Wallingford Election 2025: Melanie Rossacci Running For Town Council

WALLINGFORD, CT — The 2025 municipal election is heating up in Wallingford with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will cast their ballots in the Nov. 4 election for the position of mayor, along with seats on the Town Council and Board of Education.

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

Melanie Rossacci is running for election to the Wallingford Town Council as a Democrat.

Campaign Website
https://www.melanierossacci.co...

Occupation:

Consulting Senior Manager

Family:
I have been married for 24 years to my husband, Stephen.
I have 3 children. Tyler, Sydney and Brady.
Tyler was recently married and I have a new daughter-in-law, Emily.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes. I am currently an elected member of the Wallingford Board of Education.

Why are you seeking this office?
I’m running for Town Council because Wallingford is home. It is where I’ve raised my family, served on the Board of Education, and worked alongside neighbors to strengthen our community.

I’ve seen the challenges families face, from the need for strong schools to keeping our town affordable for seniors. My career has been about helping communities.

For me, this isn’t about politics – it is about making sure Wallingford is a place where families can thrive for generations to come. It is about making Wallingford a place that everyone wants to call home.

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 ensuring that Wallingford invests wisely in its future, particularly in education and town infrastructure, while keeping the tax burden manageable.

I will work to address this by working with my fellow town council members in supporting responsible school and infrastructure investments, revitalizing downtown, and strengthening partnerships with local organizations, so Wallingford continues to thrive without overburdening taxpayers. We will need to be creative and willing to try new things.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
What makes me different is my collaborative style. I don’t believe in top-down decisions. I listen, I bring people together, and I work to focus on solutions that are smart and benefit the most people possible.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
In addition to responsible investment in education and infrastructure, I intend to focus on three other priorities. First, revitalizing our lower downtown and attracting new businesses to expand our tax base and bring more energy to the heart of Wallingford. Second, supporting quality-of-life issues like safe roads, well-maintained athletic fields, and accessible services for families and seniors. And third, strengthening community partnerships, including nonprofits, schools, or local organizations, to help expand services and opportunities for community members, without adding costs to taxpayers. Together, these efforts will help keep Wallingford vibrant, affordable, and future-focused.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I would point to three accomplishments as evidence that I can handle this role. First, I led a nonprofit with a $25 million budget and more than 200 staff, where I successfully expanded services for children and families and lead the organization through major growth. This illustrates my ability to manage complex organizations and big decisions. Second, I currently serve on the Wallingford Board of Education, where I’ve been deeply involved in addressing our school facilities and budget challenges and worked to fully engage the public in all matters, giving me direct experience with the issues facing our town. And third, through my work as a senior manager in consulting and my service on community boards, I’ve built a track record of collaboration and results. These experiences prepare me to make thoughtful, balanced decisions for Wallingford’s future as a Town Councilor.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Acknowledge your mistakes, learn from them and do better next time.

Never ignore your mistakes, as they are your best teachers.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I want to reiterate that I know how to bring people together and make good, balanced decision. I’ve done it on the Board of Ed, and I’ll do the same on Town Council.