Patch Candidate Profile: Eileen Parlato, East Haven Town Council

EAST HAVEN, CT —The 2023 municipal election is heating up in East Haven and there are plenty of local races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

East Haven Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Republican Eileen Paralto, 54, of East Haven, is running for Town Council, District 1.

Education.

BS Fire Science, Arson Investigation. I am working towards a master's degree in Public Administration (MPA) and a second in Emergency Management (MS).

What is your occupation?

Retired

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Two children, Noah and Jordan, both East Haven residents. Noah is a career firefighter and Jordan has a Master's degree in Biology and works in a hospital.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My sister-in-law Samantha Parlato is currently a Town Council member and is running for Mayor.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

no

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I have spent my entire life volunteering for and serving my community. I want to be actively involved in ensuring our community is an inclusive space where people work together for the betterment of the town.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is economic factors. These issues directly affect the financial stability of families. As a member of the Town Council, I will support responsible financial decisions. We have to balance what we want as a community with what we can afford. In these difficult economic times, we must strive to keep taxes affordable, so as not to further burden our residents.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a unique perspective having experienced the town from two viewpoints, as an employee and as a taxpayer. I recently retired from the fire department after 28 1/2 years of service. During those years I was witness to the inner workings of a town department. Although there were years when my union gave back to the town during hard financial times, the focus was the needs of our department.
As a taxpayer, the focus is the entire town and the needs of every department. It takes prudent decision-making to ensure all departments can operate efficiently, fulfilling their contractual obligations, while keeping the "purse" of the taxpayer in mind.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

This administration received $8.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding during the pandemic. This money was used for numerous projects in the town. The challenge will be the maintenance and continuation of these projects within a normal operating budget when those funds are expended. This will take prudent and responsible financial decision-making.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I hope to work together to maintain the quality of life of the residents of East Haven. Tweed expansion is a looming issue. There are residents both for and against the expansion. An environmental impact study should be conducted. Whatever the outcome, it is imperative East Haven residents receive the same benefits New Haven residents have received and the town is compensated for the foreseeable burdens encumbered by the expansion.
We must also address our struggling educational system. This will take a collaborative effort between the town and the superintendent to ensure monies are being spent on the strategies our children need to succeed.
I also support expanding the number of patrol officers on duty daily, not just when a tragedy occurs. This increase will not only address resident concerns but officer safety as well. I hope to work with the mayor and the police chief to accomplish this goal by researching possible funding streams.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As mentioned before, I recently retired from the East Haven Fire Department after 28 1/2 years of service. I was a Battalion Chief for 16 years, in charge of the safety and well-being of my crew, the town, its residents, and visitors. During those years I was in command of numerous fires, motor vehicle accidents, and hazardous materials incidents, among various other calls for service. I was involved with both of the recent tragic plane crashes.
I believe my proven leadership skills, my ability to think clearly under stress, and my capability to work effectively as part of a team has thoroughly prepared me for this position.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice I have received is to be true to myself and to be courageous enough to stand up for what I believe in.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have volunteered for the Momauguin Recreation League, East Haven Little League, East Haven CleanUp, East Haven Fall Festival, and St. Vincent de Paul School. I was awarded the 2012 St. Vincent de Paul Distinguished Graduate Award.
For 17 years I was co-chair of the East Haven Firefighter's Local 1205 Fire Truck Christmas Tree program providing Christmas gifts to hundreds of East Haven children each year.
I was chairperson of the T. William Webster Memorial Scholarship for 5 years, running golf tournaments and bowling fundraisers that helped distribute scholarships to East Haven High School graduating seniors.
I am a member of East Haven Fire Department Volunteer Company 1 as an EMT/FF.
As a member of the Shoreline Medical Response Corp, I administered vaccines to hundreds of residents during the pandemic. I was also a Vaccine Trainer.
At the East Haven Food Pantry, I coordinate and help deliver food to home-bound residents and work with an amazing team of volunteers throughout the week to serve the food insecurity of our community.
I have traveled to Haiti where I, along with Carmine Riccitelli, taught Haitian health agents first-aid and emergency medical skills. I also assisted with a dental mission.
As a member of Team Rubicon, an International Disaster Response organization, I helped rebuild homes in Texas after Hurricane Harvey. Locally, I was called to action as a sawyer after the microburst hit our community in 2020.
I am an Assistant Registrar of Voters for the town of East Haven.