Board of Selectman- Melissa Bird, Jack Bourque, Linda Groppo, Candy Perez, and Steven Sedlack; Board of Education - Cheryl Heffernan, Michelle Hintz, and Alexandria Propfe: Town Clerk Sheila Sedlack; and Constables James Barber and Aubrey English. You can find their biographies under the tabs for each position.
DEMOCRATS 2017-2019
The Winchester Democratic Candidates believe Winsted has made progress towards a better future. As has been demonstrated over the past two years, this is a community effort. All segments of our community have come together to build a strong foundation on which to move forward. From our establishment of a no tax increase budget in 2017 to a strong healthy fund balance, development of stronger government policies, to small working groups of volunteers, to individual community members, all have contributed to a stronger town government. Investors and businesses have come forward to develop two more old mills buildings, new restaurants, and robotics.
Let’s Keep Going …
During the last 2 years and Over the Next Two Years
- Directed the Town Manager to begin enforcing blight – 57 properties to date
- Collaborated with the Town Manger to drive business friendly customer service to build development in the old mill building, robotics in the industrial park, three restaurants on Main St., sale of industrial park lot.
- Worked with the Republicans on the BOS including them on every committee in an equal partnership for the best interest of the community
- No Drama, Just Results - Oversaw professional meetings with “no fighting”
- Established a collaborative working relationship with the State Receiver and then with the Superintendent after the transition
- Supported staff’s work on updating liabilities and assets statements
- Worked with the Town Manager on establishing budgets that saw the town’s “rainy day” fund balance grow to put us in position for a bond rating
- The State of Connecticut released the Town of Winchester from state oversight January 2019
- Partnered with CTVist.com to promote Winsted tourism events
- Work with the LHCGO to contact legislators in Hartford to bring issues forward
Help us to continue in these positive directions and keep the community on a steady course. Participate on a board or commission or simply volunteer!
#Believing in Winsted
The Winchester Democratic Candidates believe Winsted has made progress towards a better future. As has been demonstrated over the past two years, this is a community effort. All segments of our community have come together to build a strong foundation on which to move forward. From our establishment of a no tax increase budget in 2017 to a strong healthy fund balance, development of stronger government policies, to small working groups of volunteers, to individual community members, all have contributed to a stronger town government. Investors and businesses have come forward to develop two more old mills buildings, new restaurants, and robotics.
Let’s Keep Going …
During the last 2 years and Over the Next Two Years
- Delivered a No-Tax increase budget.
- We pledge a similar no-tax increase for next year’s budget.
- Begun a comprehensive road improvement program, implemented a blight elimination program, and advanced commercial and industrial development. https://www.townofwinchester.org/public-works/pages/road-bridge-and-trail-improvements
- Directed the Town Manager to begin enforcing blight – 57 properties to date
- Collaborated with the Town Manger to drive business friendly customer service to build development in the old mill building, robotics in the industrial park, three restaurants on Main St., sale of industrial park lot.
- We pledge to continue these programs to ensure they benefit all taxpayers in all areas of our town including clean industrial, Main St. business, and tourism.
- Brought direction, new pride, and positive belief to the town’s future.
- Worked with the Republicans on the BOS including them on every committee in an equal partnership for the best interest of the community
- No Drama, Just Results - Oversaw professional meetings with “no fighting”
- We pledge to enhance this attitude by supporting continued commercial development within the downtown area and industrial development through appropriate areas in town with the aim of expanding the town’s Grand List.
- Stabilized the professional leadership of our town’s government under a business-career oriented town manager, Robert Geiger.
- We pledge to continue supporting the Town Manager and the hiring of top qualified individuals to bring more professional and business savvy leadership to all departments.
- Established a unified collaborative direction for town-wide education.
- Established a collaborative working relationship with the State Receiver and then with the Superintendent after the transition
- We pledge to support the continued cooperative sharing of responsibilities between the town and the education department in order to provide tax savings and ensure transparency in budget decisions.
- Secured our town’s financial stability with improved budget controls, comprehensive audits, and firmness within the finance department.
- Supported staff’s work on updating liabilities and assets statements
- Worked with the Town Manager on establishing budgets that saw the town’s “rainy day” fund balance grow to put us in position for a bond rating
- The State of Connecticut released the Town of Winchester from state oversight January 2019
- We pledge to continue to support the department’s leadership and implementation of a more professional and tax-payer friendly electronic budget system and presentation.
- We pledge to continue supporting the Planning and Zoning Commission’s updating of regulations to attract more commercial and industrial development and improvements, and updates to the town’s Plan of Conversation and Development.
- Expanded town-wide development opportunities by supporting entrepreneurial development in commercial and industrial areas.
- We pledge to seek additional development through cooperation with the town’s Economic Development Commission by advancing new initiatives that will bring more growth throughout town including clean industrial, Main St. business, and tourism.
- Revising the town’s social media presence for more user-friendly information access.
- Partnered with CTVist.com to promote Winsted tourism events
- We pledge to continue to seek ways to improve our town’s website and marketing to attract a wider and more involved community interest and citizen interaction.
- Worked closely with our state’s leadership to protect our taxpayers from unexpected adverse financial issues.
- Work with the LHCGO to contact legislators in Hartford to bring issues forward
- We pledge to strengthen our position and support action that will ensure that any future financial losses from the state or federal government support for the town will not harm our ability to maintain a financially healthy town.
Help us to continue in these positive directions and keep the community on a steady course. Participate on a board or commission or simply volunteer!
#Believing in Winsted
Interested in joining the Democratic Town Committee?
Please call us at 860-309-3972.
Please call us at 860-309-3972.
