Over 700 government and business leaders from across Connecticut and beyond, including Newtown, came together in person for the first time in two years on November 30 and December 1 for the 2021 Convention and Exposition of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), the statewide association of towns and cities.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, who attended the convention, told The Bee on December 1 that “attitudes were positive across the state” about Connecticut’s economy and the handling of COVID. Rosenthal listened to David Lehman, the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic Development, who said that while jobs are increasing, the state is not back to pre-pandemic levels. The worker shortage is “starting to thaw.”

“I think the tenor of attitudes is positive,” said Rosenthal.

The short-term financial outlook for the state is good, said Rosenthal, and the “Rainy Day Fund is the largest it has ever been.” The state is still trying to pay down its pension debt, which is “the elephant in the room.”

“But it’s not as dire as you’d imagine,” Rosenthal said.

Rosenthal also attended a presentation by Governor Ned Lamont on COVID. Lamont is not currently considering new mandates though he believes there is cause for concern. Lamont’s continued messaging has been to push people to social distance, wear masks, and get vaccinated, as well as getting vaccination boosters, said Rosenthal.

Rosenthal said the state has 2.4 million vaccinated people, and the breakthrough rate of infections on the vaccinated is roughly 1%. The cumulative number of cases of infection of vaccinated in the state since vaccines were first administered is 25,000.

Nearly 130 towns and cities were represented at the conference.

Conference Highlights

Some highlights from the convention include 15 workshops during the day, Tuesday, November 30 on a wide range of cutting issues being faced by town and city governments in 2021 (see below for complete descriptions and times). There were more than 120 exhibitors on November 30 from over 30 industries in the convention’s 2021 Trade Show.

Day one was highlighted by scheduled remarks from Governor Ned Lamont and the presentation of CCM’s annual Municipal Excellence Awards for town governments. This awards program recognizes innovative projects and individuals that have significantly improved the quality of life for citizens, built community support, and established partnerships.

The lunch included Sustainable CT Certification Awards for member communities; the graduation ceremony for CCM’s Certified Connecticut Municipal Official (CCMO) Program; and remarks by Kathy Maness, president of the National League of Cities and council member in Lexington, South Carolina.

Day one of the convention concluded with the annual dinner meeting of the membership where CCM presented its State Legislative Champions of The Year Awards at the dinner; other highlights included the presentation of the Joel Cogen Lifetime Achievement Award to a municipal leader in honor of CCM’s first executive director who led CCM for over 40 years; and the presentation of the Richard C. Lee Innovators Award to a municipal leader in honor of the founder of CCM and former long-time, progressive mayor of New Haven.

The dinner meeting also included a key report from Joe DeLong, CCM Executive Director and CEO, highlighting Connecticut’s current economic position, challenges, and opportunities.

Day two of the convention was highlighted by a meeting of CCM’s Legislative Committee, where town and city leaders will elect CCM’s 2022 president, officers and board of directors, as well as continue to refine legislative proposals to bring to the 2022 General Assembly session. The Legislative Committee meeting will be followed by a regularly-scheduled meeting of the CCM Board of Directors.

In other CCM news, Luke A. Bronin, midway through his second four-year term as mayor of Hartford, has been re-elected President of CCM for 2022.

His election took place at the 2021 statewide convention of CCM on November 30 and December 1 at the Mohegan Sun Resort, and he will begin his second year-long tenure as CCM president beginning January 1.

New Board Members

Six other municipal CEOs are newly elected to the CCM Board. Thomas Dunn, mayor of Wolcott, was elevated to 1st vice president as an officer of CCM, and Laura Hoydick, mayor of Stratford, became a CCM officer as CCM’s 2nd vice president. Seventeen municipal leaders were re-elected to the CCM board. See below for complete list.

Bronin served as CCM President in 2021. He has been a leading player for CCM members in helping to push state legislative action on local revenue diversification, advance climate initiatives, and promote greater regional service sharing among towns.

“I’m grateful for the confidence of my colleagues around the state and honored to serve as president of CCM for another year,” said Mayor Bronin. “We’re at a critical moment in our recovery, and it’s critical that we continue to build a strong partnership between state and local government and ensure that our cities and towns are working hand in hand on issues that affect our local communities.”

“2022 will represent another crucial crossroads in the relationship between Connecticut local governments and its state leaders,” said Joe DeLong, CCM Executive Director and CEO. “CCM is very fortunate to have such an experienced mayor to lead our 168 member communities in 2022. He is well-respected on both sides of the political aisle at both the state and local levels and will play a key role in forging consensus on important state-local issues during the 2022 General Assembly session.

“We look forward to Mayor Bronin leading CCM as we work closely with Governor Lamont and the General Assembly to enact the key state-local legislation needed for property tax paying residents and businesses across Connecticut, as our state continues to forge a roadway to greater economic prosperity and safer public health while we continue our effective, vigilant battle against the variants of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Here is CCM’s Board of Directors for 2022: President Luke Bronin, mayor of Hartford; First Vice President Thomas Dunn, mayor of Wolcott; and Second Vice President Laura Hoydick, mayor of Stratford.

Newly-elected directors are Jason Bowsza, first selectman of East Windsor; Mary Calorio, town manager of Killingly; Fred Camillo, first selectman of Greenwich; Maureen Nicholson, first selectman of Pomfret; Caroline Simmons, mayor of Stamford; and Gerard Smith, first selectman of Beacon Falls.

Re-elected directors are Elinor Carbone, mayor of Torrington; Paula Cofrancesco, first selectman of Bethany; Justin Elicker, mayor of New Haven; John A. Elsesser, town manager of Coventry; Carl P. Fortuna, Jr, first selectman of Old Saybrook; Laura Francis, first selectman of Durham; Joseph P. Ganim, mayor of Bridgeport; Matthew Hoey, first selectman of Guilford; Matthew S. Knickerbocker, first selectman of Bethel; Rudolph P. Marconi, first selectman of Ridgefield; W. Kurt Miller, chief fiscal officer, Ansonia; Edmond V. Mone, first selectman of Thomaston; Michael Passero, mayor of New London; Brandon Robertson, town manager of Avon; John L. Salomone, city manager, Norwich; Erin E. Stewart, mayor of New Britain; and Mark B. Walter, town administrator of Columbia.

Past presidents (who continue to serve on the board) are Michael Freda, first selectman of North Haven; Neil O’Leary, mayor of Waterbury; and Herbert C. Rosenthal, former first selectman of Newtown.

Reporter Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.