SEYMOUR – The Democrat running for First Selectwoman said she will work to make the town more affordable if elected Nov. 4.
“It’s no secret that I’m not happy with the direction our town has been going in,” said Theresa Conroy, a former state Representative and current member of the Seymour Board of Selectpersons.. “Between re-evaluation and the mill rate going down, many resident’s taxes, including mine, have gone up. In speaking with many of our seniors and young families, their taxes went up $1,200 a year.”
Conroy is challenging First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis, the Republican incumbent seeking her third term.
Conroy said town government needs to encourage more economic development, invest more in infrastructure, and revitalize its downtown.
Conroy said vacant parcels such as the former Housatonic Wire and Seymour Lumber Co. properties – at the corner of Route 67 and River Street – are prime for development. She favors a mixed-use development of housing and retail/commercial space there, taking advantage of the natural beauty of the waterfalls running behind the properties, and reaching out to the state for assistance.
Citing past successes as a state representative who secured $1.8 million in state funding for improvements to the Seymour High School athletic complex, Conroy said she’s no stranger to seeking out money.
“I’ve worked with the state, and we’ve got to tap into the state Department of Economic and Community Development to help us,” she said. “I know how to research, advocate for, and secure resources that benefit Seymour.”
Conroy said Tri-Town Plaza needs more businesses.
“It’s great to get another hairdresser or pizza place in town, but that’s not helping with our taxes,” she said. “We do have areas, like Tri-Town, where larger development can happen, and I am willing to work with Ron Spector (the plaza’s managing partner and holder of a 99-year lease) and other developers to get something going.”
Conroy also sees the 220-plus acres of Haynes-owned property behind Stop & Shop as the best chance to grow Seymour’s tax base. Haynes received a $3 million grant to help build an access road into the property. Conroy said she’ll tap into her connections with state and federal delegations to seek additional money to help make Haynes’ vision for a mixed-use development of housing, retail and commercial space that’d be bigger than Haynes’ Quarry Walk in Oxford a reality.
“I’m not afraid to go out and get more money to help with this development, which will be one of our biggest, long-term investments,” Conroy said.
Conroy said 17-acres in the Silvermine Industrial Park could also be a good investment for someone to build industrial or multi-family housing there. Drugonis said the parcel can’t be developed because of its topography.
Conroy said recent state legislation allows municipalities to establish property tax relief programs for owner-occupied homes, exempting 5 to 35 percent of a home’s assessed value.
“I will evaluate this new tool carefully to determine how Seymour can use it to help homeowners, especially seniors and residents on fixed incomes,” Conroy said.
Conroy said she would take a closer look at town spending. She took exception with a “floater” position in town government and a new fire inspector job. She said money budgeted for those positions, at about $55,000 apiece, could have been saved by utilizing existing resources.
“Most offices in town hall have two employees, so there’s usually someone there to cover other offices when needed,” Conroy said. “And we had qualified volunteers already helping with fire inspections, so we didn’t need the new position.”
Having grown up with a love of community and service instilled in her by her late parents, former First Selectman Frank and Anne Conroy, Seymour’s unofficial historian, Conroy said having a gathering spot, like downtown, is important. However, Conroy said downtown lately isn’t as vibrant as it used to be and she aims to change that.
“I want to bring back events like “First Saturdays” where people gather downtown to support small businesses,” Conroy said. “Downtown is the heart of our community, and I want to work with our downtown business owners and get downtown revitalized.”
Conroy, who worked as a family nurse practitioner for more than 30 years before retiring, said she’ll work to provide more recreational opportunities for residents. She hopes to improve hiking trails and walking paths and will look into having a community pool. She’ll also work with local nonprofits to expand food security programs.
“I have lived here my whole life, and I know the history of the town, and I know where we need to go in the future,” Conroy said. “We have young families starting out here, and we want them to have a say in what they want in this town. I’m a straight talker, I’m honest, and my track record shows that I will be working for everyone whether you’re a Democrat, a Republican or an Independent.”
Conroy previously served on the Board of Selectpersons under former Democratic First Selectman Paul Roy, She represented Seymour and Beacon Falls in the state House of Representatives from 2009 until 2011, and again from 2013 to 2017.
She was elected again to the Seymour Board of Selectpersons in 2023.
Conroy has a nursing degree from Quinnipiac College, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern Connecticut State University, and a master’s degree in family nursing from Fairfield University. She graduated from Seymour High School in 1975.
She is married to Mary Ellen LoGiudice, a retired Seymour educator, and is mother of two grown sons, Joseph M. Niezelski and Frank Niezelski.
Conroy also authored the “Images of America: Seymour” book which pays tribute to the town’s history, with proceeds donated to the Seymour Historical Society.
“My family helped build Seymour’s past, and I’m ready to help shape its future — one that is stronger, healthier, and more united than ever before,” Conroy said. With experience, dedication, and a deep love for this community, I will bring the leadership, collaboration, and integrity needed to move Seymour forward.”