chief for almost a year. He subsequently was hired for a position with the state’s Department of Homeland Security.
Former Westport Fire Deputy Chief Jonathan Gottfried retired in 2010 after 34 years service in Westport, was rehired under contract for two years, and subsequently took a job as deputy chief in Stratford. (See WestportNow Sept. 10, 2012)
Westport Finance Director Gary Conrad was hired in 2012 after serving 18 years as chief financial officer in New Canaan. (See WestportNow Jan. 3, 2012)
With Stuart’s departure, this would be the perfect time for the Town of Westport to consider reorganizing the Parks & Recreation Department by splitting its functions and leadership into two separate, but equal categories; one for Active Recreation and one for Passive Recreation.
As a former Parks & Rec. Commissioner, I know first-hand that our passive-use activities and spaces do not get as much care, feeding, publicity, management attention, or budget money, as our active-use activities and spaces do. User fees help fund active recreational needs and the users are easy to identify and organize. This, in turn, helps drive the attention paid to active recreational pursuits and spaces. Conversely, passive recreational spaces tend to get overlooked and underfunded because the users are, by nature, passive and less organized. Improvements to passive parks are rare if not absent.
Stuart’s expertise in active recreation has helped create great sports programs here in Westport. As he closes that door behind him, now would be the time to create job positions for two separate directors, one for passive, one for active. Each could possess the expertise and passion necessary to make ALL of Westport’s recreational activities and spaces excellent.
My congratulations go out to Stuart. I wish him the best of luck as he moves on to new things.