New Brackenridge councilman has long history of borough service

Larry Chifulini was meant to serve on Brackenridge council.

Newly appointed for a second stint, Chifulini follows in his family footsteps, continuing decades of service to the borough where he was born and raised. His father, grandfather and grandmother all served on council.

“The first time I was around, my kids were small and it took a lot of time,” said Chifulini, 57. “I was also working 12- to 16-hour shifts at the sanitary authority.

“I’m retired now and I have time. I want to dedicate it to the community.”

The Broadview Boulevard resident was appointed May 1 to fill a vacancy left by John Stanzione, who announced he was stepping down in March.

Chifulini will serve the remainder of the year but will have to run in the November election to fill the two years left on Stanzione’s term, according to Solicitor Craig Alexander.

There are no other candidates on the ballot in Ward 2.

Mayor Lindsay Fraser said Chifulini and his family have been dedicated to the community for years.

“We’re grateful that Larry has stepped up to continue this commitment,” Fraser said.

Chifulini plans to take some time to get reacquainted with the daily business of the borough. He recognized that the town’s vitality has changed since he first served in the early 2000s. But he’s hoping to help with a revival.

“It’s the same in all the old steel mill towns,” he said. “When you’re looking at bills for a small municipality and funds are strapped, you can’t pave every street and keep everyone happy.”

Through agencies like the Brackenridge Improvement Group, however, Chifulini believes residents can shine a light on all the good the borough has to offer. Co-founded by his father, the Improvement Group initially performed park cleanups and smaller events but has flourished in recent years with major projects like the renovation of the park castle and plans for a community orchard.

“I was my dad’s right-hand man on the castle project,” Chifulini said. “That project meant the world to him.”

The 30-foot war monument is an impressive stone archway that is a big draw for photos at the park. When its 80-year-old exterior needed an expensive facelift in 2018, Improvement Group members raised $35,000 with help from the Brackenridge American Legion and other donors.

Chifulini said projects like that help boost community pride. Next up, he said, the group is eyeing the return of the BIG Street Fair, a daylong festivity that fills Brackenridge Avenue with food trucks, musicians and entertainment.

“We have dedicated volunteers but we need a lot of people to make that happen,” he said. “It’s a nice day for the kids. It’s a great way to get the community together.”

Chifulini’s childhood memories of growing up in Brackenridge are dear to him. He said several members of his extended family lived on Brackenridge Avenue.

He’s proud to have helped during his early days on council to plan significant revitalization that included the realignment of Mile Lock Lane ahead of planning for ATI’s $1.2 billion Hot Rolling and Processing Facility, which sits at the borough line with Harrison.

He also served as the borough’s representative to the sewer authority.

“When I resigned, there was a lot going on,” he said.

“I have time now and my heart is here. Brackenridge is home.”