By Gigi Simko, Chair, Haddam Republican Town Committee
(June 27, 2024) — Are you interested in serving our community? Do you want to effect change in our town? The Haddam Republican Town Committee is seeking residents who are willing to run for town office in 2025 – yes, next year. These elected positions include the Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk, Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of Education, Board of Finance, Planning and Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. A quick summary of their roles and responsibilities follows.
The Board of Selectmen is the chief executive branch of local government. They call town meetings, propose budgets to the town meetings, set public policy, call elections, issue licenses, set certain fees, oversee certain volunteer and appointed bodies and create basic regulations. The First Selectman implements the policies of the board and manages the town’s daily activity. Furthermore, the First Selectman is responsible for providing oversight to all aspects of town operations, acts as supervisor to town employees and interacts with all town departments.
The Town Clerk’s office is generally the first stop for a new resident. The office records deeds, vital statistics, voting records, town meetings, dog licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, transfer station permits, commission records, survey maps, record and book maintenance, terms of elected officials, Town Charter and Ordinances, resignation and appointment of elected officials. They help with genealogy work, certify petitions and prepare elections and referendum.
The Board of Assessment Appeals hears and acts on the assessment appeals as submitted by taxpayers.
The Board of Education oversees school district educational programs. Board members are elected by district citizens to represent them in setting policies and hiring staff members to carry out district policies and objectives. Haddam falls under Regional School District 17, with Killingworth.
The Board of Finance reviews and approves the annual budget, including the capital budget; manages and monitors the current budget; and performs long range capital planning. It is also responsible for appointing an audit firm to audit the Town’s financial statements and for preparing the Annual Report.
The Planning and Zoning Commission seeks to attract responsible economic growth that is in harmony with Haddam’s historic character and landscape. It does so by reviewing and approving zoning applications; updating the Town’s zoning regulations; implementing the Plan of Conservation of Development (POCD); overseeing the Architectural Review Board; and reviewing housing developments.
Finally, the Zoning Board of Appeals’ foremost responsibility is to review requests for variances from zoning regulations.
If you are not quite ready to run for office, there are a number of appointed volunteer positions on committees and commissions for which people are needed to serve. These include the Architectural Review Committee, Capital Planning Committee, Charter Revision Commission, Committee on Aging, Conservation Commission, Economic Development Commission, Higganum Cove Committee, Inland Wetlands Commission, Park and Recreation Commission, Sustainability Committee and Safety Committee. Serving on one of these groups can provide valuable experience before deciding to run for an elected office.
Some of these boards, committees and commissions require a time commitment of one hour every few months, while others meet a couple of times a week. If you are remotely interested in getting more involved in our town, please reach out to any of the individuals listed below. There is no commitment in simply seeking information. We hope to hear from you!
Pablo Arroyo: pablo.arroyo@comcast.net
Bill Bowles: wrbowlesesq@gmail.com
Dan Luisi: danscustoms@comcast.net
Mark Lundgren: mplundgren@gmail.com
Larry Maggi: larry.fireworks@comcast.ne
Ed Munster: e.munster@comcast.net
Gigi Simko: gssimko@yahoo.com
Kenneth Vallera: kvv1377@gmail.com
