Deal gives ex-park chief $111,000 over 13 months

By Jon Moffett

CANFIELD — Mill Creek Park commissioners will pay the park district’s former executive director about $111,000 over 13 months under terms of a severance package.

According to the agreement, Dave Imbrogno will receive 11 months of his salary and an additional eight weeks of accrued vacation time, as well as full health-care benefits under the park’s plan.

The package also includes a stipulation for a “negotiated positive reference letter” for obtaining future employment.

Park Treasurer Dave Christy said Imbrogno will be paid for eight weeks of earned and accrued vacation time through the beginning of next month. Imbrogno will then receive $3,475 in severance pay every two weeks until Oct. 1, 2010, for a total of 13 months.

Neither Imbrogno nor board members Virginia Dailey, Jay Macejko and Carl Nunziato returned phone calls seeking comment Tuesday.

Imbrogno announced his intent to resign during an executive session of a special board meeting Aug. 31. Two of the three park commissioners voted to accept the resignation during a public vote that followed.

According to the agreement, the park district informed Imbrogno of its “dissatisfaction with his performance and interactions with his management staff, as well as other problems,” before his resignation.

Included in the agreement is a stipulation that Imbrogno “will not at any time in the future apply for or otherwise seek employment” with the park district. The agreement is also not considered an admission by the park of “any wrongdoing or liability” to Imbrogno.

Imbrogno, originally of Clearmont, Ky., was hired as executive director of the park district in October 2007. He replaced Susan Dicken, who had retired. Before that, he served in the same position at Bernheim Forest in Kentucky, a 14,000-acre facility near Louisville.

Tom Bresko, former recreation and programs director, is the acting executive director. Linda Kostka, director of development and marketing, said Bresko will serve an indefinite term while the board searches for a new executive director.

jmoffett@vindy.com