From Maintenance to Momentum

Orange is a very special community. Families move here for our excellent schools, beautiful open spaces, and that rare small-town spirit that’s becoming harder to find. My wife Sarah and I are raising our two children here for the same reason. But loving this town means taking responsibility for its future.

Over the next two years, Orange will face the same financial pressures affecting your own household budget. Already, more than one in five households in town are struggling to pay their bills. Our leaders have a responsibility to navigate this uncertain economy without cutting the essential services we all depend on.

At the same time, the political polarization dividing so many communities has started
to creep into ours. These forces can pull us apart, or they can remind us why respect and inclusion matter. Our leaders set the tone in how they listen, respond, and bring people together.

That’s why I’m running for first selectman. Not to make a name for myself or change everything about Orange, but to protect what we love about living here and make sure we keep improving it.

As an executive leader, I’ve managed budgets as large as $100 million and led complex teams to turn good ideas into real results, even in difficult times. During the pandemic, I raised and distributed over $1 million in emergency relief for local organizations and businesses, coordinating hundreds of donors and partners to get help where it was needed most. That same hands-on, transparent, problem-solving approach is what I’ll bring to Town Hall.

The next two years are our chance to move from maintenance to momentum – to protect what works and fix what’s been stalled for too long. Orange can stay the town we all know and become stronger than ever at the same time.

Here’s how I’ll do that:

1. Double Down on Economic Development

Property taxes are the backbone of every town budget. In Orange, homeowners now shoulder a growing share because residential property values have risen three times faster than commercial over the past 20 years.

To fix that imbalance, I’ll create a municipal economic development department inside Town Hall. This new team will aggressively pursue grants, coordinate commercial development that fits our town’s character, and strengthen partnerships with existing businesses.

Smart, responsible growth will stabilize property taxes while maintaining the investments that make Orange special.

2. Deliver on Long-Discussed Projects

We’ve talked about improvements to Fred Wolfe Park for well over a decade. I think about this every time I bring my daughter to lacrosse practice. Families love the playground, but many residents – young and old – drive to other towns for walking loops, pickleball courts, or other amenities.

The longer we wait, the more expensive this project becomes. I’ll prioritize phase 1 of the new master plan: repairing unsafe parking areas and building a new road around the park. A modest bond is the right financial tool to spread the cost of this investment over many years, just like a home mortgage. Then we’ll aggressively pursue grants to fund later phases.

Fred Wolfe Park has the potential to be a true gathering place where residents of all ages connect. It’s an overdue investment in our community.

3. Modernize How Town Hall Serves You

Today, reporting a pothole or getting information from Town Hall can be frustrating. You dig through outdated websites, get bounced between offices, or post on social media for help.

That’s why I’ll launch Orange Connect, a centralized hub for all non-emergency requests available by phone, website or app. If you spot a pothole on Lambert Road, you can upload a photo, get a confirmation, and track when it’s fixed.

This small step lets us catch problems early, deliver results faster and create a safer, more respectful community.

4. Strengthen the Partnerships that Make Orange Work

Orange thrives because of the volunteers, nonprofits and civic groups that give their time and heart to serve our town. As first selectman, I’ll be their biggest champion, making sure Town Hall supports their efforts and that everyone feels part of one team.

Our campaign has reached out to residents more than 10,000 times – a record by any measure. Those conversations revealed the best of Orange: practical ideas, shared pride and a willingness to get involved.

The more we empower our residents, the stronger our community will become.

5. Communicate Clearly and Lead with Respect

Transparency builds trust, and it starts with open communication. That’s why our campaign hosted three town hall forums this year where anyone could ask questions and share ideas. As first selectman, I’ll make sure you always know what decisions are being made, how money is being spent, and how to get involved.

Recently, a woman who’s lived in Orange for 50 years told me she loves this town but wishes she heard more about what’s happening beyond the Senior Center and Orange Government Access Television. She doesn’t expect to know everything, just to feel informed and included. That conversation stuck with me.

Good government isn’t about grand gestures or taking credit. It’s about consistency, respect, and keeping residents informed. Financial pressure and political polarization test every community, but they can also bring out our best. On day one, I’ll get to work on these initial commitments to keep Orange strong over the next two years.

When we talk about the future of Orange, we’re talking about whether our kids will want to come back after graduation, whether retirees can stay in the town they love, and whether everyone still feels they belong.

If you’re ready for that kind of leadership, I’d be honored to earn your vote. Let’s move Orange forward together.