Politics & Government
Bellitto Readies for First Selectman Campaign
Board of Finance member Robert Bellitto, Jr., said if he is elected in November, his biggest priority will be to bring Fairfield "back to its roots."
Seven months before the November election, a second Republican is getting a headstart on the campaign for first selectman.
Board of Finance member Robert Bellitto, Jr. will during an announcement on April 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Sullivan Independence Hall, 725 Old Post Road.
In an interview with Patch, Bellitto said if he is elected in November, his biggest priority will be to bring Fairfield “back to its roots.”
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“The biggest thing I hope to accomplish as first selectman is to get Fairfield back to its roots as an affordable and diverse town,” Bellitto told Patch.
Comparing the current Town of Fairfield – a community comprised of nearly 60,000 residents – with that of yesteryear, Bellitto said he would like to return the town to a more affordable community.
Find out what's happening in Fairfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“My grandparents moved here from the Bronx in 1953. My grandfather was a truck driver, and my grandmother was a secretary. They bought a house in Lake Hills, raised two boys, paid off their mortgage and enjoyed a modest but fulfilling retirement. If they were to move to Fairfield today, it would be difficult if not impossible to live that same life,” he said.
Bellitto told Patch, as first selectman, his top three priorities in Fairfield would be contract negotiations, increasing the commerical tax base and the town's aging infrastructure. Providing details, Bellitto outlined his goals in addressing each issue:
- Negotiation of municipal contracts. Contractual obligations make up almost 70% of the town budget, according to Bellitto. “As first selectman, I will commission an independent consultant to conduct a full cost analysis of our employment and benefit costs. Using this information, I will negotiate, or renegotiate, collective bargaining agreements that are fair and fiscally responsible,” he said.
- Increase Fairfield’s commercial tax base. Bellitto explained: “Residential homeowners bear the largest tax burden in our town. In order to alleviate this burden without compromising services, I will encourage responsible commercial growth and development in those areas which are appropriately zoned for such development.”
- Rebuild aging town infrastructure. “I will work with the Department of Public Works and the Board of Education to develop a master plan for renovation and maintenance for all town facilities and structures,” Bellitto said. “This plan will be a joint effort that takes advantage of economies of scale and combined purchasing. It will be integrated with the five year capital plan so that costs and priorities can be monitored by all town boards.”
Bellitto said the current administration has suffered from a “lack of focus,” referring to First Selectman Ken Flatto’s outside job interests. Flatto will step down as first selectman later this month to take a job with the state as executive director of the state Division of Special Revenue.
“Our current administration has suffered from a lack of focus. It is difficult to concentrate on the complex issues facing our town while seeking out other job opportunities,” Bellitto said. “I will treat the job of first selectman with the respect and commitment it deserves. The people of Fairfield elect the first selectman to a four-year term. We have the right to expect that the person we elect will serve the term to completion.”
Bellitto’s ideal running mate? His wife, he tells Patch.
“Since she’s not running, I would want to run with an individual who is experienced in town government, reasoned and articulate, and who is not afraid to tell me when I’m wrong.”
With the likely appointment of Board of Finance member Mike Tetreau to fill the vacancy left by Flatto, Bellitto said the incumbent's pre-term departure will impact the general election in November.
“Upon Mr. Flatto’s resignation, our entire Board of Selectmen will be appointed, not elected. This is not good for the town,” Bellitto said. “The town charter needs to be revised so that there is a clear succession plan when a first selectman or selectman fails to complete their term, for whatever reason.”
Bellitto had a lot to say about how Flatto’s departure would also affect the negotiations of town union contracts that are in different stages of bargaining.
“I am concerned about the seven town union contracts that are still in various stages of collective bargaining. These contract negotiations must not be rushed to completion before Mr. Flatto leaves office,” Bellitto said. “These negotiations should also not be left to an interim first selectman who has not participated in this collective bargaining process, and who will have a steep learning curve to get up to speed. The voters of Fairfield ought to be able to determine who they want to negotiate these contracts to completion.”
To make their candidates official, the next step for the GOP is a caucus in July, which is open to all registered Republicans to vote for the candidate they want to represent their party in the November election. Bellitto told Patch he believes the party’s caucus system ensures fairness and qualified candidates.
“I believe that the current process works. The caucus system ensures that qualified and interested candidates have a fair opportunity to run for office and be properly vetted by their peers,” Bellitto said. “The primary gives registered party voters the opportunity to select the candidates they believe will best represent their party in the general election.”
And if he were to lose the caucus in July, Bellitto said he is prepared for a primary.
“I believe that the voters should decide who will be their candidate in November,” he said. “If a primary is necessary to accomplish this, I am prepared for that event.”