Patch Candidate Profile: Kaitlyn Kimball For Naugatuck Board Of Mayor And Burgesses

NAUGATUCK, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:

Kaitlyn Kimball

What office are you seeking?

Burgess

What town do you live in?

Naugatuck

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:

Democrat

Occupation:

Farmer, Teacher, Non profit Director

Family:

My husband Lawrence Passeck and I have been married for five years. We have two children,
Spencer (4) and Harper (3).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

This is my first time running for public office.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am the youngest candidate running for Burgess so that I can bring a voice to the next generation
of Naugatuck. I believe that local government should reflect the people it serves and I believe we
need more young people involved in decisions about our town. I am committed to serving all
residents, regardless of party, to make them feel represented and heard in the town’s plans.
Naugatuck is my future and I would be honored to play a part in its development.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:

The single most pressing issue in Naugatuck is economic development, specifically tax relief,
creation of industry, as well as revitalizing key infrastructure. The plan is to decrease taxes in
Naugatuck, by growing the grand list and decreasing the mill rate. Remediating our industrial
parks and developing our downtown district makes Naugatuck more attractive for both small
businesses and larger industries to invest and grow here. Improving our roadways and creating a
vibrant downtown district make Naugatuck a more attractive place to live, which will again grow
the grand list, and bring tax relief. I intend to build on this work of revitalizing our town and
attracting more business, in the hopes of decreasing the tax burden, but also creating a vibrant
local economy.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am the youngest candidate in this year’s Burgess race, hoping to give a voice to the next
generation of Naugatuck. As a mother to two small children that will grow up in the Borough, I
want to ensure we have smart growth for the future, building a community that they and others
will thrive in. I was a teacher in our school system. I am also a small business owner in town,
founding Sunset Farm, in 2019 with my husband. Managing the demands of teaching and
owning a small business have equipped me with resilience and financial acumen. I am a person
of action and am committed to acting in the best interest of our town.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My campaign is very focused on supporting our small businesses in town. Naugatuck is known
for its sense of community, and that extends to our small businesses. I would like to educate
members of our community on the benefits to purchasing local items and promote more
businesses in town. I am doing a campaign event at a local business in town every week until the
election to hopefully bring in additional customers to our Church Street businesses, and give
anyone the opportunity to speak with me one on one about my goals and priorities. Our town is
poised for a lot of growth and we want to uplift small businesses here with that progress.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Farming and teaching are challenging jobs to hold, and I have persisted through both careers. I
hold a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Quinnipiac University and served as a
teacher leader during my 12 years in education. My husband and I started our business from
scratch, having now grown to two locations and employing twelve people. My work in the non
profit sector has also prepared for me a leadership role in our town government. I have authored
or coauthored more than 25 state and federal grants, securing more than $600,000 in funding
over the last several years. I also engage in policy work related to agriculture and food access at
the state and federal level. I was appointed to Senator Murphy’s Land Conservation Council this
year and I regularly visit our state capitol to testify during the legislative session. I have existing
relationships with Representative Jensen, Senator Cabrera, and Congresswoman DeLauro that I will utilize to benefit Naugatuck.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Listen to understand, not just to respond. As Burgess, it will be my job to take the needs and
concerns of Naugatuck residents to the Board of Burgesses and Mayor. In order to be effective at
this position, a Burgess should be unbiased and able to clearly understand the experiences of
others. I am focused on the people of Naugatuck, not the party. As an elected official, I will not
get to pick and choose who I represent or their interests. I am committed to understanding your
experience as a resident in this town and starting a conversation on how we can improve it
together.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

It would be an honor to be elected Burgess and represent my community. My service to and
involvement with our town will continue regardless of the election results, but being elected
Burgess would allow me to have a greater impact on Naugatuck’s future.