By LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER
After serving as an elected official for over 30 years, State Representative Frank Nicastro (D-Bristol, Forestville) has decided not to seek re-election this November.
Nicastro, who currently serves the 79th District in the state legislature, announced last week he will retire from politics later this year. Born and raised in Bristol, Nicastro is currently serving his fifth consecutive term as state representative in the Connecticut General Assembly’s House of Democrats.
He has been appointed to assistant majority leader and serves on the Veteran’s Affairs, General Law, Public Safety, and Energy and Technology Committees.
“I served 34 years in government,” said Nicastro. “I’m 75—I feel it’s time to wrap it up.”
On the city side, Nicastro served four years on Bristol’s Inland Wetlands Agency and many years on the state’s Juvenile Justice Commission. Besides serving as a truant officer in Bristol for 17 years, Nicastro also served on the City Council for three consecutive terms from 1987 to 1993.
“I love being a service to people—especially when there’s a problem, and I can solve that problem,” said Nicastro, adding that it will be tough to say goodbye. “I made so many friends on both sides of the aisle—Republicans and Democrats.”
Known as always voting his conscience, Nicastro became mayor of Bristol in 1993, and served in that role for 10 years. As mayor, he chaired the Bristol Police, Fire, Park and Public Works Boards, and from 1998 to 2003, was chairman of the chief elected officials of the Workforce Development Board, which developed and administered job training programs for over 20 cities and towns. He also served on the Bristol Resource Recovery Authority.
Looking back on his political career, Nicastro recalled the time when GM closed its Delco Chassis plant in Bristol. Serving as mayor at the time, Nicastro’s administration helped put GM employees back to work through retraining.
“That was something I had to work very hard on,” said Nicastro, who also brought in new business as mayor.
Nicastro said he also felt proud to see Lake Compounce get back up on its feet, as the family amusement park nearly closed for an entire season. As mayor during that time, Nicastro requested the then-owners to pay back the taxes they owed.
“I was so proud that they made it,” said Nicastro, adding how he froze taxes for four years consecutive years as mayor.
He also will never forget the expansion of Route 72—something he pushed for as mayor despite opposition from others.
“When I got to the state…it came to pass,” said Nicastro, who was elected as state representative in 2006. “When I see all those cars on [Route 72] I’m so happy.”
In 2004, Nicastro was appointed as police commissioner in Bristol, and a year later, he returned to the City Council, winning his seat for another term from 2007 to 2009. While serving on the Council again, he was chairman of the Real Estate and Salary Committees, and others, while serving on the Police Board. He decided not to seek re-election on the Council in 2009.
Tom Colapietro, former state senator who served for 18 years, has known Nicastro since childhood.
“He had a good career,” said Colapietro, who also played trumpet with Nicastro growing up. “He’s done a good job.”
When Nicastro was first elected as state representative in 2006, Colapietro was chairman of the General Law Committee together at the state capitol. Calling the General Law Committee one of the most versatile committees, Colapietro said Nicastro always did what was best for the city of Bristol.
“He was very loyal to the committee, and to the people of Bristol,” said Colapietro adding it was easy to work with Nicastro. “He always voted his conscience.”
Colapietro added that Nicastro always listened.
“He always asked me about the issues. I always kept him briefed on what was going on, and he learned well,” said Colapietro. “He understood.”
Aside from serving his city and state, Nicastro also has served his country. He spent six years in the U.S. Navy, and was aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer during three of those years. Nicastro served 24 years in the Connecticut Army National Guard, where he played the lead trumpet with the 102nd Army Band and conducted the Yankee Jazz Ensemble.
When asked about his plans once his last term ends, Nicastro replied, “music, music, music.”
Since the age of 12, Nicastro has played the trumpet, and in 2004 was placed on orders by the state of Connecticut military department to be a member of the honor guard to play taps at military funerals throughout the region.
He also is a member of an orchestra called “Simply Swing,” which he plans to continue playing with.
“I plan on being with them and having another successful year,” said Nicastro, who has three children and six grandchildren.
Nicastro thanked the residents of Bristol and Forestville for always supporting him at both the state and local level.
“The people of Bristol and Forestville were always supportive of me, and I’ll always be grateful for that,” said Nicastro, who is a member of the Bristol Elks Lodge and the American Legion.
Frank Nicastro