To the Editor:

I am seeking to be Newtown’s next First Selectman. I am a 26-year resident of Newtown. My wife, Tanya and I raised our son, Bradley, and daughter, Greta here. Both graduated from Newtown public schools, college and have begun bright careers of their own.

I have been honored to serve my fellow Newtowners for almost 20 years. From my career and volunteer service to Newtown, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the office. Professionally I am an engineer and business analyst. As such I have spent a career working on teams and collaborating with customers and stakeholders to solve problems. I work for a large multinational company. As such, I do business with people from around the world. I problem solve by seeking consensus whenever possible and leading when necessary. These skills have made me successful professionally and will seamlessly apply to my role as First Selectman.

Currently, I serve as chair of the Legislative Council. While this is my first term on the LC since 2013, I have served a total of ten years, six of which I have been elected chairman. During my tenure, I have worked to deliver reasonable annual budgets funding both municipal services and excellence in education. I have collaborated with four different first selectmen and the leaders of other boards and commissions in Town to manage and prioritize capital expenditures. Under my tenure, Newtown has flourished without overly burdening we the taxpayers.

Between terms on the Legislative Council, I served two terms of Dan Rosenthal’s administration on the Board of Selectmen. Working with Dan and Maureen we delivered bipartisan successes including keeping taxation flat, rebuilding road infrastructure, and reducing debt by paying road maintenance and certain capital expenses with the operational budget rather than through bonding.

I was appointed to two charter revision commissions and elected to chair both. The result of one of those commissions was the bifurcation of the annual budget and the addition of advisory questions. With these changes, voters now vote for the municipal and education budgets separately as well as inform the LC of the reasons, should they reject either side of the budget, for doing so. Since this change, no budget has failed at the first referendum.

My hobbies are diverse; I love to bake artisan sourdough bread. I love the outdoors; I am an avid hiker, cyclist and marathon runner. Newtown is a beautiful place to enjoy cycling or recreational runs especially through the Fairfield Hills campus and along our scenic back roads and neighborhoods.

My background is a testament to my resilience, dedication, and my abilities. Should I be elected your next First Selectman, I will lead with vision and purpose. As Newtown’s next First Selectman, I will further our Town’s development by broadening our tax base and being a welcoming face to new development plans consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development and continue our tradition of keeping it “Nicer in Newtown.” Thank you for your vote on November 7th.

Best Regards,

Jeff Capeci

Newtown