We reached out to both the Haddam Republican Town Committee and the Haddam Democratic Town Committee and asked candidates to respond to a set of questions; if a candidate did not respond, their name is listed, so that you know who is running for each office. Updates from all candidates are welcome, and will be published as Letters to the Editor. The questions posed to the candidates were:
Margo Chase-Wells (Republican)
Margo has served two terms as a Commissioner on Planning and Zoning, and two terms on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Her experience deemed from these years of service well qualify her for another term on the ZBA.
Margo and her husband of 41 years have lived in Haddam since 1983, and have embraced its small-town intimate feel. Margo has served on several boards and as a coach in Haddam youth sports of baseball, football, and soccer. She is the founder of Haddam T-ball, and taught for Haddam Park & Rec. Margo is a retired physical education instructor with a BS degree and an MS degree from Southern Connecticut State University. She spent 14 years as Secretary of the Ct Association of Retired Teachers and President of the Middlesex County Retired Teachers Association.
Margo either has, or is currently running fundraisers for Breast Cancer Awareness, Cystic Fibrosis, Epilepsy Foundation, Red Cross, and Ct. State Employees’ Charities. She currently serves on several church boards and teaches Pickleball to Veterans. She is also a busy Justice of the Peace. “I love being involved with the Haddam Community,” she admits.
Marge DeBold (Democrat)
Many of you know me as a former teacher, as a Selectman, as a volunteer with various groups, as a neighbor or as a community member you see around town. I am pleased to be running for the zoning board of appeals in November.
Haddam has been my home for more than fifty years. My husband and I moved here in 1964. After growing up on the east coast and then in California, I was happy to settle down in this beautiful area and become part of the local community. For over twenty years, I taught school at Haddam Elementary School and Burr. During that time, and after I retired from teaching, I appreciated the opportunity to take part in several town activities. I was able to serve stints on the planning and zoning commission, the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Finance and the Zoning Board of Appeals. From 1993 to 1997, I was pleased to serve as the town’s First Selectman. Currently I serve on the Committee on Aging and help the registrars of voters with their work. I have also enjoyed being part of several groups and organizations that add so much to our quality of life. Because I love the town and my life here, I hope to continue my involvement and to grow with the town.
I have chosen to run again for the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) because I see the need to keep that board strong. When acting as a board member it is important to have a good understanding of the town’s zoning regulations and of its Plan of Conservation and Development. It is also important to realize that ZBA, like other local boards and commissions, should be looking out for the health, safety and wellbeing of all of the town’s residents. I care very strongly about the town and everyone who lives here and I will, if elected, try to be an active and positive part of the ZBA. As I seek office, I try to think about the importance of that board.
The ZBA has a unique role in the town’s government. As its name implies, the work of ZBA is tied in with considering requests for departures from zoning regulations. Zoning helps to keep compatible uses together, like keeping residential activities together and separating them from industrial and commercial uses, except in certain areas designed for combined uses. If there is a request to differ from the allowed activity in a particular area there might well be concern by ZBA.
Our zoning regulations tend to make new building activities in an area follow the same rules. Sometimes an application for activity, regulated by our zoning rules, indicates the need to deviate from the zoning code. Let me share an imagined situation. Properties in residential areas have certain regulations in common. Occasionally a resident wants to be allowed to do something that is not permitted in the zone involved. The property owner can request a variance of the regulations, perhaps feeling that following the town regulations would result in a hardship due to a unique condition. Such a situation might well be considered by the ZBA.
It seems to me that each application to ZBA is unique. If I get to serve on ZBA, I would see my role as working with other board members to understand the request of an applicant and to examine fairly that request in terms of our zoning regulations. Further, it would be imperative to consider any exceptional difficulties that would result if the regulations were to be followed and/or any unusual hardship that might occur because of the required activity. Working together the board would make its decision on any request.
As I anticipate running for public office, I recognize that I have a great affection for the town. I have been helped by so many individuals recently, as well as in the past. I care strongly for the greenness we have all around us in our town with the river running through it. I value the fact that so many members of the community volunteer to make the town such a good place to live. I care for the compatibility of the town’s residents, for the emphasis on preserving our history, for the way our small town runs, and for the friends I have made. There are still many pleasures I hope to share. That is because Haddam is home for me.
Susan DeCarli (Democrat)
My husband Dale and I are lifelong residents and my family goes back several generations. We raised our three sons here, two of which chose to live here after college.
I felt a strong sense of responsibility to run for the ZBA to give back to the community that I deeply care about.
One important issue facing Haddam is the growth in the center of town. We have many options; I would like to balance the desires of new and existing businesses with our regulations and to make sure development is within the framework of our Plan of Conservation and Development in order to preserve the small town charm that makes Haddam special.
Key things that I love about this town? First and foremost, my deep roots, my love of my family’s history here, being able to have my sons know where they come from and hoping to one day have the next generation grow up here and have the same sense of pride of being here for so many generations. I love that I live on the very same road that my grandfather was born on in 1893. To be able to walk in every old cemetery in town and be able to read and touch our ancestors stones. To walk in the center and touch the monument that carries my family’s name. To look up at the eagle on top with pride, knowing that my grandfather placed it there with his own two hands. To know that even when my grandfather was growing old and ill he would make sure every vet had a flag on their grave.
I love Clark road, it is my family road and named for them. I love the generation of friendships between the old families here and the new friendships with people that choose to move here and share their newfound love of this town.
I would like you to know that I’m an honest person and will do my absolute best always for this town. I will strive to make my ancestors, and you, proud of what we do on the zoning board of appeals!
Erik Hesselberg (Democrat)
I’ve been a reporter and newspaper editor for 30 years, beginning as a stringer for an English language newspaper in Italy, where I lived for 10 years. I was an environmental reporter for the Middletown Press and Executive Editor of the Journal Register Company’s Shoreline Division, overseeing 20 newspaper on the Connecticut coast.
I grew up in Haddam, attending Haddam-Killingworth High School, where I played football and basketball, and am proud to have my son Tristan attending the same school and playing football as well.
In the Haddam I knew, people disagreed, sometimes strongly, but they shook hands afterwards, said hello to each other at the dump, and maybe even shared a beer at the Hutch. I don’t see much of that anymore, and that’s too bad, but I hope to bring back some of that spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship I remember to politics for the good of the town.
My work as a community journalist has taught me not only a lot about how small towns work, but also has given me a deep appreciation for the many dedicated citizens who give of themselves to make their communities better. It’s also made me hopeful—getting out and talking to people gives one a certain faith in the human spirit and its potential. Haddam is blessed with a beautiful setting along New England’s great waterway, as well as miles and miles of great hiking trails offering some of the most scenic vistas anywhere. But in the end, townspeople are our greatest asset. I look forward to meeting more of you and working for a better Haddam.
Joe Laurenza (Republican)
Joe Laurenza and his wife Wendy have lived in Haddam for over 40 years. They are the parents of Jamin (Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission) and Jody, and they have four grandchildren.
Joe has served on several town committees including the Inland Wetlands Commission, the Planning & Zoning Commission, the HK Pool Committee working on pool renovations, and the HK Booster Club. He was also President of the Middlesex County 4H Tractor Pullers.
Joe retired from SNET and AT&T after 30 years as a Lineman and Outside Plant Technician. He is a founding member of the Haddam Civic League which produces the daily website Haddam-KillingworthNow.com and the free local newspaper Haddam Killingworth News.
Ken Wendt (Republican)
Ken has resided in Higganum for the past 37 years since graduating from UConn with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He is currently self-employed in Color-control Instrument Sales and has a background in Product Management and Quality Measurement Technology.
Ken bought his home in 1982 because of its historic character and the quiet, rural Higganum community. His wife, Catherine, is a teacher at the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School, and his three children have all graduated from HK High School. Ken serves as Treasurer at Higganum Congregational Church.
Ken seeks to maintain his position on the Zoning Board of Appeals to preserve the attractive character of our rural community, while realizing the need for appropriate development to strengthen our tax base. It would be his privilege to serve the Town of Haddam on the Zoning Board of Appeals for another term following his participation as a member for the past 10 years.
Rachel Greenholt (Democrat) Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate
I have been a resident of Haddam for over 20 years. From its small-town charm to its strong sense of community, there are so many reasons to love our town. One aspect of Haddam my husband, Garin, and I love so much is the abundance of nature and wildlife. As avid hikers, we have enjoyed exploring countless trails in the area. Swan Hill is arguably one of our favorite places to be immersed in nature, and provides some of the greatest views of our town.
There is no place that truly compares to Haddam, especially when starting a family. I consider myself very fortunate to have been raised in a community with caring and friendly residents, and exceptional schools. Some of my favorite memories as a child in Haddam involve attending the annual Memorial Day Parade. Still, to this day, I am proud to see so many people in our community come together on such an important day. The ceremony is always heartwarming and humbling, and with delicious New England clam chowder to enjoy while touring the Haddam Veteran’s Museum afterwards. Overall, my husband and I could not be more excited to search for our first home in this community.
My primary focus as your future zoning board of appeals alternate is to maintain the integrity of our small, close-knit community. As a busy young professional beginning a career in the field of social work, I am extremely appreciative of this small opportunity and look forward to giving back to my town.
Tony Matterazzo (Republican) Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate
Tony is seeking re-election to the Zoning Board of Appeals as an Alternate. He and his wife have been Haddam residents for almost 40 years. He has been involved as Commissioner, Coach, and Equipment Manager for the Haddam Youth Football and Baseball Organizations.
Tony was employed as a Logistics and Materials Manager for over 25 years at a chemical company as well as working for another 6 years as Organizer and Business Manager at a Massachusetts corporation.
