CT Patch Candidate Profile: Veronica Monahan For Town Plan & Zoning Commission (4-Year Term)

FAIRFIELD, CT — The 2025 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Connecticut Patch asked local candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Candidate's Name:
Veronica Monahan

What office are you seeking?
Town Planning and Zoning, 4 Yr Term

What town do you live in?
Fairfield

Campaign Website
https://www.fairfieldrtc.com/2025-tpz-candidates

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Occupation:
I am a residential real estate salesperson and advisor across Fairfield County, and have been selling homes, condos and land here or more than 20 years. I currently rank among the top 100 salespersons in CT in annual sales volume.

Family:
My husband of 29 years, Matthew, and I have three grown daughters: Madelyn, Caroline and Kelley.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I proudly served as a member of the RTM from November 2019 to January 2022.

Why are you seeking this office?
The main concern is Fairfield’s rapid development, which threatens the town’s unique character. If elected, I would be committed to managing growth responsibly, so our community remains welcoming to all residents, including seniors, people with disabilities, young adults, and new families. Growth should support everyone while preserving the charm that defines Fairfield, rather than turning it into a big city that we no longer recognize.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Zoning stands out as the most significant issue facing our community today, which is the primary reason I am seeking office. While our town is always evolving, not all recent changes are welcomed by the people I hear from and talk to everyday, especially by those who have called Fairfield home for decades and new families trying to secure homes here.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Having lived in Fairfield for over 25 years and played an active role in past local governments, I bring a wealth of experience and perspective to the position. My two decades of service to buyers and sellers in the area have enabled me to listen to the concerns of residents of all ages and all demographics. I have a strong sense of what our community wants enforced, and their needs from elected zoning representatives - regardless of party lines. I do not subscribe to group think and am committed to independent, thoughtful decision-making.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
We need full and complete transparency in all areas of our town government. This means leaving the full amount of time allowable for public hearings to include all members of community in decisions big and small. Applications cannot or should not ever be rushed - for any reason - and residents should feel that their perspectives matter. We also need to continue to promote and invite public opinion in a timely manner.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
My ongoing career (over 20 years, full time) in real estate has provided me with the opportunity to connect with a wide range of residents and I understand their needs and perspectives in the area of zoning and zoning compliance. I also believe in local control of our zoning, and not state mandates. During my time served on the RTM, I learned how our town government really works. I also know the differences in zoning and what is allowed from one area to the next, and one parcel to the next. I know ever road, every waterway, every development, every wetland area, every bridge, and have followed the past quarter century of out town’s transformation from a sleepier town to what we have today.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.” Mark Twain said that and someone close to me once stated it to me and I’ll never forget it. Personally, I don’t want to look back in ten years and say why didn’t I get involved in town zoning sooner. I’m not thrilled with the direction in which we are headed as a town.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Zoning in the town of Fairfield should not be political. This isn’t national politics. We need to hear as many voices and as much information as possible, from smart people before major decisions are made to ensure the best possible outcome in our zoning decisions. Transparency and an open dialogue about all things local are paramount to good decision making.