Hamden Council Votes March 9 on Fontana as Economic Development Director

Hamden Council to Confirm New Economic Development Chief at March 9 Meeting

Hamden's Legislative Council will vote on the confirmation of Stephen Fontana as the town's Economic Development Director at its Monday, March 9, 2026 meeting, held at Council Chambers in Memorial Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public with no admission required.

Mayor Adam Sendroff nominated Fontana on February 17. If confirmed by the Legislative Council, Fontana will take on a new role for the town — Hamden has not previously had a dedicated economic development director — leading business recruitment, commercial retention, and development project coordination.

About the Nominee

Fontana brings an extensive regional resume to the position. He served 12 years as Director of Economic Development for the City of West Haven, overseeing residential, commercial, and industrial projects through permitting and construction. Prior to that role, he served as Deputy Director of Economic Development for the City of New Haven.

Before entering municipal government, Fontana served seven terms as a state representative from North Haven in the Connecticut General Assembly, providing him with direct familiarity with state financing programs, economic incentive structures, and the legislative process for economic development funding.

Fontana holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law and a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management. He is a Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council.

"He has a record of delivering transformative projects on a consistent basis," Sendroff said in the announcement of the nomination.

What a Confirmed Appointment Would Mean for Hamden

Hamden sits along the Route 10 corridor and borders New Haven, Cheshire, Bethany, Woodbridge, and North Haven, with mixed-use commercial corridors and several industrial areas that have long attracted interest from developers and businesses. The addition of a dedicated economic development director would give the town a point of contact and advocate for businesses looking to invest or expand.

Regional coordination has also taken on new importance with the election of West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer as chair of the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) in February 2026. SCRCOG coordinates economic, transportation, and land use planning across 15 municipalities including Hamden. Fontana's background in both West Haven and New Haven gives him established working relationships across the region.

The Hamden Legislative Council meets regularly to approve mayoral appointments, budget amendments, and policy changes. The March 9 meeting is expected to include other agenda items beyond the Fontana confirmation. The full agenda will be posted on the town's official website ahead of the session.

Residents wishing to comment or submit testimony on the appointment or other agenda items should review the posting on CivicPlus for the Legislative Council's participation guidelines.

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