Town Names Park After Villano

Former Mayor and State Rep. Peter Villano has devoted decades to serving the town of Hamden, and now the town is honoring him by naming a park in his honor.

The Legislative Council recently approved a proposal to name Mill Rock Park in Villano's honor.

"I heard about it from a lot of residents in my neighborhood and they are excited to be able to recognize this gentleman who has served this district and has served on the remediation project," said Fifth District Councilwoman Kath Schomaker. "We are very excited about this."

Villano served as Hamden's mayor from 1981 to 1995. He served in the state House of Representatives from 1993 to earlier this year, when he retired. 

For the past dozen years, much of his time was spent on the Newhall Remediation Project, which is winding down this year. The project cleaned up the property in the Newhall neighborhood around the former Hamden Middle School that was found to be contaminated from waste left behind decades ago.

"He has done a lot of work for this town," said Councilman Ozzie Brown, who joined the rest of the council in unanimously approving the resolution.

The Hamden Democratic Town Committee also recently honored Villano at its annual Spring Gala for his years of service to the town.

"He has spent a lifetime representing this town," said Councilman Michael Colaiacovo Jr., "and this is a small token of our appreciation."