East Haven's Management/Economic Director Ray Baldwin Resigns

EAST HAVEN, CT —Saying he's looking to find a position closer to his Trumbull home, and one that "preferably" involves fewer work hours," East Haven's director of Administration and Management, and the town's economic development leader, Raymond G. Baldwin, has resigned. effective April 15.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working on Mayor Carfora’s team," Baldwin wrote in a letter forwarded to Patch Tuesday. "I thank Mayor Carfora for the opportunity to assist in advancing East Haven forward in its economic development."

East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora said he accepted Baldwin's resignation Monday.

"First and foremost, I want to thank Ray for his service to our country. As a former Marine, a former police officer, and a former First Selectman, he brought a sage perspective to his position. I also can’t thank him enough for his commitment to East Haven."

Baldwin was hired in August 2020 on an interim basis, while the coronavirus still had a tight grip and a tropical storm wreaked havoc.

Read the full Patch story about Baldwin here.

Carfora said Tuesday that Baldwin came aboard "during what became turbulent and uncharted times, (and) his character brought us stability."

"Ray was committed to assisting us in any way, and he did. His understanding of municipal government combined with his abundant contacts at the state and federal levels marshalled East Haven to the front of the line on numerous occasions," Carfora said in a statement. "Ray is one of the reasons that the “new” East Haven exists—East Haven now gets return phone calls from the top state economic development leaders."

A former Trumbull four-term First Selectman, he serves as Trumbull's Police Commission chair, and was a Trumbull police officer in the 1970s and 80s. Baldwin practiced law but was soon immersed in local government roles, including serving on the Board of Finance, Golf Commission, and Veteran's Advisory Committee. In 2001, he was sworn in as First Selectman and led the town until 2009.

"I always enjoyed attending regional leadership meetings with Ray—he worked the room like a professional. Ray recently took his first vacation since coming o work with us. It was during this time away he decided that he desires to work fewer hours in a position that is closer to his Trumbull home, which will enable him to play more golf with his many friends," Carfora said. "At his request, he will be working remotely until his last day with us."

Carfora said he considers Baldwin "a friend, and someone I can call for advice." He thanked Baldwin for his commitment to East Haven.

And Baldwin praised Carfora and his administration.

"I wish Joe Carfora and the entire team well. Joe is a good, caring person who does things the right way while leading the community that he was raised in," Baldwin wrote.