In the crowded Middle School auditorium Monday, Paul Roy stood with his wife, Evelyn, by his side as Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz swore him in as First Selectman for the Town of Seymour.
After swearing his oath, Roy took to the podium to address the cheering crowd. He promised two years of hard work in bringing Seymour into the 21st century, turning the community into a “destination, not a drive-thru.”
Though he wasn’t sworn into office until 6:55 p.m., Roy said he had spent the day embracing his new duties. He met with First Selectman Bob Koskelowski to review transition materials, scheduled meetings and, with the aid of his wife, began preparing his office.
“Oh no, my first day was today,” he said.
Out of the gates, he is turning his eye toward economic development. Roy said he is meeting with representatives from area businesses and starting work on plans to revitalize the town’s economy.
“We’re going to hit the road running on this one,” he said.
And he acknowledges there are issues still on the books to be resolved with All-State Commercial Truck Driving that need to be addressed. He said a meeting is in the works.
Other challenges will come in the form of an impending revaluation, which could show a dramatic shift in the tax burden on residents and business. Adding to that are fears of what the state will do with funding packages to municipalities in light of a paired back budget.
“It’s going to be a challenge with what the state budget is,” said Roy, as well wishers shook hands and headed to the cafeteria for refreshments.
Some of the crowd congratulated him, others were already seeking to grab his ear to share their thoughts and concerns. He smiled, shook hands and assured people his office would be open.
A common theme for the ceremony was the evolution of the area, in particular the Naugatuck River, once known for high levels of pollution.
State Rep. Theresa Conroy offered a section of reflections during the ceremony during which she recalled a time when the river smelled foul and was generally unpleasant. Things are starting to change for the river, and, according to Conroy, so will Seymour through the leadership of people like Roy.
“Today we all look forward to a fish ladder so fish can come up river to spawn,” she said, referring to a project for the river years in the making.
As new life was coming to the river once again, strong leaders would need to transform the now quiet mills and factories into new sources of prosperity for the community. To that end she felt Roy could help “transform Seymour into a place all could be proud to call home.”
Roy accepted that challenge, saying the town holds many valuable assets just waiting to be tapped.
“Who would have thought as kids, we would think of the Naugatuck River as an asset,” he asked the crowd. To emphasize the new found worth of the river, Roy said he would like to see a river-walk built.
That sort of project was just part of the “new vision for Seymour” he said he wants to bring to fruition.
“We can no longer do what we have always done if we want to be successful,” said Roy. However he doesn’t want to seem dark or morose about Seymour’s possible future, saying he really wants to remain as positive and “can-do” as possible.
Bysiewicz said he was coming into office at a special time for civil service workers and leaders, as budgets around the nation as a whole plummet and funds become harder to acquire. She expressed confidence that he could see Seymour through the next two years.
“He is so well prepared, he has spoken to thousands of residents,” Bysiewicz said.
As the crowd emptied out of the auditorium, he searched alone around the podium for a bouquet meant for his wife that was missed in the ceremony. Finding it, he headed out to deliver it properly.
Along the way he answered how he felt, standing next to her on the stage in front of the audience and taking the oath.
“Proud, humble,” he said with a big smile stretching across his face.
