Hamden has a new finance director, and he's a hometown boy.
Salvatore DeCola started his new job Monday, replacing former Finance Director Kathleen Etkin, who recently retired.
DeCola comes from Orange, where he spent the last six months as that town's finance director. But before that he spent 23 and a half years in New Haven's finance office, the last seven as chief financial administrator.
He took the Orange job last September, but when Hamden's position opened earlier this year, he said he knew he wanted it.
"It's my hometown," he said.
DeCola graduated from Quinnipiac University with a degree in accounting and has lived in Hamden for the past 19 years.
"I think I'm up for the challenge," DeCola said of the issues Hamden is facing economically. And so far, he likes what he's seen of the job.
"I'm impressed with the administration and the council and I'm looking forward to working with everyone," he said, "and bringing my past experience to Hamden."
"Mr. DeCola is the most experienced and qualified finance director, with true municipal experience, that the town has hired in the last 15+ years of my involvement in Hamden finances," said Chief Administrative Officer Curt Balzano Leng. "I believe that he is going to help the Jackson Administration with the goals of stabilizing our town's finances in no-nonsense ways -- which is the pinnacle of all our actions."
