South Windsor Council Names Water Pollution Control Facility After Carino

For the 50 years that Joseph Carino volunteered on various South Windsor boards and commissions, he never sought recognition or remuneration.

Which is what makes it even more special that the Town Council on Tuesday unanimously approved naming the Water Pollution Control Facility in honor of Carino.

The building will now be known as the Joseph J. Carino Water Pollution Control Facility.

“I don’t think he expected this,” Town Councilor Keith Yagaloff said. “He was never looking for recognition. So it’s actually quite exciting to do something like this for Joe.”

It was the rare move that was universally praised by town councilors, members of the public and other elected officials.

Indeed, both Democrats and Republicans on the council praised Carino’s dedication to his posts, most recently on the Water Pollution Control Authority (for 35 years) and the Economic Development Commission, as well as to the town.

“One of the hallmarks of Joe Carino was that over those years, he could sit on three different commissions and have perfect attendance,” Mayor Tom Delnicki said. “Joe is a humble person. Hopefully this will be a great surprise and a great honor.”

Deputy Mayor Gary Bazzano agreed.

“Once a building is named after you, you know you’ve done a lot,” said Bazzano, who was on the Public Lands and Buildings Subcommittee that recommended the building’s name change.

Councilor Ed Havens said that Carino’s contribution to the community “should be in history books” written about the town.

“Joe served 50 years during the most active time of growth in this community,” Havens said. “It’s just unbelievable. … He sets an example for people who serve in the community.”

Prior to the vote, state Rep. Bill Aman (R-South Windsor) told the council that Carino contributed more to the town than any other individual of whom he could think.

The current chairman of the Water Pollution Control Authority, Richard Aries, also endorsed the council’s naming the facility after Carino.

“We all owe him a debt of gratitude,” Aries wrote in a letter that was read into the record.

Later, Delnicki said that if there is ever a South Windsor Volunteer Hall of Fame established, Carino should be the first inductee.