Now more than ever, Cornwall needs the strong democratic foundation we have created, so we can continue the progress we have made and keep our town moving forward.
We are the local Democratic volunteers of Cornwall, Connecticut. We work to elect local, regional, and national candidates, to advance liberty and justice for all through advocacy and community events, and to raise the profile of our town’s proud Democratic Party voters!
These are the key issues we will continue to focus upon in the next two years.
I’m looking forward to serving another term as Cornwall’s First Selectmen. We are working on welcoming new businesses and residents, moving the waste-water project in West Cornwall toward completion, expanding composting and solar energy initiatives, maintaining the Town’s Social Service safety net, and increasing the housing opportunities in Cornwall. I look forward to sharing my experience with a new generation of Town leaders. I was delighted to hear the positive results of a large effort to keep open Sharon Hospital’s delivery room. I thoroughly appreciate your support.
Fifteen years ago I moved to Cornwall with my partner, Iris Hermann. We chose Cornwall to be our home to raise our 3 children. During that time I have become deeply entwined in the Cornwall community by serving on the Fire Department, Park & Rec, and coaching baseball for the CCS team. Being an avid runner, I worked with the Little Guild to bring a 5k road race to town and have been the race director of the Run & Wag 5k for the past ten years. In 2021, I was the principal developer of the new Cornwall Town Website; which has helped attract more attention to our town and bring access and awareness to current Cornwallians.
I currently serve on the Board of Finance, Cornwall Housing Corporation, and the Cornwall Web Committee. My day job is as a digital marketing manager and I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in information science from Hartwick College. I have also worked with many local businesses and nonprofits in the area on a freelance basis.
If elected, I will focus my efforts on several key areas including:
I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts on these issues.
Rocco Botto
As a businessman in Cornwall for over 40 years I seek re-election as Treasurer to continue monitoring responsible fiscal policy to meet the needs of the town without over-burdening the taxpayer. For the Board of Assessment Appeals, I will continue to carefully listen to tax assessment appeals by citizens in a factual and fair manner.
Serving as an alternate on Cornwall’s Board of Finance for the last year, I’ve come to understand and appreciate what it takes to manage the town’s resources in a responsible manner. As a full member of the board, I hope to further contribute my skills in strategic planning, budgeting, and financial management to help Cornwall successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities.
It is an honor to seek re election for a second term on the Board of Education. I have served the past three years as vice chair. We have hired two principals (and worked with five!), balanced and presented our yearly school budget, updated and edited dozens of school policies during our audit; curtailing and adapting them to suit Cornwall’s unique needs. I served as the BoE rep on the CCS Safety and Security Committee, participated in teacher contract negotiations, and accomplished my personal term goal of ensuring that CCS employs a more than part-time Art Teacher. Through the worst of Covid, our board worked together seamlessly to manage the school climate and state mandates, and to support the best interests of students and staff. I have the asset of being the only present board member with children currently in attendance at CCS. Thank you for entrusting me with four more years of diligent representation, showing up for the hard work, and helping our wonderful school thrive.
I started with the Planning and Zoning Commission as an alternate in 2012. It takes years to understand the state’s Land Use statutes and how they transfer authority for creating and enforcing local zoning regulations to municipalities. I became chair in 2019. The goals that I wish to work on are improvements to the current regulations, a re-evaluation of our by-laws, and mechanisms for communication with, and education of Cornwall property owners on their property rights that are inherent in both state law and local zoning regulations.
As a registered architect, my work involves cooperating with various local zoning offices and navigating different zoning regulations. I have gained a healthy respect for the importance of zoning regulations – and the commissions that oversee them – and the effect they can have on a town. Having grown up in Cornwall, I am thrilled to be able to live here and work here. I want to make sure it is possible for those who love it here, both current and future inhabitants, to be able to remain here, and for it to remain as special as it is.
I believe our town is, and should always, be fiscally sound, and I will work with the other Finance Commissioners to keep our town both financially secure and fiscally prudent.
