MANSFIELD, CT — Mansfield Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth has resigned from his position after nearly six years leading the town, Mayor Antonia Moran announced Tuesday.
Aylesworth informed the Town Council of his decision Sept. 8, saying he plans to pursue other professional opportunities, according to Moran's statement.
The resignation follows an independent investigation commissioned by the Mansfield Town Council in April in response to a whistleblower complaint. The investigation lasted more than three months and included a review of allegations, pertinent information and interviews with multiple people.
According to Moran, the investigator concluded that Aylesworth did not violate any town policy, professional ethics standard or law.
"The circumstances of the past several months have been extraordinarily difficult for the town, its staff, elected officials, and Ryan," Moran said.
Aylesworth decided that the time was right to conclude his service, Moran said. He has offered to assist with the transition as appropriate.
Aylesworth became Mansfield town manager in 2020. Moran said he leaves the position with a record of accomplishments that included efforts to strengthen the town's finances, improve municipal services, plan for infrastructure needs, address housing, pursue economic development and upgrade parks and municipal facilities.
During Aylesworth's tenure, Mansfield also expanded communications and community engagement, including increased social media and video content and the development of the Mansfield Local Government Academy.
The town also completed major investments in schools, renewable energy and public infrastructure, supported in part by competitive grant funding.
Among the projects highlighted by Moran were the construction and opening of Connecticut's first newly constructed net-zero public school, installation of multiple large-scale solar energy systems on town property and pedestrian safety improvements along South Eagleville Road and Storrs Road in Mansfield Center.
The town also expanded emergency services staffing, added a fire suppression apparatus and increased the operating capacity of Mansfield Fire and Emergency Services during Aylesworth's tenure, according to Moran.
"These accomplishments have continued to better position Mansfield for long-term success by advancing our community's ambitious fiscal, environmental, and community sustainability goals," Moran said.
Moran said she worked closely with Aylesworth throughout his tenure and praised his commitment to the town and its residents.
"Ryan is an experienced and capable leader, and I wish him every success in the next chapter of his career," Moran said.
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