The head of the Springfield Parking Authority is stepping down. Mary McNally says she did not receive support from the authority’s board or Mayor Domenic Sarno.
McNally, who took the job in 2014, said she mapped out a repair schedule for the city’s aging parking garages and managed to settle a long-running dispute with the state over lease payments.
But she said much of the parking authority’s board failed to back her up on day-to-day operational decisions.
“I’ve told [Mayor Sarno] of my concerns and he just hasn’t taken any action,” McNally said Monday. “So I interpret that as being content or amenable to whatever’s going on here and I’m not. So, I’m leaving.”
In a statement, the mayor said he respects McNally’s decision, and said he and the board were supportive of her efforts.
“As a matter of fact, we worked hand-in-hand in solidifying the financial status of the Springfield Parking Authority, MassDOT negotiations with garage leases and public safety initiatives with our Springfield Police Department,” Sarno said. “Again, I thank Mary for her efforts and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
McNally, who is a lawyer, said she’s not sure what she’ll do next when she leaves in July. She said she’ll “probably take the summer off and work on my golf game.”
McNally’s resignation was first reported by the Springfield Republican.