Q & A: Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis

SEYMOUR — New First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis said she is settling nicely into her new role, which started about six weeks ago after longtime Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller left to take a job in Ansonia City Hall.

Drugonis, a 1987 graduate of Shelton High School, spoke with the Valley Indy to discuss what it’s been like running the town amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and for those who may not know her so well, gave some insight about what makes this Valley girl tick.

Valley Indy: What inspired you to get involved in local politics?

Drugonis: (Former Selectman) Roberta King had asked me to fill a vacant seat on the Board of Selectmen in 2007, and here we are in 2020. This is where it all started, by filling a need in my community. I always encourage my daughter, Alana, to give back to her community, and this is my way of giving back.

Valley Indy: When you first learned that Kurt was leaving, did you immediately think I can do the job?’

Drugonis: I always knew I could do it … the question always was did I really want it, and I clearly wanted it. After many discussions with Nicole, Themis (the Klarides sisters and longtime friends) as well as my daughter, I went for it.

Valley Indy: How would you describe your style of running the town?

Drugonis: I have an open door policy. I am straightforward and transparent and I will always get back to a resident with a phone call or email.

Valley Indy: How have the last few weeks on the job been going? What have you been doing? 

Drugonis: What am I not doing? I am here 24/7 getting to know everyone and learning every aspect of my town government. I am currently working on the budget, firefighters’ abatements with the Ordinance Committee, as well as meeting with the Economic Development Committee, meeting and speaking with town residents at Town Hall.

Valley Indy: What top three goals/priorities do you have for Seymour going forward?

Drugonis: Kurt and his team have done a great job for the past 10 years moving the town I love forward. I want to continue on that path of improving our town, tackling our budget and dealing with the COVID challenges.

Valley Indy: Speaking of COVID, how do you think the town is doing handling the crisis?

Drugonis: COVID is something we could never have imagined would impact our lives so dramatically and tragically. In Seymour and the Valley, we all come together as one, serving our town as a community and our residents.

Valley Indy: What do you plan to do differently than Kurt? Any new initiatives in the works? 

Drugonis: I’m continuing the work Kurt and his team has done for our town. I’m working with town departments to reduce our carbon footprint, reduce our waste streams and increase our recycling responsibilities, as well as ensuring we are all working safely.

Valley Indy: You’re co-owner and executive vice president of an environmental consulting company, Facility Support Services … what drew you to that line of work?

Drugonis: From a young age, I always found taking care of our environment and community was important. It seemed like a natural fit to go into the Environmental Compliance Field.

Valley Indy: When you’re not working, what do you like to do?

Drugonis: When I am not watching my daughter competing in swim events, I spend time with my friends and family, work in the garden and read.

Valley Indy: What are three things people might not know about you?

Drugonis: I like to go to the range. I am big animal advocate (I spent an hour in the woods in heels looking for Nicole’s cat Oscar). I hate roller coasters.

Valley Indy: Do you have any pets?

Drugonis: Of course I do! I have five pets. Three dogs: Slick, a 10-year old black lab,; Chloe, four years old, a Silver Lab and Blue, a six-year old Silver Lab who is Chloe’s mom that we rescued. Two cats: Darlington, an 11-year old grey tabby who I rescued from a compressor room at a job site I was on he was only three weeks old, and Luna, a five-year old, all white cat, who I rescued from a cat rescue in Cheshire when I worked at Bozzuto’s.

Valley Indy: Got a favorite color, last book you read, favorite kind of music, favorite food?

Drugonis: My favorite color is that of a sunset. Favorite food? I am such a foodie it’s hard to pick one, but if I did it would be Paella. Music depends on my mood. I listen to everything from Mozart to the band Disturbed. My last book that I read is the Hideaway by Nora Roberts.

Valley Indy: With the holidays right around the corner, do you have any family traditions? 

Drugonis: Being from an Italian/ Spanish family we have lots of holiday traditions from baking, eating to celebrating. But I think my favorite one is when my daughter wakes up the morning of the Epiphany and checks her stocking. She still loves that even at 16.

Valley Indy: With 2020 almost, thankfully, in the rear view mirror, and with Kurt’s term you inherited due to expire in Dec. 2021, will you plan to run for the office?

Drugonis: YES!

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