Town Manager Maria Capriola is resigning from service, tentatively on May 1st. Ms. Capriola began serving as the Town’s first Town Manager in January, 2018. She has served the community for five years. Ms. Capriola is appointed by the six-member Board of Selectmen and serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the organization. She oversees day-to-day operations, in addition to implementing Board of Selectmen goals, ordinances, and policies.
First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis said, “On behalf of the Town of Simsbury, I want to thank Simsbury Town Manager Maria Capriola for her dedicated service and commitment in her role as our Chief Executive Officer for the last 5 years. As the first Town Manager following the Charter revision change in Simsbury’s form of government, Ms. Capriola was critical in helping our town staff and volunteers on all Boards and Commissions through this transition. We wish her nothing but success in her new position.”
Ms. Capriola stated, “The organization is in a stronger and more resilient position today than it was five years ago. I am confident that our residents and stakeholders will continue to receive outstanding, quality services during the upcoming transition. We have a team of hard working, ethical, caring, dedicated and talented people serving this community. Their commitment to our community is worthy of acknowledgment as I reflect on my time here.”
“Maria is one of the most ethical, hard-working people I've had the pleasure to work with,” said Selectman Eric Wellman. “She has built an incredible team and championed a culture of accountability and customer service in Town Hall to serve our residents at the highest level. She will be deeply missed.”
Selectman Sean Askham said, “Maria Capriola has been an outstanding Town Manager for our community. I am so very sad to lose her talents, thoughtfulness, creative solutions and passion for her profession. Her hard work these past five years has set Simsbury for continued success and I am truly grateful for her partnership. She will be missed.”
Selectman Chris Peterson added “I had the opportunity to participate in Maria's selection. I know we made the right decision and I count myself lucky to have learned from her.”
Over the last five years Ms. Capriola has worked closely with elected officials and staff to make significant infrastructure investments for our community - roads, sidewalks, trails, renovations to the Middle School and Latimer Lane Elementary School, widespread replacement of our parks and playground infrastructure, technology improvements, preservation of Meadowood, and the creation of a community gem - our new park Hopbrook Landing at the Flower Bridge. Many of these projects are in various stages of development, with a number of them scheduled for construction and installation in 2023 & 2024. The town experienced new growth in excess of two percent for the last four consecutive years, something that had only occurred once in the 20 years prior (outside of revaluation years).
The Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, and its legal counsel have met this week to begin transition planning. All involved will work towards creating a responsible plan that ensures stability and continuity of our services. The Town is working towards identifying an Interim Town Manager to ensure that our residents are served at the highest level during the transition.
