Wethersfield DTC Introduces New Town Council Candidates
WETHERSFIELD - The Wethersfield Democratic slate is going forward with some new faces this November, with councilors Jeff Kotkin and Gerri Roberts opting not to seek re-election.

       The town’s Democratic Committee introduced the candidates--Council newcomers Anthony Spinella, Amy Morrin-Bello and Frank Dellaripa, along with Mayor Paul Montinieri, Deputy Mayor Steve Barry and incumbent Councilor Tony Martino--at its caucus last Wednesday night at Town Hall.

       The party’s endorsements were split between newcomers and incumbents, with residents Bobbie Granato and Kevin Hill entering the fold for the first time and current Board members Polly Moon and John Morris seeking reelection.

       â€"We have a great slate-a winning slate,” said Ken Lesser of the Democratic Town Committee. â€"A perfect blend of fresh, new, talented folks, with experienced veterans.”

       The candidates, most of whom are life-long residents, pointed to their Wethersfield roots and a desire to â€"give back” as the primary motivation for deciding to run.

       Hill, a Wethersfield High School graduate, has two kids who will soon be attending Hamner Elementary School.

       â€"I grew up here,” Hill said. â€"The town afforded me a lot of opportunities. What better way to serve our town than to give them and all other students the opportunities I had?”

       A retired teacher, Granato has been through the Wethersfield school system as both a student and an educator. She just wrapped up a 40-year teaching career.

       â€"I didn’t know how to say goodbye, really,” she said. â€"Then I got that call [asking her to run]. I have a passion for education and for instilling in kids a passion for learning. We’re in another phase where we’re so test-oriented. We don’t want to take that out of a child.”

       Spinella, a University of Connecticut School of Law graduate who has worked as a legislative intern and prosecutor, pointed to the public service aspects of his professions as motivation to run.

       â€"That’s why I’m here today,” Spinella said. â€"Because I want to help people in Wethersfield who are too busy at work to get involved in this.”

       He thanked Kotkin and Roberts, who are ending 10 and 20-year public service tenures, respectively. Roberts started in 1994 on the Town Council, before moving to the Board of Education in 2000. She won a Council seat again in 2007 and has been there since.

       â€"I think we’re both going to miss this quite a lot,” Kotkin said. â€"We have some great new blood coming in. It’s all about them going forward.”

       Mayor Paul Montinieri also had appreciative words for both of them.

       â€"I can’t say enough about [Roberts],” Montinieri said. â€"What she’s done for me. Same about Jeff.”

       Looking ahead, the goal will be to continue to seek progress in key areas such as economic development in order to grow the town’s Grand List and bring in revenue that eases the tax burden on residents, Montinieri said. On that same note, candidates are also emphasizing the importance of collaboration with the Board of Education.

       They pointed to this year’s budget compromise between the two bodies, as well as a new initiative to share services in a consolidated data processing department.
MORE WETHERSFIELD NEWS  |  STORY BY MARK DIPAOLA  |  Jul 31 2015  |  COMMENTS?