Massachusetts calling Naugatuck politician

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Burgess Ronald San Angelo, right, closes out the Board of Mayor and Burgesses meeting July 2 next to Deputy Mayor Tamath Rossi. The meeting was the last for San Angelo, who is starting his new job as town administrator for Hanson, Mass. on Monday. –LUKE MARSHALL
Burgess Ronald San Angelo, right, closes out the Board of Mayor and Burgesses meeting July 2 next to Deputy Mayor Tamath Rossi. The meeting was the last for San Angelo, who is starting his new job as town administrator for Hanson, Mass. on Monday. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — One of Naugatuck’s native sons is heading north.

For more than 20 years Ronald San Angelo, 50, has served the borough of Naugatuck in many capacities: as a Youth Services board member, a burgess,  a two-term mayor and one of its state representatives.

Now San Angelo is ready to take his leadership skills about three hours northeast to the town of Hanson, Mass. where he will work as the town administrator. He was offered the position in June.

San Angelo, who has lived almost all of his life in the borough, will end his long service to Naugatuck on Friday. He will start his new position in Hanson on Monday.

San Angelo said one of the things he is going to miss about Naugatuck is its residents.

“They’ve been fantastic to me. They’ve been very kind,” San Angelo said.

During the Board of Mayor and Burgesses’ July 2 meeting Mayor Robert Mezzo turned the final part of the meeting over to San Angelo.
“It has been a pleasure to serve with you over many years,” Mezzo said. “I remember a lot of great things you’ve done for the Borough of Naugatuck. One thing I’ve always said is, no matter if we agree or not, you’re always a gentleman and always someone who can maintain a level of respect and decorum and I’m honored to call you a friend.”

Mezzo told San Angelo the borough will look back on his years of service and see all of the good he has done.

During the meeting each burgesses took time to wish San Angelo well.

“I just wanted to say it’s been great working with you. I appreciate all the work you’ve done for the borough and at the state level. We’re going to miss you,” Burgess Michael Bronko said.

San Angelo thanked the mayor, telling him he was happy to have worked with him. He also thanked all the burgesses for their hard work in the borough.

“It’s been an honor working with all of you. I want to thank all of you. It’s been a lot of fun. We went through some difficult times and difficult decisions together, but in the end what’s great about working with all of you is that your hearts are always in the borough of Naugatuck,” San Angelo said.

With San Angelo’s departure the board will now have a vacancy to fill. According to the Borough Charter the board will have to fill the position within 90 days of it becoming vacant. The new candidate has to be from the same party of the person that vacated the position. In the case of San Angelo this means a Republican.

After the meeting Mezzo, said the borough had not yet explored a replacement for San Angelo in detail. Mezzo said he expects to consult with Republican Town Committee Chairman Dorothy Hoff on his replacement.

Although he is leaving, San Angelo said he will always consider the borough to be his home.

“I will always love Naugatuck and always be supportive of whatever Naugatuck does. It will always be home,” San Angelo said.