Derby Man Is Vice-Chair Of The Connecticut Commuter Rail Council

Jim Gildea from Derby was recently elected as a Vice Chair of the Connecticut Commuter Rail Council. 

The Connecticut Commuter Rail Council is an independent state board that acts as an advocate for commuters on the Metro-North commuter railroad line which includes the New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury branches, Shore Line East railroad and the New Haven to Springfield line.

Gildea was appointed to the Council by Governor Dannel Malloy and has been representing commuters since November 2012. At the same meeting, Terri Cronin, a commuter from Norwalk was elected Chair and John Hartwell, a commuter from Westport was also elected as Vice Chair.

Gildea said: It is an honor to serve the State at any level and to be elected Vice Chair of the Commuter Council is especially rewarding. I continue to be passionate about and advocate for the Waterbury branch line. With the upcoming rail siding installation in Derby that is scheduled to be completed as part of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, now more the ever, it is important to ensure that the branch, which serves the Valley towns, remains in the forefront. The Waterbury branch line is an underutilized asset that can serve as a critical commuting option for Valley commuters as well as an important springboard for economic development if ever fully utilized to its potential”.

Gildea was elected to the Derby Board of Education in November 2013 after having served on that panel from 1992 – 2005 with the last 12 years serving as its Chairperson.

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