Turf Expert Hired To Head Newtown Park Operations

By Steve Bigham

Carl Samuelson, a former golf course superintendent, has been hired by the town to head the Parks and Recreation maintenance department.

He takes over a position that had been held by the late Ron Moffatt since 1985. Mr Moffatt died in March.

Mr Samuelson, 31, was selected from a list of 32 candidates. He holds a degree in professional turf grass management from Rutgers University. After college, he spent six years as the golf course superintendent at Candlewood Valley Country Club in New Milford. Since March, he has worked for Devine Brothers, Inc in Norwalk where he helped develop a landscape product for contractor clients.

Mr Samuelson, a Woodbury resident, will hold the title of “Assistant Director – Parks Operations,” a new position recently created by the town. He will be responsible for the management of park functions, including the planning and recommending of maintenance of parks, fields, and school fields and grounds. The assistant director will also supervise the parks and grounds staff.

Mr Samuelson begins work next week and will immediately make assessments on the condition of all town athletic fields. He also looks forward to the added challenge of maintaining the new athletic complex at Newtown High School and future fields at Fairfield Hills.

“I’m really excited about coming to Newtown. I’m hoping to utilize my turf grass background to improve field conditions. There’s not much you can do about too much play, but the town seems to be addressing these issues with the future possibilities at Fairfield Hills and at the schools,” he said.

Mr Samuelson said he will look at the fields in Newtown as one giant golf course and anyone who knows golf understands the amount of care they receive.

Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian said Mr Samuelson brings a lot of supervisory turf experience and new and innovative ideas to the department.

“I’m looking forward to the expertise that he can bring to the parks department and his field of expertise in turf management,” she said.

With the town’s surge in population in recent years, the sports programs continue to expand. Softball, baseball, lacrosse, and soccer teams are desperate for more field space. In recent years, the Parks and Recreation Commission has referred to the town’s field shortage as a crisis.

With the impending purchase of Fairfield Hills, the Town of Newtown finds itself in a transitional phase. New athletic fields are part of the reuse plan for the campus and a more up-to-date maintenance plan will be required. Town officials say Carl Samuelson is their man.