By Gretchen Webster

WESTPORT — The Parks and Recreation Department has been operating without a director for eight months since Jennifer Fava resigned from the post May 8 to take a similar job in Darien.

That period encompassed the spring and summer seasons, the busiest time for the town’s recreational facilities and activities, with the beaches, Longshore Golf Course and sports leagues in full swing.

And as Parks Supt. Michael West departs this week to become assistant director of Ridgefield’s Parks and Recreation Department, the impact on Westport’s department will be even greater with two of its top administrative posts vacant. West was hired by the town in October 2021.

In the immediate aftermath of Fava’s departure,  Rick Giunta, the deputy director, filled in on an interim basis, but last October “transitioned out of the interim director role and resumed his position as deputy director,” according to a statement from Candice Holley, the town’s director of human resources.

In the meantime, Holley said in the statement, the human resources staff and First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker “have been actively interviewing and sourcing candidates.” Because of “specialized roles of this nature,” she added, “the average time to fill can range from six to 12 months due to the importance of finding the right fit.”

It’s not easy to find a director able to manage the many components of Westport’s department, agreed David Floyd, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

“It’s a unique position,” he said. “There’s not many towns that have boating and a golf course and parks and a robust recreation program like we have.”

Floyd, himself a professional recruiter for real estate firms, said he also has interviewed prospective candidates for the parks and recreation post after initial interviews conducted by senior town employees and human resources staff.

“This is a high priority,” he said. “We want to get someone going before summer.”

To fill the void, other town employees are pitching in, including First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker taking on some management duties, town Operations Director Tom Kiely helping in several areas, and West, prior to his departure, oversaw golf equipment purchases. Giunta and Operations Manager Carmen Roda also are handling extra duties, Floyd said.

“It’s all hands on deck so that things continue to go smoothly as we get ready for the summer,” he said.

“I do know the administration is actively working on filling the job,” said Selectwoman Andrea Moore, who interviews candidates for volunteer positions on the town’s boards and commissions, but not for staff positions. 

“It is a very important role and needs to be the right person,” she said.

Chris Tait, chairman of the Representative Town Meeting’s Parks and Recreation Committee, said the panel is not involved in the hiring process, but looks forward to working with a new director.

Freelance writer Gretchen Webster, a Fairfield County journalist for many years, was editor of the Fairfield Minuteman and has taught journalism at New York and Southern Connecticut State universities.