North Haven Director of Community Services and Recreation Gerardo Sorkin was laid off from Town Hall on Friday, June 25, for economic reasons, First Selectman Michael Freda said Monday.

“I had concluded that, based on the fact that our referendum only passed by 365 votes, we have to continue to work on the cost side of North Haven,” Freda said. “This saves us $128,000. This is another position we will not replace next year.”

“As a result, that drew me to conclude that the Director of Community Services and Recreation position itself was a position that we can eliminate and not affect the level of services North Haven gives in that area,” Freda added.

Freda said he told Sorkin at 9 a.m. on Friday of his job’s termination. “I met with Mr. Sorkin and explained to him that his position will no longer be needed based on economic conditions,” Freda said. “I had made the decision that morning.”

Sorkin will receive severance payments.

“He is entitled to his vacation time,” Freda said. “And as part of directorial guidelines, there are provisions for him to receive severance under the case of layoff. He will receive everything he is entitled to.”

Recreation director Eileen Pettit, senior center director Judy Amarone, and pool and daycare directors will all report to Director of Finances Ed Swinkowski, as will three community services counselors.

Swinkowski said he would provide day-to-day support as necessary. He had much trust in the community services and recreation managers. “They can handle what they need to do,” he said.

Freda said that he, too, would help oversee the departments.

“I’ll be actively involved with Ed in both areas,” Freda said. “I will maintain a good perspective as to what way we can be helping out in those two departments.”

“The managerial aspect will be handled by Ed,” Freda added.

Freda said the decision was part of an ongoing effort to maximize employee utilization, and was nothing personal against Sorkin.

“If we take a look the savings here, and at the savings in not replacing the second position in my office, and in not replacing the comptroller, that totals over $300,000 in savings,” he said.

Additionally, Freda said laying-off Sorkin was part of his plan for North Haven as the town proceeds into the state and country’s uncertain financial future. “I will continue to look to derive efficiencies and savings by analyzing the cost aspect here,” Freda said.

This could, though does not necessarily, include further personnel cuts, Freda added.

“In terms of a cost and revenue generation standpoint, we need to prepare ourselves for the future,” Freda said. “For the fiscal year ending in 2012, I will be anticipating that state aid will decline, and we will no longer have CRRA money available.”

Sorkin was originally hired on March 17, 2008 by the previous administration.