DiBella will not seek re-election as MDC chair.

William DiBella, the Hartford and Old Saybrook Democrat, will not seek re-election as the chairperson of the MDC when regional water and sewage authority meets this week for its biennial election of officers, Daily Ructions has learned. DiBella’s current stint as chair of the MDC board began in 2002. He also held the job from 1977 to 1981.

The MDC is one of the last outposts of significant public agency patronage for MDC board members and other officials. DiBella, 80, has long been the master of increasing and wielding the agency’s influence. With its diffuse system of appointing commissioners, the MDC answers to no one–and that’s how they like it.

There have been challenges to DiBella’s authority by commissioners but they have not been able to muster the votes to oust DiBella.

DiBella’s departure from the top job would in most organizations be a moment to pass the leadership to a new generation. The MDC being what it is will likely ignore that opportunity and elect East Hartford Democrat Donald Currey to succeed DiBella.

No one will be surprised if DiBella’s departure as chairperson is followed by him seeking a another position at Wednesday’s election of officers, vice chair.

Wednesday’s meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be available to watch on Webex.

Published January 8, 2024.