Mansfield Council Says Investigation Finds No Policy Violations By Town Manager

MANSFIELD, CT — The Mansfield Town Council is preparing for Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth's return to work after an independent investigation found he did not violate town policies, laws or the town's code of ethics, according to an update released this week by Mayor Antonia Moran.

Aylesworth has been on paid administrative leave since April while the council investigated a complaint alleging he violated town policy.

According to Moran, the mayor and the chair of the Town Council's Personnel Committee received the complaint on April 7. After consulting with the town's attorneys and other council members, Moran and the deputy mayor asked Aylesworth on April 13 to take voluntary paid administrative leave while an independent review was conducted. Aylesworth agreed.

The investigation, conducted by labor and employment law firm Kainen, Escalera and McHale, began April 15 and was led by Attorney Jennifer L. Dixon.

The Town Council met in executive session May 21 to review Dixon's preliminary findings and met again with Aylesworth on May 26.

According to the mayor, Dixon concluded in May that Aylesworth had not violated any town policy or the town's code of ethics related to the complaint. The council then asked Dixon to continue reviewing additional questions that had been raised, and Aylesworth remained on administrative leave.

Moran said the council received an updated preliminary report from Dixon on July 8.

"The updated report builds on her findings from the end of May," Moran said in the statement. "Attorney Dixon again found that Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth has not violated any laws or town policies."

The council has discussed the report with Aylesworth and is working on the timing and process for his return, Moran said.

In the meantime, the Town Council plans to appoint a new acting town manager at a special meeting later this week. According to Moran, the town's fire chief, who has been serving as acting town manager for several months, will return to leading the fire department while an outside administrator assists the council during the transition.

Moran said Dixon's review was "thorough and comprehensive" and said the council took the complaints seriously throughout the process.

"We hope the public recognizes the Council took the necessary steps to protect the town's interest," Moran said.

The mayor also reiterated that personnel matters require discretion, fairness and due process, noting that the investigation generated significant public interest and speculation in the community.