Page 54 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 59 Spring 2026

Town Government

by Rajan Doering
We are well into 2026, and several ex- (one of whom greeted me in his office
citing changes are taking place in the when I went to speak with him), cycling, SCHOOL
Wallingford town government. For this and performing in local bands. DISTRICT
article, I gathered a few of the largest
changes we will be seeing this year. Councilors Testa and Carmody are both The school district is quite excited to
excited to work together with each oth- have moved several of its operations
GENERAL er, the Councilors of both parties, and into 4 Fairfield Boulevard. This building
now houses Adult Education, Transition
Mayor Cervoni on important town mat-
GOVERNMENT ters, such as the annual budget, high Academy, and Central Office.
school consolidation, continued evalua-
tion of town properties, and downtown Adult Education provides so much to our
Mayor Cervoni has started his second development. town, ranging from GED programs to
term, and the Town Council elected new English classes to personal enrichment
leadership (Chairperson Vinnie Testa Both Councilors expressed how much classes. Adult Education was previous-
and Vice-Chairperson Samuel Carmody) they have enjoyed their time in elected ly in the Historic Train Station, and this
in January. I sat down with all three of office thus far because it gives them the new building allows it to have a much
them to learn more about what they opportunity to make decisions that af- larger space to operate its programs and
view as their biggest accomplishments fect the quality of life of themselves and serve its students.
so far, their vision for the future, and their neighbors. Both emphasized how
who they are outside of their govern- much they love working in a bipartisan Transition Academy serves young adults
ment capacities.
fashion, in contrast to the polarizing po- with special needs. It is a vital resource
litical rhetoric at the national level. to help these students make the transi-
Mr. Cervoni is in his second term as tion from childhood to adulthood. It has
Mayor, after having previously served Councilor Testa is excited to take on this held various spaces throughout town
on the Town Council since 2010. He is leadership role after twenty-eight years over the last few years, and it now has a
proud of the technological progress that in elected office in Wallingford. Specifi- permanent space.
was made during his first term as Mayor, cally, he said he believes his job as a cu-
such as adding online bill pay. He is also linary teacher in the school district gives Moving the Board of Education’s admin-
proud of the work that has been done him a good perspective on the town and istrative offices to a building owned by
on creating maintenance plans for town its needs. the town also benefits the town, as this
buildings, the continued development avoids the need to pay rent for offices.
of Community Pool Park, and ongoing Councilor Carmody shared that he has
sidewalk maintenance and paving. Mr. known Councilor Testa most of his life
Cervoni has been an attorney since the and is excited to join him in this ca-
1990s and practiced in municipal law, pacity. Councilor Carmody is newer in
thus sparking his interest in public ser- his elected role, having served on the
vice. He continues to practice law part- Town Council since 2022, and previously
time when he is not at town hall. He also served in various roles in town, includ-
enjoys spending time with his two dogs
ing the Zoning Board of Appeals.

54 WALLINGFORD MAGAZINE - SPRING 2026