Occupation: I am semiretired now, from two things. My wife and I owned Milano's Gourmet Deli & Catering in Danbury for 23 years, until 2003. We were in the North Street Shopping Center for years, and then on Mill Plain Road. I was also the Wate
Occupation: I am semiretired now, from two things. My wife and I owned Milanoâs Gourmet Deli & Catering in Danbury for 23 years, until 2003. We were in the North Street Shopping Center for years, and then on Mill Plain Road. I was also the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) chairman for 18 years, in Newtown. We essentially built the sewer system in town. I have a degree in chemical engineering from UConn, and a masterâs from NYU. I worked in the environmental field for ten years before the food business. Iâm proud of what the WPCA accomplished. The initial sewer system project requirements by the state would have cost $120 million. By pointing out technical difficulties and the case that putting in sewers for remote areas in the town would add to the townâs financial burden, that plan was abandoned. A new study and plan saved the project over $80 million, and made the project more economically feasible for the town. That is the most gratifying aspect of serving on the WPCA, for me.
Family: I have been married since 1980 to Rosalia. We have three beautiful daughters, Felicia, Christina, and Sondra. Christina is married to Joe Arcanti.
Pets: We have a pit bull named Tagen, and a Shih Tzu named Mia. They get along extremely well. Tagen is so calm and obedient. We have three cats, too, Lacey, Misty, and Morrison. They all started out as our kidsâ pets, and we inherited them.
How long have you been in Newtown? Iâve been in Newtown over 40 years.
What do you like to do in your free time? Iâm helping a friend who owns New Fairfield Food Center, who wants to introduce some new food products. Iâm making fresh mozzarella for him, fresh tomato and mozzarella salad, marinade sun dried tomatoes, and that sort of thing, just part time. I get The New York Times and thatâs my favorite reading source. I am immersed in the environmental occurrences in the world and staying aware of whatâs going on. I installed 48 solar panels on my house. The environmentâs my passion. I love spending time taking care of my property and being outdoors. I also play tennis.
Do you have a favorite sports team? The Miami Heat is my favorite basketball team right now.
Do you have a favorite travel destination? I was born in Italy, so Italy has been one of my favorite places. I still have family there. Iâve visited twice. My wife and I have a goal of traveling to Italy and spending at least three weeks there.
What is the best thing about Newtown? I feel at home in Newtown, and I love the homey aspect of the General Store. I go there for coffee with one of my tennis friends after we play. I enjoyed working with the public and town officials as a member of the WPCA.
Do you have a hero? Al Gore. He is my hero in hindsight and projection, for his capabilities. He has been marginalized and even demonized by right-wing media and right-wing politicians; however, if he had been elected president, in my opinion, he would have prevented the 9/11 plot. The country would not have initiated the two wars and the financial meltdown would not have happened. Just imagine the state of our countryâs well-being in the last 12 years.
Do you have a personal philosophy? Live a simple life, and protect the environment.
What makes you happiest? My family is important to me, and I look forward to following politics. Iâm liberal in my views and politics is another passion of mine.