Southbury Election Costs Newtown Its Health Director

By Steve Bigham

Newtown Health Director Mark Cooper was elected first selectman in Southbury Tuesday, defeating Carol Hubert by nearly 1,000 votes. The lifelong Southbury resident takes over his new seat December 3.

Mr Cooper, a Republican, has been a member of the Southbury Board of Selectmen for the past six years and was the favorite to win the town’s top seat vacated by outgoing first selectman Alfio Candido, who served for six years.

“We’re moving into the transition mode and will begin setting up our administration, which will take effect on the first Monday in December,” Mr Cooper said Wednesday.

Mr Cooper, 46, was expected to hand in his resignation this week, bringing to an end a 16-year career in Newtown. He spent the last nine years as director of the Newtown health district. The town is expected to begin an immediate search for a new health director. The health district board is responsible for advertising and hiring a new director of health.

 Dr Thomas Draper, who serves as health advisor to the district, is also associate director of health, Mr Cooper said, noting that Dr Draper is currently familiarizing himself with what is currently going on in the department.

“He is well qualified to run the public health office’s day-to-day activities,” Mr Cooper said, adding that Dr Draper could take over if there is a break in coverage between when he leaves and when a new director is named.

Mr Cooper’s salary as health director was approximately $63,000. It will jump to $73,000 as Southbury’s first selectman.

Mr Cooper has been involved in politics in Southbury for 22 years, following in the footsteps of other family members who have a long tradition of community involvement. He still lives on the family farm where he grew up.

“I’ve always felt being first selectman in Southbury was in the cards. I did always think it was when I’d be a little bit older,” he admitted.

Mr Cooper believes Southbury is a critical juncture in its long history. A major issue is whether the town should begin borrowing money for open space purchases. Southbury has had a long practice of putting money in reserve accounts for large ticket item purchases.

“We need to look at that to see if we want to cross that bridge. We need to be rather careful in changing that system of financing big items,” Mr Cooper said.

Southbury residents recently approved the $8.2 million purchase of some 700 acres of open space land. Some of cost will be picked up by the state, but the rest will be the responsibility of the taxpayers. Bonding may be a necessity.

Mr Cooper said his experience in town government will pay off immensely as a first selectman.

“My career in public health gives me lots of on-the-job experience. I’ve held just about every local land use position you can think of,” he said.

Mr Cooper is married to Terri and has three sons, Michael, a college senior, Brandon, a third grader, and Justin, who is going into kindergarten next year.