www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 20, Number 51
Friday, December 22, 2023
Town Manager Mark Sciota to retire in June By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
“I’ve done everything but mow the lawn out lawn out here,” Sciota said of his municipal career.
SOUTHINGTON — Town Manager Mark Sciota has announced he will retire in June of next year, closing a 29-year career in town government.
Although a Democratic appointment at the start of his career, town officials said Sciota kept politics out of his professional work.
Sciota, 60, began his career as a local attorney before starting legal work for the town which started his public service career. He’s worked as town attorney, deputy town manager and finally town manager, a position he was given in 2017.
“Mark’s always taken a middle-of-the-road approach when it comes to politics. He communicates evenly to both the Town Council chair and the minority leader,” said Chaplinsky, a Republican. “He always keeps politics out of his perspectives.”
“I’m very proud of what we accomplished as a team here in Southington,” Sciota said last week. “I was honored to work for the town.” Town leaders praised Sciota’s contribution to Southington. “Throughout his 36-year career, Mark Sciota’s love and passion for Southington has been demonstrated through exceptional leadership, integrity, and a passion for public service that has endeared him to colleagues and residents alike,” said Paul Chaplinsky, Town
Town Manager Mark Sciota.
Council chairman, in a statement Thursday. “His legacy of service will undoubtedly be remembered as a guiding force in the ongoing success of Southington.” Chaplinsky said the council hasn’t discussed a plan for finding Sciota’s replacement. “We don’t have anybody in
File photo
mind. We haven’t developed the process yet,” he said. Private practice to town manager Sciota started his legal practice with a firm on Main Street, Elliott, Stanek & Sciota. In the early 1990s he was appointed assistant town attorney. He served as town
Sciota and his wife Karen live in Southington. He’s looking forward to spending more time with his family, particularly since his two sons plan to get married next year.
attorney under John Weichsel, Southington’s first and long-serving town manager who retired in 2011.
“It’d be nice to be a bigger part of their life,” he said. “I’m looking forward to that too.”
Sciota was a finalist for the town manager position then but the job went to Garry Brumback, who left Southington in 2018. The Town Council picked Sciota to be Brumback’s replacement.
Sciota has a cottage in Old Saybrook and is also looking forward to being able to visit the shore on weekdays, something that his municiSee Sciota, A12
The do’s and don’ts of pet adoption for the holidays By Heather Sillins Special to The Citizen
Adopting a pet for a loved one may seem like a great gift idea, but before doing so, it’s important to consider why the holiday season may not be the right time. Chrystal Rashba, the Assistant Animal Control Officer for the Town of North Haven, shared the most im-
portant things to think about when it comes to pet adoption around the holidays. Her first significant piece of advice is that you shouldn’t actually adopt the pet as a gift. “You might have an idea of what said person wants, but really they’re the one who should pick out,” she explained. Instead, Crystal
suggested writing a handwritten note offering to pay the adoption fee when the individual finds the right pet for them. By doing this, you eliminate the possibility of adopting a pet that isn’t a good fit for the person you’re giving the pet to.
“A lab is very different from a cocker spaniel,” Rashba explained. Different breeds have different needs. Some breeds require unique mental stimulation or physical activity. Before adopting, ask yourself if you can realistically meet this specific animal’s needs.
According to Rashba, muIt’s critical to do diligent renicipal shelters aren’t always search before adopting a pet.
able to obtain an animal’s history. That being said, many animals are taken from abusive, unsafe environments and brought to the shelter. It’s imperative to keep in mind that an animal adopted from a shelter has just endured a stressful situation. Always be mindful that See Adopt, A8