Name: Pierre Rochman (R)
Name: Pierre Rochman (R)
Address: 82 Taunton Hill Road
Age: 58
Occupation: Self-employed. I own two businesses and a shopping center.
Education: Eight years of college, most in engineering.
Political Experience: Current chairman and 10-year incumbent of Legislative Council.
Years in Newtown: 29
What is the best plan of development for the re-use of Fairfield Hills? I am beginning to lean more and more toward the town purchasing it and coming up with plan of its own because two of the plans do not address the townâs needs, and the one plan that does, I fear will never come to fruition due to financial considerations.
How do you feel about giving tax breaks to special groups: senior citizens, volunteer emergency personnel and new businesses? I would like to help seniors stay in town. However, if it is just cosmetics, it wonât do the job. I would like to see a temporary freeze on seniorsâ taxes and re-coup those taxes when the home is sold. As far as volunteers, we should give them all the help we can. When it comes to new businesses, I donât like the idea of using tax credits to bring them in.
What are Newtownâs three most pressing capital needs? How do we plan for them given the nearly $60 million worth of projects currently on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)? A 5/6 school, Town Hall South and Edmond Town Hall. We canât plan until we know whether or not weâre going to buy Fairfield Hills or if the developers can do things for us.
What skills do you have for the job that will most benefit the town of Newtown? I have a strong business background. People need to understand that there are needs and then there is available funding. A businessman knows you have to balance the two.
Why do you feel you should be reelected? I think I bring an awful lot of experience to the Legislative Council, and I think I have been responsive to the needs of the town.
Is there one aspect of Newtownâs government you would like to see changed?
I would like to see the Board of Selectmen eliminated and make a stronger selectman or mayor. Get rid of the town meeting and go directly to a referendum.