Essex Park and Rec Director Leaving for New Position in Canton

By Charles Stannard

ESSEX— Park and Recreation Director Brian Wilson is leaving the job before the end of the month to take a position in Canton.

First Selectman Phill Miller, who announced Wilson’s pending departure Wednesday, said Wilson is leaving to take a park and recreation related job in Canton, a town that is closer to where he lives.Wilson began working in Essex in July 2008 after working previously as the recreation programs supervisor for the Dover Arena in Dover, N.H. Miller said Wilson “has done excellent work for the town” over the past 15 months.

In hiring Wilson, the park and recreation commission expanded the director’s job to a full-time position. As director, Wilson coordinated an expansion of summer programs, and helped the commission develop plans for a proposed basketball court at the former state commuter lot near the main firehouse on Middlesex Avenue (Route 154). The basketball court plan is expected to go to a public hearing before the zoning commission later this fall.

Miller said Mary Ellen Barnes, the assistant director and programs coordinator, would serve as acting director while the park and recreation commission coordinates the search for a new director. Miller said he favors keeping the director job as a full-time position. Wilson had received an annual salary of about $43,000 in the position.