Name: Joseph Hemingway (D)

Address: 10 Overlook Knoll

Age: 41

Occupation: Project Manager for Worth Construction Company in Bethel

Education: An applied science associates degree in building construction technology from Wentworth Institute.

Political Experience: Current president of the PTA Council; Board of Directors for Connecticut PTA; two year president of Shady Rest Association; Board of Directors for Shady Rest Association.

Years in Newtown: 10

What is the best plan of development for the re-use of Fairfield Hills? I like Becker and Becker as far as their attempts to address the needs of the town, but I’m not sure that it is the most financially sound option, because we don’t have all the answers. If the town decides to buy, we need to know the price of purchase and have a firm plan in place for what we intend to do with the property. 

How do you feel about giving tax breaks to special groups: senior citizens volunteer emergency personnel and new businesses? Seniors should get a need-based tax break. I would be very interested in emergency volunteers getting tax breaks; we have to keep them in town because they save that town a ton of money. As far as business, it would depend on the business. If it is a large business that might affect the tax base then I would consider it.

 What are Newtown’s 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)? 5/6 school, municipal office space, and police and fire needs. I think that you have to prioritize, and I would say the primary concern is the 5/6 school because of enrollment issues. They are reaching state recommended limits, and these enrollment numbers will start affecting schools, everyone’s property values and town tax rates.

What skills do you have for the job that will most benefit the Town of Newtown?

As a project manager I spend a lot of time preparing budgets and administering contracts. I’ve built four schools and a prison, and some other large projects that were the size of Newtown’s budget. Also, I’ve spent the past 6 to 7 years involved in the process of school budget preparation.

 Is there one aspect of Newtown’s government you would like to see changed?

There are two things I’d like to see changed. One, I think we have to have a charter revision to bring back advisory questions. Second is that Legislative Council meetings should have public participation at the end rather than at the beginning, so people can take issue with items already discussed by the council.

Why do you feel that you should be elected?

Because I think I can help the town. It’s good to get some new blood on the Legislative Council, and I think that the education portion of the budget needs to get a little more support than it has in the past years.