05/11/2026
Mansfield residents deserve answers.
The Mansfield Republican Town Committee Chair has issued a press release calling for transparency, accountability, and clear communication regarding the ongoing investigation involving the Town Manager.
Residents have a right to know who is leading daily operations, how decisions are being made, and why information has been withheld from the public. Transparency should not stop when questions become difficult.
Read the full statement below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2026
Contact: Aaron Bowman, Mansfield Republican Town Committee Chair
MANSFIELD DESERVES ANSWERS ON TOWN MANAGER INVESTIGATION
MANSFIELD, CT — With the discovery of an ongoing investigation into Mansfield Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth, who has been placed on administrative leave, Mansfield Republican Town Committee members are demanding that the Democratic majority on the Town Council give residents straight answers.
Information indicates that Mayor Antonia Moran and Deputy Mayor Ben Shaiken made the decision to place Aylesworth on leave on April 2, 2026. Republican Council members were notified of the decision by phone on April 20, 2026. No details, formal explanation or public statement was provided or has followed since.
“The absence of the Town’s top official is a serious matter, and our residents deserve the truth and confidence in how our Town is managed, said Aaron Bowman MRTC Chairman. Hiding information and keeping citizens in the dark is never acceptable. Playing politics to cover up problems is even worse.”
On May 8, 2026, Mayor Moran told the Chronicle, "When we have something to say, we will." But an earlier email from January 3, 2026 makes clear that there are facts which suggest a serious management issue. The email references a prior known threat to an individual and describes "repeated and ongoing contact between the librarian and the town manager" observed over the past year. There are clearly facts that are being withheld from members of the Town Council and the public.
Bowman added; “Residents are paying the salary of a town manager who is on administrative leave, funding a two-attorney investigation, and likely paying for overtime to cover for the missing Town Manager. The appearance of ongoing personnel problems also raises additional issues regarding the problems with the Mayor’s management oversight. How can Moran and Shaiken not be honest with the public?”
Transparency should not be a campaign slogan. It is town policy. The residents of Mansfield deserve to know what is happening in their government.
Key Details/Timeline & Statements
On October 17, 2025, Mayor Moran posted on Facebook that "we hired a superb town manager." That same town manager is now under investigation by two attorneys, on and is on administrative leave.
The Town Council’s mission statement commits to “effective, transparent, and accountable governance.” The Town’s Accountability and Transparency Policy, adopted November 22, 2010, states that decision-making by elected officials and town employees is “to the extent permitted by law, open and clear to the public.”
The Democratic Council members campaigned on exactly that standard. Carlita Cotton’s October 2025 candidate profile on the Mansfield Democrats page promised “cooperative, open, and well-balanced governance.” Sarah Dufresne’s profile stated: “I value authenticity, integrity, and transparency.” Those were their words. Where are those values now?
The Town of Mansfield’s accessibility policy states the town is “committed to providing equal access to all aspects of town government.” Limiting information about a personnel investigation to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, while sidelining other elected Council members, does not meet that standard.
# # #
For more information, contact Aaron Bowman, Mansfield Republican Town Committee Chair.
