Pilla, Didden Say 'Farewells' at their Final Port Chester Village Board Meeting

Sitting side-by-side as they have at every meeting, Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla and village Trustee Bart Didden both said their farewells Monday night as their terms on the village Board of Trustees come to an end.

Both Pilla and Didden were defeated in the March 19 village elections, and their terms end today as the new mayor and trustees take office at noon. Monday night was the final Board of Trustees meeting for Pilla and Didden.

"I set out the run Port Chester like a business, and I think we accomplished that," said Pilla, who unsuccessfully sought a fourth two-year term. Today, Port Chester Republican Neil Pagano becomes mayor.

Pilla said that while he is leaving office, he is not leaving Port Chester. In an interview, Pilla said he hopes to use his government experience again in the future in some new government-related role.

Pilla and Didden both thanked Port Chester residents for their support, and praised the Port Chester village staff and village workers.

"I'll miss the discussions and the talks," Didden said as he praised the village's full-time administrative staff.

Didden said that while he will be out of office, he will continue to offer help and guidance to fellow village residents as they advocate for improvements to Port Chester.

Port Chester residents attending Monday's Board of Trustees session stepped up to the microphone during public comment portions of the meeting to thank both Pilla and Didden for their service to the community on the board. Additionally, the board members also paused to remember Trustee John Branca, a former Port Chester mayor, who did not seek re-election and died on Sunday, March 24 after long illness.