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Derby City Hall (Wikimedia Photo)
DERBY — Mayor Joseph DiMartino’s campaign promise of wrangling city finances took a step forward Thursday with the hiring of an interim finance director.
The city’s Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen voted after an executive session to appoint Brian Hall to the interim position. He is a candidate that came recommended from Robert Half International, a staffing firm.
The hiring is contingent upon the “final review and approval of corporation counsel,” according to a motion read by Alderwoman Sarah Widomski.
Executive sessions are closed government meetings, allowed by law when discussing specific employees, lawsuits, and real estate deals.
Derby has been without a finance director since August 2022 — and there have been six finance directors since 2009. Meanwhile, the city’s financial record-keeping has been called into question several times over the last decade, and the blame for the issues became politicized.
Because of past budgeting mistakes, the city is required to go over financial statements and answer questions posed by the state’s Municipal Finance Advisory Commission (MFAC). The next MFAC meeting is scheduled for February.
DiMartino is completing his second business week as Derby’s mayor. In an interview with The Valley Indy prior to the hiring, Mayor DiMartino told The Valley Indy that filling the vacancy, even temporarily, was a top priority.
“We ran our campaign on city finances and getting that straightened out,” DiMartino said.
The mayor said his administration contacted Robert Half International, a national human resources/staffing agency, to identify candidates for interim finance director.
“They brought us two candidates to interview for an interim finance director. We interviewed both,” Mayor DiMartino said.
Hall was recommended for the position to the Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen. The vote was unanimous.
Hall is scheduled to start work on Monday (Dec. 18).
The appointment of an interim finance director is one of several that have happened since Election Day on Nov. 7.
Shortly after DiMartino’s election, the Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen voted to look for a firm to conduct a forensic audit. That search continues, DiMartino said.
Derby’s new corporation counsel is Richard Buturla, of the Berchem Moses law firm in Milford. Buturla is known in the Valley, having previously served in the role in Derby. He’s also Seymour’s corporation counsel. Mayor DiMartino said Buturla was scheduled to give elected officials an update on negotiations regarding the scrap yard at 2 Factory St. The city wants to remove and/or relocate the scrap yard in order to spur new investment downtown.
The mayor also sent word last week about appointing Michael Piscioneri as director of the Derby Department of Public Works (DPW). He replaces Ed Armeno, who had been appointed by former Mayor Rich Dziekan.
Piscioneri worked at the Derby DPW from1985 until retiring in 2021. He is a graduate of the Derby Public Schools and lives in Wallingford with his wife, Kristen, according to a press release.
Pamela Happy is Mayor DiMartino’s new administrative assistant. She previously held the job from 2017 until 2021.
DiMartino has yet to name a chief of staff, but said he plans to do so soon.
