North Branford Parks and Rec Boss Quits After Dispute With Board

NORTH BRANFORD, CT - An ongoing dispute between the Parks and Recreation and Senior Director in town and certain members of the Park and Recreation Commission has erupted and resulted in the resignation of the director.

Lauren Murno submitted her "retirement letter" to the Town Council at its most recent meeting.

At the same meeting, the council accepted the resignation of Brian Lynch and Victor Palma from the Parks and Recreation Commission.

The exact reason for the dispute between the members and the director isn't clear, but in the minutes of the council meeting, Lynch is attributed as saying the following: "We are not there to supervise and micromanage the director. Some of the members have reached far beyond what the conception of the commission is."

Lynch goes on: "They reach out to her on a daily office, text, email and show up at her office, which hinders her from doing her job."

Lynch said his pleas to his fellow board memers to "stop micromanaging her were disregarded."

Lynch said there are three members of the Park and Recreation Commission who have been working in collaboration "in sync" and with the purpose of "blindsighting."

Lynch said he and Palma would come back on the commission if things were recitified - and - he said, he believes Munro really didn't want to leave her position.

North Branford Mayor Michael Doody indicated that "Lauren does a fantastic job and this needs to be resolved."

Munro told the board "that she is not able to stay under the current conditions." Munro did add, however, she would reconsider if the issue(s) if the Park and Rec members could be resolved.

After hearing the issues the Council voted to investigate what has been going on with the Park and Recreation Commission and report back before July 12th, which is the date of Munro's resignation.