Dismissal Of Belleville Rec Director Causes Uproar At Town Meeting

BELLEVILLE, NJ — It was a “Tom Tuesday” at Belleville Town Hall.

A large crowd of Belleville residents packed the town council’s latest meeting, eager to speak during public comment about an issue that wasn’t even on the agenda: the dismissal of beloved recreation director Tom Agosta.

The council saw an overwhelming show of love for Agosta, who has been let go from his position at the head of the municipal recreation department (watch footage below, video is cued to the public comment portion of the meeting).

The groundswell of support – and outrage – has been building on social media over the past week. An online petition urged residents to show up at Tuesday’s meeting, getting more than 1,100 signatures along the way.

“Tom Agosta reported that he was let go from his recreation director position last week,” the petition reads, adding that “details are scarce at this point.”

“Tom has always been for the kids,” the petition continues. “We can present this petition to the town in hopes to overturn this preposterous decision by the people responsible.”

The outcry in Agosta’s name continued for more than an hour at this week’s meeting. Some residents praised the longtime director for his work with local kids; others called for his immediate reinstatement.

Comments made Tuesday included:

• “In the past 24 hours more than 1,000 signatures have been added to a petition calling for the reinstatement of director Augusta. These petitioners are adamant and emphatic that they view the director's removal as unwarranted and unjustified. The dismissal of director Augusta would serve as a tremendous loss for the entire community.”
• “The decision taken will essentially impact every child in this town, along with coaches, the bonds that he has created with every child, parent and coaches that have been built over time. His ability to connect with the kids and the community is not something that it's taught. It's innate and is irreplaceable.”
• “I don't know the situation. But I'm sure things can be worked out because you've worked them out with other people in other situations that have happened within the town. And I'm sure you can work it out with this particular man.”

Lissa Missaggia, a school board member in Belleville, was also among those testifying in support of Agosta, saying that it is a “sad day” when people are left without an answer as to why a “coach, mentor and father figure” like Agosta is suddenly replaced.

Agosta also got glowing support from several young people in the audience.

“Tom was the best person I've ever met,” a child dressed in a baseball jersey attested, getting a loud round of applause from the crowd.

“It crushes the kids’ hearts,” he continued. “Tommy's gone. There's many good coaches, but not like Tommy … and it’s just wrong what you've done.”

WHO LET TOM GO?

According to comments made by Mayor Michael Melham and the town council during the meeting, the decision to cut ties with Agosta was made solely by township manager Anthony Iacono, who has authority over all personnel decisions.

Melham compared the town manager’s position to that of a “CEO” at a company. It was a metaphor that a resident brought up again during public comment.

“He’s the CEO, right?” the resident asked. “So I have the right to question, because I live in this town. I am a stockholder. And I have a right to question these decisions.”

Melham said the decision on Agosta’s employment was made Friday – just before the Memorial Day weekend – and that “maybe 50 percent of the governing body up here” wasn’t fully aware of the situation yet.

One of the biggest questions that many people have been asking – why was Agosta dismissed in the first place? – wasn’t addressed during Tuesday’s meeting. However, Iacono addressed the crowd with a statement about Agosta, thanking them for taking the time to make it out to Town Hall.

“It would be very easy to sit home on your couch on a day like today, but you're here, and I appreciate that,” the town manager said.

“As the town manager, I make the day-to-day decisions,” Iacono continued. “I hire, and certainly we make changes. I can assure you – the days that I hire people are much easier and friendlier than days that unfortunately, I have to make change.”

“Tom is not the first change that was ever made in Belleville… and unfortunately… you know… just… changes,” Iacono said, adding that the town council has yet to discuss the issue in executive session.

“But I want you to leave here understanding one thing: there's a process,” he emphasized.

“I can assure you that I've sat here I took notes and I listened,” Iacono said. “I appreciate your community feedback – that will be part of the process that will unfold.”

“As the responsible party that takes that makes the day-to-day decisions, I definitely have heard,” he told attendees.

The Belleville Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs is responsible for providing a variety of youth sports, activities, events, and services to the residents of the town. The department provides youth sports to children in grades K-8, including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, soccer and wrestling. It also runs summer activities – including two summer camp locations, a summer tennis program and a summer travel basketball program – and holds other events such as an egg hunt, summer movie nights, July 4th fireworks, a Halloween pumpkin patch and the annual tree lighting.

As of Wednesday, Agosta is still listed on the municipal website as the recreation director.

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