A Day in the Life: Anthony P. Esposito Jr.

A resident of North Branford since he was seven years old, Anthony P. Esposito, Jr. has been serving the town in one way or another for decades. But after this multi-tasking public servant wraps up his day job, there’s no down time. Esposito gave Patch a look at how he spends his time when he’s not in the office and why he won’t be leaving any time soon.  

North Branford Patch: How did you come to be North Branford’s ?

Esposito: I started working for the town in 1992 and I started in a position called staff accountant. Two years later, there was an opening for the finance director position. I applied and was successfully chosen and I’ve been here ever since.

North Branford Patch: How did you get involved with the ?

Esposito: I’ve been in the fire department in various forms since I was 14 years old. I was in the junior fire department until I was elected into adult membership at 18. I’ve held a variety of roles from firefighter to captain, Fire Commissioner on the board, Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners, Deputy District Chief and now Deputy Chief.

North Branford Patch: How do you balance the two positions?

Esposito: It’s an interesting mix because when topics relate to both implications, it gives me the unique ability to see both sides of the equation.

North Branford Patch: What does a typical day in the life of Anthony Esposito entail?

Esposito: Typically I’ll bring my daughter to at 7:25 a.m., I’ll get to work at around 7:30 a.m. and get a lot accomplished in that hour before other folks arrive. Monday evening I teach accounting at Quinnipiac University, Tuesday evenings after work I teach my youngest son’s religious education class at . On top of that, at night there are the Town Council meetings at twice a month and the Board of Fire Commissioners meeting once a month. More importantly I’m a dad to four children and that occupies a lot of my time. My wife is a wonderful woman who is very patient with all these activities I’m involved in. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I love my life and I enjoy my job. Every day is different. I look forward to family time–I have great friends and great family.  

North Branford Patch: What is the most difficult aspect of your position as Finance Director?

Esposito: Right now we’re in the middle of budget season, which is always an interesting time. Departments have the opportunity to meet with me and the to review their budgets and present changes or capitol projects that would benefit them. It becomes a balancing act as far as the limited resources we have. Some ideas get passed on, some don’t. It’s challenging because a lot of departments have great ideas, it’s just a matter of being able to fund all of them. 

North Branford Patch: Do things slow down for you at any point?

Esposito: The budget is approved in the referendum in May, then in May and June we prepare the final version, then the fiscal year ends June 30. Then we work on closing the fiscal year, which will take us to September through October, and then December starts the new cycle.

North Branford Patch: What is it about North Branford that has made you stay all these years?

Esposito: There’s basically two schools of thought. Some children look forward to leaving to go to a different way of life. Then there’s another school of thought that a lot of people who grow up in town stay in town. I really enjoy working at Town Hall in the town where I grew up. People will come in to get a license or pay something and I’ll get to say ‘hi’ to people who have lived here the last 40 years.