Patrick Roy elected as Roxbury first selectman
ROXBURY — The town has a new first selectman for the first time in more than 20 years, and his name is Patrick Roy.
A little more than 1,000 residents went to the polls Tuesday to exercise their right to vote, favoring the Democratic candidate to lead Roxbury over the next four years. The town’s current First Selectman Barbara Henry is retiring after 24 years of service.
“I stand in support with how the people voted today, and support the new Board of Selectmen,” she said. “I think they’ll do a great job for the town.”
Henry announced that she would not seek reelection earlier this year. She first served two years on the Region 12 Board of Education and then four years as a Roxbury selectman.
Of the town’s 1,821 registered voters, 1,065 came out to vote, which accounts for more than 58 percent of the electorate.
Roy, previously a member of the Board of Finance, came away with almost 691 votes, according to Town Clerk Peter Hurlbut. His Republican challenger, Bruce Tuomala, Danbury’s former economic development director, earned 364 votes.
Tuomala has also worked as a corporate executive, strategy consultant, government official, nonprofit consultant and volunteer, entrepreneur and business owner, and has served as a member of numerous boards.
“I’d like to thank everyone who supported and voted for me,” he said. “I wish Patrick and Kim all the best, and I’ll be rooting for them.”
Joining Roy and current Selectman Russell Dirienzo on the board is incoming Selectwoman Kim Tester, who earned 630 votes.
Roy spoke with Hearst Connecticut Media shortly after his win.
“Honestly I’m just very appreciative for everybody that came out in support of this campaign,” he said. “We ran a clean campaign, which we wanted to do, and Roxbury spoke. We did what we needed to do and we’re looking forward to serving our town.”
As first selectman, Roy plans to address the town’s bridges and culverts, which experienced some issues during storm Ida earlier this year, he said. He also wants to take a look at the town’s finances, but didn’t delve into specific details.
During a recent debate at Shepaug Valley High School in Washington, Roy reiterated to voters that he wasn’t a politician.”
“It’s not about what I’m going to do,” he had said. “It’s what we’re going to do together.”
Henry offered some words of advice for her successor: “Patrick just has to be himself. Sometimes the best advice is none at all. I hope he’ll stand up for what he campaigned on — promises made should be promises kept.”