Regional Water Authority Announces Changes to Its Governing Panels

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – July 26, 2023 — The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) today announced changes to its two oversight boards.

Mario Ricozzi of Branford was appointed to the not-for-profit water utility’s five-member Authority Board, as of July 1. He filled the seat left vacant following the passing earlier this year of longtime board member Anthony DiSalvo.

Prior to his appointment to the Authority Board, Ricozzi had represented Branford on the RWA’s Representative Policy Board (RPB), which he had chaired for the past four years. The RPB is a separate oversight panel comprising representatives of the 20 municipalities in the RWA’s region, as well as a gubernatorial appointee.

“Although we are saddened by the circumstances that created the vacancy, we are delighted to welcome Mario Ricozzi to the Authority Board,” said Authority Board Chair David J. Borowy. “Mario’s previous service on the RPB and his expertise in infrastructure management will be invaluable as we realize our vision of sustaining life, strengthening our communities, and protecting natural resources for future generations.”

“Mario’s leadership, experience, and spirit of service will play a vital role in ensuring our organization meets the region’s water and land management needs now and into the future,” added RWA President and Chief Executive Officer Larry L. Bingaman.

Ricozzi brings more than 40 years of experience in infrastructure design, operation, maintenance, and management to the Authority Board. In addition to his previous role on the RPB, he has made significant contributions to other utilities and municipalities, including the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority, the City of Danbury and the Village of Mamaroneck, N.Y. He was also chair of the Town of Branford’s Recycling and Solid Waste Commission, and he contributed to various committees focused on improving the town’s infrastructure.

“I am honored to join the Authority Board of the RWA and excited to work with my fellow board members, the leadership team, and the RPB to further the RWA’s mission of providing customers with high-quality water and services at a reasonable cost, while promoting the preservation of watershed lands and aquifers,” Ricozzi said.

Ricozzi has served on the boards of several professional and technical organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers, and the Connecticut Water Works Association. On July 1, he joined the board of the National Institute for Engineering Ethics. He has also worked in private practice with the consulting engineering firm Greiner, Inc.

Robert E. Harvey, Jr., the RPB’s representative from Prospect, was selected as the RPB’s new chair at its June 22 meeting. Harvey has been a member of the RPB since 1991 and had served as its vice chair since 2021. He works at Industrial Flow Solutions of New Haven, and is a captain in the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, which he joined in 1979.

“It has been my privilege to serve on the RWA’s Representative Policy Board for the last 31 years. As its new chairman, I am looking forward to helping the RPB faithfully execute its oversight responsibility on behalf of the RWA’s customers and in support of its purpose, mission and vision.”

Naomi Campbell, the RPB representative from New Haven and chair of the nominating committee, added: “Bob was the natural choice for the role of chair when it became available, given his many years of service to the RPB and his longstanding community leadership.”

The RPB also announced the following new officers: Stephen Mongillo of Hamden, Vice Chair; Jamie Mowat Young of Killingworth, Secretary; and Tim Slocum of Cheshire, Treasurer. The Town of Branford is expected to backfill Ricozzi’s seat on the RPB.

About the Regional Water Authority

Trusted since 1849, the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) is a nonprofit water utility and environmental services corporation that makes life better for people by providing high-quality water and services to almost 430,000 people in 15 cities and towns throughout Greater New Haven. As a conscious business, the RWA acts as a responsible steward of the environment by protecting the more than 27,000 acres of watershed land it owns and promoting sustainable practices. Our employees work toward our vision of being an innovative water utility that sustains life, strengthens communities, and protects natural resources for future generations. For more information on the RWA, please visit rwater.com.