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Town Hires New Director Of Finance

Stacy Nobitz will replace Dotty Bavin, the current director of finance, who is retiring June 30 after 33 years.

 

When Madison Director of Finance Dotty Bavin decided recently that it was time to retire after 33 years of service to the town, she knew just who to call.

"I've been waiting for that call for years," said Stacy Nobitz Monday night, just before her appointment at the town's new director of finance was officially approved by the Board of Selectmen. Nobitz, a CPA, is a manager with BlumShapiro and has worked there since 2004. Before she was with BlumShapiro, she received her degree in accounting from Quinnipiac University and then worked for Madison for seven years as an accountant.

Nobitz said when she left Madison to go to BlumShapiro, she did so with mixed feelings. She was excited about the opportunity, but knew she would miss Madison. So when she got the call about the opening, she decided that not only would it be a great opportunity and a great fit, but also great timing if she was hired.

The Board of Selectmen said they agreed Monday night, and then approved the hiring in a unanimous vote.

Nobitz will start May 7, 2012, at an annual salary of $108,000, giving her two months to work with Bavin before Bavin retires.

"We're going to be roommates," Nobitz said to Bavin, before the meeting started Monday night.

"You can pick my brain on everything," Bavin responded.

"Can't wait," Nobitz said.

Nobitz will be working not only for the Town of Madison, but also for the Madison Public Schools.

“I remember the excellent work she did for us during her earlier service with the Town and she has added to her knowledge with her auditing experiences for other municipalities in Connecticut,” First Selectman McPherson said in a prepared statement.  Interim Madison School Superintendent Anita Rutlin said in a prepared statement, “we are confident that Stacy Nobitz will be an excellent addition to our team.  Stacy brings with her extensive experience with public school finances.”

The selection process involved a three level interview series involving senior town and school staff, the Boards of Selectmen, Finance, and Education, and McPherson and Rutlin.  “Madison is one of the very few municipalities in the state that share finance and other departments”, said McPherson.  Rutlin added, “The school district and the town have always worked synergistically together.”

Nobitz and Bavin said Monday night they will be able to work well together during the transition. And they discovered they had one other thing in common, relating to their personal financial matters. Monday night at the meeting, they both were carrying identical Coach purses.

"What can I say? I'm a Coach person too, "Nobitz said.

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JC May 21, 2013 at 05:38 pm
The area north of the farm house across Copse would not have been my first pick. There must be aRead More reason for picking that spot? but, looking at satellite images, if the town owns the land abutting 95 (is that also part of the farm?), it would make more sense to place it in that lower section of the park as it would not be near as many residential homes. The interstate is already noisy and would mask the occasional yip and yap on Saturdays or weekday summer evenings before sunset. I also wonder about the cliffs acting as sound amplifiers? I know, it sounds nuts but, you need to check or, yikes. You want to spend the most time on location work and design. Hopefully the UConn students have an architecture professor leading on the design work?
JC May 21, 2013 at 05:25 pm
I have lived all over the U.S. in areas with dog parks. All were fenced (99% of dog parks ARE fencedRead More and any that are not should be avoided!) All have an area for big dogs, plus an area for little dogs, and an area for "problem" dogs and dog training (reservation based or first come). All three areas are divided by interior fences or located in different sections. Dog parks create no problems at all if built right and managed right. All dogs MUST have a licence and rabies tag on a collar. All dogs must be neutered over 8 months of age. All owners (18 and older) must observe the dog at all times and PICK UP when a gift is left. No children under 12. If your dog was not properly socialized or is an untested aggressive breed, keep them at home until you are sure they are good citizens with strangers and dogs. Only happy dogs who get along with other dogs should EVER visit a dog park. Puppies also should stay away until they are a few months old. Very small toy dogs don't need a dog park and are best kept away. But all the parks I have used were not a problem at all. It is also important to have some parking, seating (benches), and shelter for humans and a bulletin board with rules at the entrance (double gate at each). Some parks are free to town/county residents. Some were owned by the town/county but run by volunteers (these were the best!). Most charged nothing but one charged way too much per year (it was owned and partly run by the county with volunteers). I think any of these combinations could work but, if a yearly permit is issued (proven you have rabies shot, etc.), the fee, if any, should be very low. $10 or less for dogs under 25 lbs and $15 or less for dogs 26 lbs and larger. It should pay for upkeep and poop pickup bags. Why so low? Because it is a park for dogs! Grass, dirt, and some trees. Not the Opera or a Rolling Stones concert. A volunteer group needs to raise money first. It takes a few years and longer than you think. Starting with finding a location acceptable to all (nearly impossible due to NIMBY types but doable - Baur is actually a good pick) and hiring a landscape architect (pro bono hopefully) to design/lay it out to town code. There are many dog parks all over the U.S. that are proven and work well. Madison and this part of CT do need more fenced dog parks.
David Moloney May 21, 2013 at 10:07 am
The plan to let dogs off leash needs clarification. The park and the town are in the planning phasesRead More of a fenced off leach area that was designed by landscape architecture students from UCONN. This is part of the overall plan for the the park. The area slated for use is north of the Bauer Farmhouse on the other side of Copse road. It is in the wooded area on the other side of the brook abutting the cliffs. I agree dogs should be allowed off leash, however some dog owners are not in full control of their dogs, so the fenced off leash area is a good alternative for the safety and enjoyment of all.