Kieras takes the reins

Resident is the new parks and recreation leader

by Mark Jahne

Editor

When longtime parks and recreation superintendent William DeMaio announced his retirement, it caught the attention of Scott Kieras. The two men were well acquainted and Kieras was working as the director of the Cromwell Recreation Department.

The Newington resident seized the opportunity and applied for the job. He was hired in early April.

Kieras, who is 57 years old, has more than 30 years of experience in municipal parks and recreation operations. He worked in Cromwell from 2018 until coming to Newington. Prior to that he was a program supervisor in Shelton and assistant director of recreation for 24 years in Wilton.

Scott Kieras in the new superintendent of the Newington Parks and Recreation Department. (Jahne)

"I was born in Shelton. I’ve been in this field for 34 years. I started in Shelton as a camp counselor,” he said. “We did sports. We did activities. That was my introduction to parks and recreation.”

He played sports while growing up including American Legion baseball and collegiate baseball at the University of Connecticut. While in college he supervised some events in Shelton and later was hired for a full-time job there as recreation coordinator.

Kieras said he enjoyed the work because it wasn’t a desk job.

“You’re interacting with the public,” he said.

Parks and recreation directors around the state tend to know one another and he talked with DeMaio often to learn about how to create successful special events and programs.

He described DeMaio as “forward thinking, thinking outside the box. I found him very engaging and fascinating. He became like a mentor to me.”

That encouraged him to develop some new events in Cromwell. His former department oversees the Town of Cromwell Farmers Market, which was privately run in its early years.

Kieras earned a bachelor’s in education degree from the University of Connecticut with a major in sports marketing and management. Among his duties are overseeing such events as Newington Goes Country, Food Truck Friday, Life Be in it Extravaganza and the winter holiday Night of Lights. But that’s not all.

Parks and Recreation provides a full slate of recreational programming for residents of all ages including swimming lessons, sports leagues and summer camp. His job description also includes being the sexton for three town-owned and operated cemeteries and overseeing the Parks and Grounds Division.

It’s more than he was tasked to do in Cromwell but Kieras is confident that he’s up to the challenge.

“My days will never be boring. It’s a learning experience. I have a good staff around me,” he said.

He is well aware that DeMaio will be a hard act to follow.

“Succeeding a leader with more than four decades of service prompted thoughtful reflection on the depth and breadth of my own experience, ensuring it is presented with both clarity and confidence,” he said. “I am committed to building upon a strong foundation while guiding the department through its next chapter.”

“I am beyond excited to welcome Scott to the Newington team,” Town Manager Jonathan Altshul said.

“He checks all the boxes we were looking for in a parks and recreation superintendent. Scott understands the critically important role that his department plays in fostering community bonds and bringing our residents together.”

Mayor Jon Trister echoed those comments.

“He brings years of experience in the industry and, as a Newington resident, he understands the pride we take in our parks and recreation and is the right person to continue our legacy.”

“The Board of Parks and Recreation welcomes Scott and is excited by his willingness to take on the challenges that running the department encompasses,” Chairperson Eileen Francolino added.

One of the realities Kieras faces is that Newington Parks and Recreation is a certified fund within the town budget and must raise its own funds rather than rely on taxpayers’ dollars.

He is excited about his new job. Kieras said he inherited a high-quality staff and all the special events that DeMaio established and grew, citing concerts in Mill Pond Park as just one example.

It is his hope to meet and engage with residents and perhaps reestablish the farmer’s market that used to take place in Constitution Square in the center of town.

“I’m always going to look at ways to make improvements. The pools are old and that’s a hot topic in town,” he said.