The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Mayor won’t seek reelection
CROMWELL — Mayor Enzo Faienza began what was an otherwise typical Town Council meeting in a very untypical way: By announcing he would not seek re-election in November.
“It’s time to get this out there,” he said, announcing he will not be seeking re-election.
He will serve out the remainder of his term, however.
“Being mayor for the past 71⁄2 years has truly been a privilege and an honor,” he said.
But, he said, it was time to move in to “the next
phase of my life,” focusing on his wife and daughter and his family owned tile company, United Ceramic Tile Distributors.
“Never in my wildest dream growing up did I ever think I would be the leader of this town, he said, adding “We really have done some wonderful things.”
“Cromwell has never been stronger in its history,” he said.
“We have kept a stable mill rate, have made huge strides in economic development and major infrastructure improvements, created the LBGTQ and Diversity committees, and have navigated our way through a global pandemic,” he noted.
Faienza said what he would miss most is the interaction with residents.
In the years since he first became involved in local politics, as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2007, “I’ve met so many wonderful people,” he said.
“The greatest thing about this town are our people. As I have said many times over the years, you are our greatest treasure and gift,” he said.
When his term ends, “What I’m really going to miss the most is meeting people,” he said.
As he thanked his colleagues and the Town Hall staff, he mentioned two of them by name, Town Manager Anthony J. Salvatore “who has helped move my vision along,” and Director of Finance Marianne Sylvester.
He thanked as well “all those serving on the various board and commission, and adding, “We have a great team in place, and it has been my honor in working with all of you.”
He offered special thanks to Re Matus, his highly regarded and much respected senior executive assistant.
“You have been like a second mother to me, and you will always have a special place in my heart,” he told her.
Through it all, he said, his wife and daughter “have been my biggest supporters and fans, adding, I look forward to the day I can dedicate all my time to them.”
Faienza said that in his remaining months “we still have a lot of work to do and l will give you everything I have to the end.”
He was rewarded with a standing ovation from the councilors and others in the small audience of officials, all of whom were practicing mask and social distancing protocols.
As the applause died away, Councilor Allan Waters offered a “Thank you for all you’ve done.”
Later in the meeting, as she prepared to deliver her monthly report, Police Chief Denise Lamontagne thanked Faienza for “your service to the town and your unwavering support for the Police Department.”
“I can’t express enough what a wonderful leader you have been,” she said.
Over the past few years, Faienza, a Republican, had made no secret of his interest in moving beyond being mayor.
But during a pause in the meeting, he said the pressures of the pandemic and the decisions he had to make had worn him down, as it has other municipal leaders.
He left open the possibility of resuming his political career sometime in the future.
But for now, he said, his focus is and will remain on his wife and his daughter.