Preston finance board chairwoman resigns suddenly, citing personal reasons.
Melissa Lennon’s decision comes a week before budget town meeting
Preston — Board of Finance Chairwoman Melissa Lennon resigned from the board suddenly Friday, effective immediately, citing personal and family priorities unrelated to the board or town government.
Lennon’s resignation came a week before the annual budget town meeting on May 30, almost three weeks before the budget referendum and just over halfway through her first six-year term on the board.
“After much prayerful consideration and thoughtful discernment, I have determined that immediate resignation from the Board of Finance is the wisest course of action,” Lennon wrote in her letter to Town Clerk Hattie Wucik. “Circumstances in my family life move me to realign my priorities in this season.”
Lennon wrote that she considered it “an honor and a privilege” to have been elected to the Board of Finance and then selected by the board as its chairperson.
“This role has provided me the opportunity to serve the citizens of the town of Preston and to work collaboratively for the common good of the town of Preston,” Lennon wrote.
Her resignation surprised town officials, who praised her hard work, long hours and dedication to the duties of the finance board.
“I think it’s a huge loss for the town,” First Selectman Robert Congdon said, “and I certainly hope she reconsiders. Her passion, her work ethic, her integrity.”
Board of Finance Vice Chairman Jerry Grabarek said he had “no inkling” of Lennon’s decision prior to receiving a phone message about it Friday and then seeing her letter in his email.
“She was a wonderful member, a wonderful person and so organized, so dedicated,” Grabarek said.
He said he respected her wishes for privacy expressed in the letter and said she “had to have a good reason.”
The board has two alternates, Lennie Spencer and Ian Stammel. Grabarek said one of them can be seated as a voting member during an absence. The board has the authority to appoint a new regular member, either from among the alternates if they are interested, or by seeking new applications. Lennon’s term on the board was set to run to Nov. 16, 2021.
“Case Unsolved,” The Day’s podcast on local cold cases, received a first-place award Thursday night at the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists annual awards banquet.
The series was reported by Karen Florin, Lindsay Boyle and Erica Moser, narrated by Carlos Virgen and produced by Peter Huoppi. Tim Cotter was the executive producer and Izaskun Larraneta the assistant producer.
For the first time, The Day competed in the largest circulation category in the contest.
Florin also was first in courts reporting for “One Family’s Sole Survivor.”
David Collins placed first in column writing for a piece on Connecticut Landmarks’ ownership of Forge Farm.
Lee Howard won the top prize for business reporting for a story on the 10th anniversary of the closing of a New London credit union.
Melissa Johnson and Jacinta Meyers were first in page 1 layout, and Meyers placed first and second in editorial cartoon.
Tim Cook’s video “Sanctuary in Old Lyme” placed first.
The “Helping Hands” series placed third in reporting series. It was written by Julia Bergman, Amanda Hutchinson, Kimberly Drelich, Karen Florin, Erica Moser and Mary Biekert.
Other winners were: Sean D. Elliot, second, news photo and photo essay, and third, photo essay and news photo; Sarah Gordon, second, sports photo and feature photo; Dana Jensen, third, feature photo; Mary Biekert, second, leisure reporting and third, arts & entertainment reporting; Lindsay Boyle, third, in-depth reporting; Joe Turco, second, headline writing; John Ruddy, third, headline writing; Peter Huoppi, third, video; and Steve Fagin, third, sports feature.