Tranquillo to Leave Position as Town Engineer but Questions Surround Decision

(Updated Thursday 7:45 p.m.)
After 39 years as the , Anthony Tranquillo will walk out of the office for the last time on Friday afternoon.

Town staff and elected officials confirmed Thursday that officials "came to a decision" Wednesday that Tranquillo would no longer be employed by the town of Southington, although details remain extremely vague regarding the circumstances leading up to the decision.

It remains unclear whether Tranquillo's last day is being considered a termination, resignation or retirement. One official close to the decision said, “it remains a fluid situation at the moment,” but declined further comment.

“Our policy is not to comment on any personnel matters,” said Southington Town Manager Garry Brumback, who confirmed only that Friday is Tranquillo’s last day.

Multiple sources confirmed that members of the Town Council were informed of the situation through an email late Wednesday, but several members of the council declined comment Thursday afternoon. Messages left with Town Attorney Mark Sciota were not returned on Thursday afternoon and the email has not been released to the media.

Tranquillo first began serving as town engineer in the 1970s and has served the department since, acting as the foremost engineering expert for the town and providing expert opinions for the Town Council and Planning and Zoning commission on various sewer and engineering matters.

Tranquillo declined comment Thursday, although a recent report on the Record-Journal website indicated he would be seeking legal opinion next week.