SHARON – The Town of Sharon has named Torrington resident Bryan Failla as its new Parks and Recreation director, following the retirement of longtime director Matthew Andrulis-Mette, who held the position for 27 years.
Failla, 34, said the role is a natural fit, noting that he has “always been a sports guy,” while acknowledging that he has big shoes to fill.
“The community loves Matt,” Failla said. “I’m not coming in to change things – I’ll be building upon what Matt’s done.”
Failla said he plans to start by getting to know the community and its needs, adding that he enjoys working with people of all ages.
Before coming to Sharon, Failla served as an athletic director at Region 20’s Plum Hill Middle School for two years. He also spent six years in law enforcement as a police officer with the Winchester Police Department.
Failla holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he played baseball, and a master’s degree in sports administration from Arkansas State University. He said he enjoys playing golf and volunteering with the Torrington Police Athletic League (PAL).
Sharon’s Parks and Recreation Department oversees the Little Rascals summer camp, summer concerts, an annual triathlon, a summer crafts fair and senior bus trips, in addition to a variety of recreational activities.
The department will also see a staffing change beyond the leadership transition. Former director Andrulis-Mette said his previous role has been split into two separate positions: a director — a role Failla has been hired to fill — and a maintenance staff member from the town crew to oversee the athletic fields and beach.
