Mayor Put Rec Director On Leave, He Resigned The Next Day

EAST HAVEN, CT — Wednesday, longtime East Haven recreation director Louis Pane was called to a "confidential" personnel meeting at Town Hall, sources confirmed for Patch. Hours after that meeting, the agenda of which is unclear, Pane was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Thursday morning, new town Chief Administrative Officer Raymond G. Baldwin Jr., said that Pane's "attorney personally appeared at the Town Hall to file a retirement letter on Mr. Pane’s behalf stating that he has elected to retire, effective immediately."

Baldwin did not elaborate but said that Wednesday at 3:30 p.m., on behalf of Mayor Joseph A. Carfora, he placed Pane on paid administrative leave.

"The Mayor has accepted Mr. Pane’s retirement," Baldwin said. "On behalf of the Mayor’s administration, I thank him for his service to the Town."

Patch sent a message to Pane via social media for comment. Check back for updates.

In late July, Patch filed a Freedom of Information Act request with Pane for all documents related to the maintenance, or lack thereof, of the town's Veterans Memorial Ice Rink. Carfora told Patch last month that the facility is in such disrepair that it could cost $1 million to fix. Town Attorney Michael Luzzi responded to the FOI request and the documents are being gathered. Pane did not respond.