Politics & Government

Town Employees Who Work Together, Zumba Together

Twice a week, Branford's workers shed their work attire and don fitness gear for a group workout.

Manny Furtado, Branford’s head of the Water Pollution Control Facility, is the frontrunner of a town group, but we’re not talking politics; we’re talking Zumba.

The only male in the town employee fitness class, which incorporates toning and traditional Zumba techniques, Furtado is challenging other Branford workers to come and see what the class is all about.

“I encourage everyone to come out,” said a sweating Furtado following last Thursday’s class held at the (the group meets Tuesday and Thursdays 4:45 – 5:45 p.m.). “I think it helps with morale. It’s nice to go to and say, ‘There’s my Zumba buddy.’”

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Furtado and Nancy Cohen, Activities Director for the Senior Center, helped to organize the Zumba class as a compliment to a town-wide fitness program that has been going on since last summer. Initially, the fitness program was created to prepare employees for competition in the tri-town Biggest Winner weight loss contest between East Haven, North Branford and Branford, which closed in November (currently the Branford Fire Department is running a contest).

Mindy Yester, Assistant dropped a significant amount of weight during the competition and enjoys keeping the weight off during the twice weekly Zumba classes. Next to her colleagues, with Zumba’s upbeat Latin rhythms flowing, Yester said the difference between class and work is: “I don’t wear t-shirts to work and sweat all over the place.” She added, “Prior to this, my idea of losing weight was flipping pages.”

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The class is led by Zumba instructor Laura Quillia who compliments her crowd of about eight regular participants stating, “They are getting a great opportunity and these guys are troopers.”

Clad in a headset, Quillia calls to the group who follows instruction and then doles out much welcomed breaks between sets. “Nice and easy; this is your break” Quillia coaches. “I love when she says that,” Furtado mumbles.

Furtado is an active person who runs three miles a day during more seasonable weather and though he's relatively new to Zumba, he’s taken to the exercise with ease – save for the hip shaking. “The comfort zone…” said Frutado, “it goes away really quick.”

Zumba with Laura Quillia
Tuesday and Thursday, 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.
Canoe Brook Senior Center
Town employees only; flat fee spilt among members
Call 203-488-3125 to join


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