2025 Patch Profile: Chris Palmieri, Southington Town Council

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Chris Palmieri is running for the Southington Town Council as a Democrat.

The following is Chris Palmieri's questionnaire sent to Patch:

Candidate's Name: Chris Palmieri

What office are you seeking? Town Council

What town do you live in? Southington

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Occupation: School principal

Previous public office, appointive or elective: I am currently on the Town Council. I was previously elected to two other boards in Southington.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am honored to seek re-election to the Town Council.

I have always put the needs of residents first. I am proud of what has been accomplished during my time on the Council, but feel there is still work that needs to be done, especially related to public safety, education, and fiscal responsibility.

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

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is balancing the municipal services we provide to them while making them affordable for our residents.

I intend to be transparent with needs versus wants, pass fiscally responsible budgets, and monitor services provided.

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

I truly am vested in our community and regularly volunteer for numerous organizations. I am willing to work collaboratively with others in a bipartisan way.

I will continue to listen to all residents and use my knowledge and experience to handle all issues as they arise.

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

Public safety, education, and fiscal responsibility are some top priorities. Maintaining our infrastructure is critical, but we have to be careful not to overburden our taxpayers.

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

I hold myself to high standards, and I realize the importance of being dedicated, open, honest, inclusive, respectful, and compassionate toward others.

I advocate for what is in the best interest of our entire community.

I currently serve on the Open Space Committee, Economic Strike Committee, and the Apple Harvest Festival Advisory Committee.

I also served on the Public Works Committee and the Ordinance Review Committee in my last term. I also previously served as the chairman of the Town Council.

I am especially proud of my years as Chairman, where I led in a bipartisan manner, invested in infrastructure, addressed many services for our residents, including public safety, and created a property tax review committee to explore options to assist residents on a fixed income.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Be appreciative of what you have and pay it forward.

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

I am extremely proud to serve as an educator in our community.

I am actively involved in our annual Apple Harvest Festival and numerous civic organizations.

I previously served as the vice chairman of the Public Building Committee for Kennedy and DePaolo middle schools, was co-chair of Southington’s Farm Heritage Committee, and was Chairman of the Committee of the Chairs, which was a collaboration between the Town Council, Board of Education, Board of Finance, and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Other past committees include being a member of the Sewer Infrastructure Committee, the Bradley Memorial Hospital Advisory Committee, the Southington Public Library long-range committee, the tax relief committee, the Bread for Life review committee, and the Southington Enterprise Zone & Economic Development (SEED) Committee.