MEET THE 2025 CANDIDATES
Get to know the 2025 BVIA Board of Governors candidates who are dedicated to enhancing Bay View's community.
ELIZABETH SCHILDGEN
TERESA SIRICO
KEVIN GILBERT
DR. RACHAEL PETTITI
AMY MARGOLIS
Elizabeth Schildgen
​I started as a young child spending summers in Bay View and have been a year round resident/owner since 1985. I was a high school mathematics teacher, counselor, and Assistant Principal. I am presently Chairman of the BVIA and have served on every major committee. Previously I’ve served on the Milford Board of Education, and volunteered for nonprofit organizations. I am presently a Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway.
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How long have you lived in Bay View?
My mother rented a cottage in Bay View every summer when my sister and I were children we never wanted to go home to Waterbury at the end of the summer. My mother then purchased a little cottage in Bay View on Orland St. when I was a teenager.
My sister and I purchased our Warren St. home and spent weekends here until we decided to become year round residents.​
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What is your favorite thing about Bay View?
Our Beautiful beach, without a doubt. We live in a diverse community of 350+ houses with different viewpoints but the one thing we all have in common is that we all love our private beach.
How have you worked to improve Bay View in the past?
I was a lifeguard on our beach when I was in college. I have volunteered to serve on budget, recreation, nominating committees, lifeguard supervision, beach maintenance, and have always worked to protect our charter. After a resident complaint to DEEP regarding our no permit for buoys, I worked with the agency to purchase new permitted buoys. This involved a year delay without buoys and over a $5,000 expense for a survey and buoys.
What are your plans for the future?
I will work to see that Bay View continues to maintain our Private Beach status, preserve our Charter, keep our beach in good condition, and make decisions that help the value of your property increase, not decrease.
Teresa Sirico​
I serve as Vice Chairman of the Bay View Improvement Association. I am a Realtor Broker and own my own agency. I hold a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree which has supported my leadership, communication, and service. Professionally, I’ve been
honored as Realtor of the Year, Educator of the Year, past President. Over the past 15 years, I’ve proudly served on the Board, contributing to decisions, community engagement, and organizational growth .
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How long have you lived in Bay View?
My connection to this community began with summers spent here, eventually becoming a permanent resident in 1998.
​What is your favorite thing about Bay View?
Bay View has always held a special place for me and my family. What I treasure most is the natural beauty, peaceful beach, shimmering water, and the restful ocean breeze. What a wonderful place to live.
How have you worked to improve Bay View in the past?
Over the past 10 years as a Board member, I’ve worked consistently to protect and enhance the Bay View community. My efforts have included:
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Beach Maintenance: I coordinate seasonal upkeep and long-term preservation strategies to ensure our beach remains safe, clean, and enjoyable for all residents.
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Member Advocacy: As a lifelong resident I’ve listened to concerns from fellow members and worked to resolve issues promptly and respectfully.
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Hurricane Preparedness: I’ve contributed to emergency planning and communication efforts, helping ensure that Bay View is ready to severe weather events.
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Board Leadership: My long-standing service has involved strategic making policy, development, and agreement with other Board members to maintain the wonders of our “beach”. I take pride in being a hands-on contributor who works to protect and improve.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, my priority is to maintain and enhance the services that make Bay View such a special place—starting with continued care of our beach and shoreline. I plan to support proactive maintenance that preserve safety, beauty, and accessibility for all residents.
Equally important is responsible budget management. This includes reviewing expenditures, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring that every dollar spent reflects the values and priorities of our community.
My goal is to protect what we love about Bay View while preparing thoughtfully for the future.
Kevin Gilbert​​
I live on East Ave with my wife Alison and have 3 adult sons.
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How long have you lived in Bay View?
We’ve lived in Bay View for 7 years.
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​What is your favorite thing about Bay View?
My favorite thing about Bay View is the feeling of community.
How have you worked to improve Bay View in the past?
​I’ve performed landscaping, beach maintenance, lifeguard stand maintenance and storage, boat rack staining, beach mat installation, swim buoy installation, and swim barrier purchase, assembly, and installation.
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What are your plans for the future?
I would like to strive for continuing beach beautification, possible boardwalk/beach mat extension, and developing a more frequent forum to hear community members, wants, needs, and desires.
Dr. Rachael A. Pettiti
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I live on Milesfield Avenue with my wife, Sandi, and our Australian Labradoodle, Maverick, a certified therapy dog who embodies my belief in health, wellness, and community connection.
I have decades of professional experience as a healthcare leader, regulator, and professor in the School of Health Sciences at the University of New Haven, bringing a strong record of service, collaboration, and commitment to community well-being.
I have held senior leadership roles in nonprofit organizations and served as the Director of Mental Health Treatment Services for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. ​​
How long have you lived in Bay View?
I have been a proud member of the Bayview community since 1982 and a homeowner since 1996.
What is your favorite thing about Bay View?
Our beautiful beach has always been special to me, dating back to my summers as head lifeguard on Bayview Beach. Bay View truly is our little slice of heaven—a community where neighbors care for one another.
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How have you worked to improve Bay View in the past?
I currently serve as the Chair of the Bayview Beach Safety Committee, working to ensure that our neighborhood remains safe and welcoming for all.
What are your plans for the future?
My vision is a safe, healthy, and thriving Bayview community where neighbors feel secure and proud to call home.
Amy Margolis
I am happy to have an opportunity to introduce myself to the Bay View community. Since moving here over 15 years ago, I have become more and more motivated to have an impact on our one-of-a-kind association.
I am a retired Yale University administrator, having spent more than 35 years working in pediatrics and autism. My roles encompassed teaching and training, design and implementation of programs, outreach, dissemination and multiple roles related to federal funding and oversight. What I’ve valued most are the interactions and relationships with an incredibly diverse group— from international academics and emerging scholars to families of children and adults with autism. The relationships built along the way remain one of the most meaningful aspects of my career.
Since retiring, I work part-time, supporting an organization that promotes gender equity and diversity at the University.
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How long have you lived in Bay View?
By the standards of many in the community, I’m a “newbie” …..having moved here in 2010. Soon after, my husband Bob retired from his Optometry practice in Philadelphia and joined the community full-time. Becoming part of this neighborhood, creating new relationships and friendships, has made us both value this very special part of Milford. Between us we have five daughters, five sons-in-law and six grandchildren. We all love Bay View.
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What is your favorite thing about Bay View?
Hard to choose between the beach and the people. Neither would be as special without the other! The beach is the cornerstone and heart of Bay View. It brings people together, providing fun and laughter, but also peace, calm and escape.
How have you worked to improve Bay View in the past?
My personal contributions are through volunteerism. Clean up days, discussion and reflections on beach improvements, community building, and cooperation. And happily – occasional watering of the sea grasses, shrubs, and coastal plants along the beach fence. That beautiful enhancement is the work of my husband, Bob Wortman, Sue Lussier and Pat McComish – all of whom have worked tirelessly to clean out, plant, water and maintain the fence area. Volunteerism in action.
What are your plans for the future?
We are an association with many different histories, all with special connections to Bay View. We can learn from each other, offering ideas that come from years of experience as well as from new perspectives. My hopes are two-fold: One, to assist in continued improvements and maintenance to the beach and adjacent areas. Our current committees and leadership have done a wonderful job in keeping our charter secure while addressing current needs. But each year, varied issues can arise – weather impacts, personnel, maintenance, hiring, and more. To address these needs, my second hope is to facilitate constructive, respectful communication throughout the community and leadership. Our constituency is varied – different ages, individuals, families – and we all have much to offer. By working together, sharing thoughts openly, and treating each other with respect, we can preserve our strong, and unique community.