Charles Marenghi, the Vice President of the Naugatuck Teachers' League, was arrested Nov. 30 on charges of operating (driving) under the influence and failure to drive right.
According to police, Marenghi, a 44-year-old resident of 241 City Hill St., was driving on Village Circle at 12:54 a.m. when he was pulled over for an alleged motor vehicle violation.
"During the investigation it was determined that the accused was operating under the influence of alcohol," police said.
In a statement to Naugatuck Patch, Marenghi said, "On the evening of Nov. 29 I went out socially with a few friends after a long rehearsal. In the course of the evening, I made an extremely poor choice. As a result, I am taking full responsibility for my actions. Rest assured nothing like this one-time offense will ever happen again."
In addition to his role with the education union, Marenghi is active in many civic affairs within the borough.
He's a teacher at Cross Street Intermediate School (grades 5, 6) and, as chairman of the Naugatuck Arts Commission, he co-founded the Naugatuck Community Choir and Band. Also, as a co-founder and co-chairman of the Davis Auditorium Committee (DARC) Marenghi worked to raise $1.4 million dollars to renovate the Naugatuck High School auditorium. Currently, he directs the Naugatuck Community Band and serves on several committees and commissions, including the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library Trustees, of which he is the chairman. He also is a youth baseball coach in Naugatuck.
Just last year Marenghi was honored with the Naugatuck Rotary Club's distinguished Paul Harris Award, an annual recognition bestowed upon someone in the community who has exemplified outstanding professional achievement while maintaining very high ethical standards.
Police said Marenghi was released on a $500 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Dec. 6.
"This one time mistake on my part has taken its toll on both me and my family," Margenghi said. "I only ask that people respect my family’s privacy as we deal with this situation and its ramifications."
