Name: Doug Brennan (R)
Name: Doug Brennan (R)
Address: Antler Pine Road
Age: 44
Occupation: Vice president and general counsel for Mintax International Group, located in New Jersey.
Education: BS in civil engineering; BA in business and economics; JD.
Political Experience: Newcomer to politics.
Years In Town: 14
What is the best plan of development for the re-use of Fairfield Hills? Iâm in favor of the town purchasing the property, based upon some assumption regarding the price. If the property is developed, it will only exacerbate the demands on our resources and increase our tax rates and decrease, over the long term, our property values. I donât believe it is in the townâs best interest to have the pace of development controlled by a developer.
How do you feel about giving tax breaks to special groups: senior citizens, volunteer emergency personnel and new businesses? For senior citizens, there needs to be a demonstrated need for a tax break; if the financial burden isnât that great, I would be in favor of it. Iâm not in favor of providing tax breaks for volunteer emergency services. I donât think singling out volunteer emergency services is fair since all volunteer groups in town do a tremendous job. Newtown is going to have to give and provide business incentives to attract businesses to Newtown, but for businesses that fit in with the town.
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)?
Education, open space and town roads. Weâve got to go beyond thinking that every time we add 500 children, we have to add another school. Second, we have got to take a hard look at how we allocate resources to reduce the rate of development. Third, Newtown has the worst roads networks for a town its size. We have got to seriously look at how we go ahead and improve that infrastructure.
What skills do you have for the job that will most benefit the town of Newtown?
Newtown is undergoing an unprecedented level of development, and I have extensive experience in the development of regions, towns and businesses throughout the world. I think having a varied disciplinary background in both engineering and law gives me the ability to provide the leadership that Newtown needs.
Is there one aspect of Newtownâs government you would like to see changed?
Unfortunately we donât have a strong consensus of what Newtowners want Newtown to be. And so what we end up having are a series of special interest people who are all supporting their agendas. We end up not being able to make the hard choices when we have limited resources.
Why do you feel that you should be elected?
I think I have done a lot of volunteer work in the town, and I have strong commitment in the things that I have gotten involved in, whether they are personal, professional or on a volunteer basis. It is that same kind of dedication, thoroughness and insight that I would bring to my duties on the Legislative Council.