Local Social Services Director Fired

By Dottie Evans

Glynis Lanzetta, who had worked as Newtown’s director of social services since December 1999, was relieved of her position last week and the post will not be filled in the immediate future, according to First Selectman Herb Rosenthal.

Mr Rosenthal commented Friday, May 16, that the town is currently under a hiring freeze so that the position of social services director will be listed as a temporary vacancy along with several other vacancies in town, such as in the police department and in the public works department.

 “I plan to sit down with the social services department and with the agencies they serve, to be sure their needs are being met,” Mr Rosenthal said.

The director of social services oversees a department with a proposed 2003–2004 budget of $65,910. Its current budget is $63,136. The department has oversight over Senior Center Director Marilyn Place, and includes an outreach worker and municipal agent for the elderly, as well as a part-time secretary. Ms Lanzetta’s salary is listed at $46,566. The Senior Center has its own budget under the Commission on Aging.

The social services office directs the general assistance programs for the town including the cold weather fuel assistance program, and it provides social casework for individuals and families. It also acts as the liaison to local and state social services agencies.

Although Mr Rosenthal declined to comment upon the circumstances of Ms Lanzetta’s departure, he said that he had “the utmost confidence in the people who are currently with the social services department and at the Senior Center, that they will be able to handle the needs as they arise.”

He also said that for the interim, he plans to handle necessary administrative oversight and “pick up the slack if necessary, to see that all services to the elderly are continued.”

“The public should not be concerned,” Mr Rosenthal added.

At the social services’ Town Hall South office Monday morning, Municipal Agent Ann Piccini, who works with the elderly and the disabled population and who has worked in the social services office for 15 years, wanted to reassure their clients that she and Secretary Joanne Klopfenstein would do their utmost to maintain services.

“None our programs will suffer. Nor will the holiday food drives. Women In Newtown (WIN) will continue with their Thanksgiving baskets and the Newtown Fund will continue with the Christmas baskets. The FAITH food pantry will stay open,” Ms Piccini said.

“I haven’t had the chance yet to sit down with the first selectman to talk about any changes he might want to make here. Meanwhile, we’ll carry on as before,” she added.

When asked to give further details about the circumstances under which Ms Lanzetta left the job, the first selectman declined to comment.

“She is no longer working for the town,” he said, “and that is all I am going to say about the matter.”

‘Suited For The Job’

Ms Lanzetta was reached for comment Tuesday at her Newtown home.

She said that she is still dealing with the realization of what happened, that it came “out of the blue,” and that she is “in a state of shock” because of the suddenness of her job termination.

“My reviews were good and I had recently received a merit increase,” she added.

“I feel people were appreciative of what we have been doing,” she said.

She added that “Marilyn [Place] at the senior center will continue to do an excellent job.”

Regarding the possibility of the office functioning without a director, Ms Lanzetta commented that she did not see how the first selectman or Human Resources Director Carol Ross would be able to cover all possible contingencies.

“I have a strong background in crisis intervention. You never know who is going to walk in the door. Obviously, I’m not the only person who can do that job. I felt very suited for this job. Newtown is a generous community and being able to [work here] was satisfying.”

Ms Lanzetta added that although she feels “wronged” and that she should look into taking some legal action, she is not ready to take that step yet. For the future, she feels she has a wealth of experience and will not have difficulty finding another job.

“There have been many cuts in social services statewide. People don’t have a clue as to what the need is out there,” she added.