Winsted selectmen are a dedicated group

At a recent Board of Selectman meeting, I observed a dedicated group. The meeting was run professionally with mutual respect demonstrated by all, a welcome change after many years of friction or discord at the selectmen meetings.

In 2016, through the efforts of the Democrat majority, a competent town manager was appointed to professionally manage the town and selectmen have been diligent in not micromanaging his office. This successful appointment is the key to our competent handling of government responsibilities in the town.

The manager’s reports to the board have been comprehensive and covered a wide range of issues before our community. Blight has been an enormous problem that affects the image of the community as well as directly affecting neighboring property values. This issue is being carefully addressed with personal involvement of the town manager and his staff. The results are beginning to show.

The improvement of the financial affairs of the town and the Board of Education, now all centered in City Hall, have been a major accomplishment under the leadership of this board and the town manager. The lengthy process of the adoption of the Connecticut budget and the implications to all Connecticut towns is frustrating. But Bob Geiger and his staff have positioned the community in a conservative fiscal stance to deal with the unexpected financial implications of the final state budget.

It is exciting to observe the positive vibes of the recent opening of new restaurants as well as the completion of the restoration and occupancy of the first of our mill buildings along the river.

Congratulations to the Board of Selectmen. Keep up the good work!!

Vote line ‘A’ on Nov. 7 for continued leadership and stability. — George Closson, Winsted