Compiled each year as a public service by the League of Women Voters of Darien.
This Voters’ Guide is designed to provide information about the candidates to the public in a nonpartisan and balanced way to assist them in casting an informed vote on Election Day.
Questionnaires were submitted to candidates for local offices, asking one or more office related questions. Responses were limited to a specific word count and are printed exactly as submitted by the candidates. For every ballot position, a voter may write in the name of someone who is not listed as a candidate on a separate line at the bottom of the ballot for “Write-In Votes.”
In the State of Connecticut for those votes to be counted, the individual whose name is being written in, must have registered with the Secretary of State. Write-in candidates for the RTM must register with the Town Clerk no later than the last business day preceding the election.
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—PART I: First Selectman, Board of Selectmen
—PART 2: Board of Education, Board of Finance
—PART 4: Representative Town Meeting
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The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that encourages the informed and active participation of all citizens in the process of government. The LWV of Darien is a local group of both men and women who strive to improve the quality of democracy by increasing voters’ knowledge of candidates and issues.
Vote Tuesday, Nov. 2 — Democracy is not a spectator sport!
(*) Signifies that the candidate is an incumbent.
Districts Have Changed: You Can Find Out Here Which One You’re in, and Therefore Where You Vote, Right Now:
Here are three ways you can find out online:
—In order to balance the voting districts, the these streets had their districts changed
—Alphabetical Street Listing for Polling Locations
Voting hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polling locations are given below, just beneath the heading for each district. Here’s the full list:
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION (Full Term)
Vote for up to Two
Term: 11/08/2021 – 11/10/2025
Questions: (Answers limited to 250 words in total)
1. To what extent should climate change be factored into Planning and Zoning decisions?
2. Should Darien do more to encourage affordable housing?
Adam Balgach, Democratic Party
55 Cedar Gate Road
1. As witnessed by the recent 200 and 500 year storms this past summer which caused significant flood damage to both private and public property, climate change should be one of many factors in the decision making process. After the storms almost ten years ago Darien incorporated several stronger measures to our regulations to address drainage and flooding. As the climate changes, the forecasted climate in the Northeast is expected to get wetter, with storms bringing more intense rain like those of this past summer. With this knowledge Planning and Zoning should seek to build on the current foundation to ensure that any development incorporates a changing climate.
2. Darien should use its zoning regulations to encourage more housing options for everyone, which includes affordable housing. As a very desirable place to live we should shape our regulations to encourage growth in the number of housing units available so that we can be a more inclusive town for every family that wants to move here.
*Stephen P. Olvany, Republican Party
49 Echo Dr. North
1. Our recent inundation with flooding has all of us concerned. P&Z had the forethought in 2009 to pass the flood mitigations Regulations. We know more needs to be done on this including the update of FEMA to our town flood maps. I live in this town and have experienced these hardships too, and will work with our neighbors to find even more solutions to these complicated problems.
2. We are the most forward-thinking town in the State on affordable housing. We are being emulated by our peer towns as an example of Best in Class. Between 2000-2020, the total number of approved and constructed multi-family units within Darien is 860 with over 31%, or 272, designated as affordable multi-family housing. We value diversity in housing stock and affordable housing. We are already on a great pathway. Hearing the voice of our local residents, and ensuring their voice matters, helps us all to continue this important work.
*James H. Rand, Republican Party
31 Ox Ridge Lane
No response.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
(to fill a vacancy for two years)
Vote for One
Term: 11/02/2021 – 11/13/2023
Questions: (250-word limit)
1. To what extent should climate change be factored into Planning and Zoning decisions?
2. Should Darien do more to encourage affordable housing?
*Geoffrey W. Ball, Republican Party
6 Bates Farm Lane
No response.
TOWN CLERK
Vote for One [there’s only one candidate]
Term: 01/03/2022 – 01/02/2024
Question: (100-word limit):
What are your qualifications, and have you identified any initiatives for the Town Clerk’s office in the upcoming term?
*Christa Sheehan McNamara, Republican Party
69 St. Nicholas Road
I am honored to have the chance to continue serving the residents of Darien as their Town Clerk in the upcoming election. I have been serving as the interim town clerk since June 1st following the unanimous vote by the Board of Selectmen in support of my appointment.
Together with my team, I am committed to continuing the high level of customer service that our residents have known throughout the years, though now with an increased focus on exploring opportunities with software programs so that residents have a chose to interact with the office on-line, as well as in person.
TREASURER
Vote for One [only one candidate is running]
Term: 11/08/2021 – 11/13/2023
Question: (100-word limit)
What factors do you consider when making investment decisions for the Town?
*Joan D. Hendrickson, Republican Party
97 Hoyt St.
As treasurer, my number one concern in making an investment decision is the safety of the investment. All of our investments by statute must have reserves held against the investment by the institution with which we invest.
The investments must meet the standards described in Connecticut Statute 7-400. Investments must be short-term which town counsel has defined as under 2 years. Yield is the third aspect, but is behind safety and liquidity in priority. Town counsel opines on the suitability of all classes of investment.
TAX COLLECTOR
Vote for One [only one candidate running]
Term: 11/08/2021 – 11/13/2023
Question: (75-word limit)
Are you considering any new initiatives for the upcoming term?
*Kathleen M. Larkins, Republican Party
57 Echo Drive North
As a matter of policy, any new initiative that streamlines and/or enhances the tax collection process is always a top priority.
In addition to realizing collection rates of 99.65% and 99.74%, the following initiatives have been implemented during my current term:
—Expansion of online payments to include sewer service and sewer assessment billings;
—Successful negotiation of lower convenience fees with the online payment provider
—Addition of American Express to list of accepted bank cards
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
Vote for One
Term: 11/08/2021 – 11/10/2025
Question: (75-word limit)
For voter education purposes, please explain the responsibilities of your office.
*Glenn S. Ritch, Democratic Party
57 Hale Lane
No response.
*Christopher S. Peters, Republican Party
218 Old Kings Hwy. North
The three members of the Board of Assessment Appeals meet with property owners who don’t feel the Town Assessor has accurately valued their property. Our responsibility is to consider both the applicant’s value and the Town’s value and decide if either is correct or it’s somewhere between and then adjust the value accordingly. We look at both land and improvements and consider the unique factors that impact the value of each.
CONSTABLES
Vote for up to Two
Term: 11/08/2021 – 11/13/2023
Question: (75-word limit)
For Voter education purposes, please explain the responsibilities of your office.
*Louis James Calastro, Republican Party
15 Hollow Tree Ridge Road
No response.
*Alan T. Hyatt, Republican Party
114 West Ave.
No response