Date: Fri 21-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

snapshot-Frank-Delucia

Full Text:

SNAPSHOT FRANK DELUCIA

Occupation: I've been managing Nunnawauk Meadows 14 or 15 years, but I've been

associated with this place now 17 or 18 years. Actually I was involved with

this as first selectman. I was first on the board here - I was treasurer - 18

years ago. Fourteen years ago they went to self-management. I'm executive

director here. I'm also an appointed deputy sheriff for Fairfield County,

[serving] in Newtown.

How long in Newtown: Thirty years.

Biggest change in town: It's developing at such a fast pace right now. It was

a slow growth for a long time. The sewers coming in, the demise of Fairfield

Hills. Some day that's going to have a big impact on what Newtown will be. The

biggest change in terms of when I was first selectman was that we changed the

form of government from board of finance to council. I felt very strongly that

the town should be run in a more business-like way. Being selectman was a

difficult job, but I enjoyed the four years. There are a lot of great people

in this town, dedicated to making it one of the best towns in the area.

Positions held in town: For a very, very short period of time I served on P&Z

as an alternate. I was involved with the Republican Town Committee, and was

treasurer. I became first selectman for four years. Then I was on the Board of

Selectmen for two years.

Organizations: I was involved in the Jaycees - I went as far as International

Director. I'm involved in the Lions.

Family: My wife, Miriam. We have three sons who all went to Newtown schools;

they are all married and live in the area, but not in Newtown - Alexander,

Richard, and Frank.

Hobbies: I like fishing. Whenever I get the chance I like to fish freshwater -

trout-fishing, stream-fishing. On occasion I like to paint. My last project

was working on a little wooden sleigh that I gave someone. I've done

watercolor paintings. I like to go to baseball games. Favorite team: Boston

Red Sox, of course. My two jobs really keep me pretty busy. Most sheriffs work

full-time, but I love this job so much here, I don't want to give it up. I

also spend a lot of time with my grandchildren; I enjoy them an awful lot.

Favorite food: It's got to be Italian. Pasta dishes are my favorite.

Biggest accomplishment thus far: My family. I'm proud of my kids and my wife.

They were always a part of whatever I did, my wife especially.

If you could change one thing for older people, what would it be: Financial

concerns about their future. I've experienced that not only here, but also as

first selectman. People get to a certain age when they no longer are working,

and for the most part, [money] is one of the biggest concerns. When I was

first selectman, one of the highlights of all the things we did for the

elderly was to get the first social worker in town, [establish] the Commission

on Aging and the meal program at town hall, and get a grant for the Senior

Center building.

Personal philosophy: You have to be honest - always - with yourself and with

others. Whatever you do, always be considerate of others. It's something I try

to do in my personal life and even in my work.