Acton CFO Anthony Ansaldi on personal leave, officials confirm
Newly hired Assistant Chief Financial Officer Ryan Ferrara is serving as Acton’s acting CFO in his absence.
Chief Financial Officer Anthony Ansaldi is off the job — at least for the time being.
Town Communications Director Donna McIntosh confirmed on Friday that Ansaldi went on “approved personal leave” on Thursday. He is using paid time, McIntosh said.
Asked whether Ansaldi will return from the leave, McIntosh said, “I don’t have any other information.”
Ansaldi was not available for comment prior to publication. Newly hired Assistant Chief Financial Officer Ryan Ferrara is serving as Acton’s acting CFO in his absence.
Town Manager Kerry Lafleur announced Ansaldi’s leave in a brief email to the Finance Committee Thursday afternoon.
“Effective immediately,” Lafleur said, “Anthony Ansaldi is out of the office on an approved leave of absence.”
Lafleur didn’t explain the leave further but said Ferrara would take Ansaldi’s place, “having all the duties and responsibilities associated with the role.”
She promised additional information “once it becomes available.”
Ferrara attended a Thursday night Finance Committee meeting that featured no acknowledgment of the sudden shakeup.
Select Board Chair Mary Hartman referred questions to the town manager when reached by phone Friday afternoon.
New Finance Committee Chair Lois Wasoff shared Lafleur’s email with The Acton Bridge, saying, “I don’t have any information other than that.”
Asked whether Ansaldi’s leave was punitive, McIntosh said, “Not that I’m aware of.”
Recent disagreement
Ansaldi has been Acton’s CFO since October 2023.
Before Acton, he spent three years as town administrator in Littleton and one year in Wenham’s top job. Ansaldi also had stints working for the state, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, and the town of Brookline.
Ferrara succeeded Ansaldi in Wenham. He subsequently took a job in Littleton under Ansaldi.
Ansaldi’s abrupt leave and Ferrara’s tentative ascension come on the heels of Town Meeting as Acton prepares to enter a new fiscal year with a tight budget.
As the budget took shape, Ansaldi and town staff dealt with their share of surprises — including free cash figures that came in much higher than expected.
Ansaldi and Lafleur then found themselves on opposite sides of a Town Meeting debate over the town’s “rainy day fund” practices.
In interviews, FinCom members Eric Dahlberg and Karlen Reed said they hadn’t heard any additional information about Ansaldi’s leave.
Dahlberg, who just finished his term as the panel’s chair, wished Ansaldi well.
“This could be any number of things ranging from a disciplinary thing to, God forbid, a health [thing],” he said. “So, all I’ll say is I hope Anthony is okay.”
Upcoming work
Reed said Ferrara “did a pretty good job” as he slid into the hot seat supporting FinCom Thursday night.
Whoever helms Acton’s finance team will have their hands full as they navigate a year that Ansaldi said would be marked by “lean” budgeting.
The town was set to start contacting non-profits to negotiate voluntary payment in lieu of tax agreements this month and is expected to continue efforts throughout the year.
Officials are continuing to roll out Acton’s new payroll software, Munis. Following Town Meeting disagreements, the Select Board and FinCom may also discuss reworking reserve policies.
