Engaging the Community and Inclusive Leadership
We will set partisan politics aside and include all points of view in decision-making.
Our candidate slate includes all party affiliations, and we have cross endorsed all candidates most of whom are already serving the town. Our full, diverse ticket puts partisan politics aside. We believe in surrounding ourselves with people who care about our town and are dedicated to helping us lead Bridgewater into the future regardless of political affiliation. We believe in listening carefully to the needs and concerns of every resident through consistent, transparent and straightforward communication. We will continue the Town Newsletter, enhance our town calendar, and increase outreach with town groups and organizations creating more opportunities for collaboration. Honoring and continuing our traditions like holiday gatherings, the annual tractor parade, and roast beef dinners are also important to us. We will welcome new volunteers to our town boards and commissions. We look forward to hearing more about what our community likes and taking suggestions for the future.
Fiscal Responsibility
We will focus on efficiencies and pursue all strategies to keep taxes low.
Eric and Carolan will be a fresh set of eyes on town expenditures. Together they bring business and finance backgrounds that will look hard at where the town spends money. Our goal will be to work with residents, boards and commissions to keep focus on government efficiency. Our Town owned buildings are in good shape and we will methodically maintain them to avoid future unanticipated expenses. When significant capital improvements are undertaken, we will employ all strategies to keep taxes low through grants, private funding, a robust bidding process and strong project management.
Keep Bridgewater Green and Enhanced Recreation
We support policies that protect open space and promote investment in outdoor recreational facilities.
We recognize that people are here because they love the natural landscape and rural character of the community. The sense of calm you feel when crossing the Lillinonah bridge and the quiet beauty of the countryside is what makes Bridgewater a gem. We will support policies and regulations that help protect our open space, support our working farms and maintain the small-town charm that makes our community so unique. In addition, we want to strongly endorse recreational opportunities for our residents. Our Recreation Center on Sarah Sanford Road is the envy of surrounding towns. Our Town Park off Tappen Road is a sanctuary with benches, lake views, trail heads, and a spot to put in a kayak. We plan to maintain these areas and encourage ideas for improvement. Public access to land, activities that promote good health and an active Recreation Center build camaraderie and a sense of community.
Support Of Our Schools, Young Families and Seniors
We want The Burnham School to remain in town and our seniors to receive the support they need.
We will continue to build strong relationships with the Region 12 Administration and will guarantee our Bridgewater voice is heard. Paying attention to our local elementary and regional middle/high school will be a constant part of our duties. After all, the Region 12 budget is nearly 70% of Bridgewater’s tax dollars. We will insist on the best education possible for our students while keeping spending in check. Carolan has worked tirelessly for twenty years to keep the Burnham Elementary School in Bridgewater. Her ongoing efforts include founding an After Care Enrichment Program for families and strategically starting a Tuition In Program contributing to classes that are full, a thriving student body and families who love what The Burnham School has to offer. We will also look for ways to foster affordability so that young families can move here. We believe that a strong community respects, engages, and uplifts its older residents. The Hilltop Senior Center has served as a hub of friendship, wellness, and support in Bridgewater. We will work and communicate with folks who use the Senior Center to continue the wonderful programs and services that are offered and plan for the future. We will coordinate with the staff to continue outreach to ensure all seniors know what’s available—and feel welcome. Bridgewater’s older adults are the backbone of our town.
Helping Neighbors in Need and Public Safety
We are deeply committed to resident safety and security, and to addressing the increasingly prevalent problem of speeding.
Our volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services are cornerstones of our community, answering calls at all hours with professionalism, skill, and heart. Eric is actively involved with both the Fire and EMS services and has seen firsthand the level of commitment our volunteers bring to every emergency—often leaving their families, jobs, or sleep behind to help a neighbor in need. We are committed to a strong partnership with the BVFD and support of these critical volunteers. We are fortunate to live in a town with relatively low crime, but continued investment in our public safety infrastructure, including sharing our resident trooper with Roxbury, is essential to keeping Bridgewater safe. We believe in investing in these services and ensuring that every resident feels protected and cared for when it matters most. Speeding is a significant problem, and we will work with our town police to help slow down the traffic and investigate all effective options.