Meet your candidates for the Planning & Zoning Commission, Wilton!
There are nine candidates for eight open seats, although it’s not as simple as it first sounds. There are three two-year terms open, and there are three candidates running–Basam Nabulsi (D), Rick Tomasetti (R) and Matthew Murphy (R). Technically, those three candidates are uncontested.
The contested part of the race is for the five four-year terms–there are six candidates vying for those five seats: Eric Fanwick (D), Doris Knapp (D), Peter Shiue (R), Sally Poundstone (R), Christopher Pagliaro (R) and Melissa-Jean Rotini (unaffiliated).
The candidates were asked to provide short biographies as well as Op-Ed position statements. Links to those Op-Eds are included for candidates who did submit them. (They are listed in the order in which they will appear on the ballot.)
Four-Year Terms: Vote for Up to Five (5)
Eric Fanwick (D)
Eric Fanwick, who previously served on the Zoning Board of Appeals for five years, has served on the Water Pollution Control Authority for seven years. He is a senior systems analyst for OrthoNet, a leading health care management company headquartered in White Plains, and formerly ran his own technology consulting company.
“The town now has new challenges in that both retail and commercial vacancies are up and P&Z will play a vital role in setting the rules to fill this empty space while not destroying Wilton in the process. I ask for your support in helping me accomplish this goal.”
Doris Knapp (D)
Doris Knapp, who has served on the P&Z Commission for 10 years and is currently its secretary, has lived in Wilton for 45 years. She is an attorney specializing in family and juvenile practice, having represented children and parents in child protection, abuse and neglect matters.
“The Commission needs to insure that it pursues policies that not only protect the special character of Wilton but also enhance the quality of life for its residents. It should create a framework for planned and controlled growth as well.”
Peter Shiue (R)
A resident of Wilton since 2005, Peter Shiue has been a Planning & Zoning commissioner since 2012, after serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals (2006-2012). He received his BA from the University of Chicago and an MBA from the University of Connecticut. He has worked in commercial real estate for the past 20 years and is a senior broker with Colliers International. Shiue and his wife Vivian (WHS ’91) are the proud parents of Alex and Brianna, who are in the first grade at Miller-Driscoll School.
“If given the opportunity, I will continue to lean on my extensive experience and broad background to make land use decisions that best serve the needs of all WIltonians.”
Sally Poundstone (R)
Christopher Pagliaro (R)
Christopher Pagliaro has been a Wilton resident for 22 years. He has volunteered with several organizations, and served on the CPF and the Inspector’s Board of Appeals. Recently, he participated in Wilton Library’s “Wilton 2025” series, about the importance of addressing the planning needs of the community. He is a partner with BPS Architects, in South Norwalk.
“Having represented projects in countless municipalities, I bring extensive knowledge of good planning and zoning. The upcoming POCD will be the most important endeavor we have undertaken in decades. We need good planning, which includes finding the proper locations for necessary amenities so that we are no longer fighting each other, but sharing the benefits we all understand are necessary.”
Melissa-Jean Rotini (Petitioning)
Melissa-Jean Rotini grew up in Fairfield County and moved to Wilton with her husband in 2007. They have two daughters; the eldest is in kindergarten. Rotini attended Fordham University, double majored in political science and philosophy, and was on the debate team. She finished a semester early, and managed a department that obtained property valuations for mortgage portfolios. She attended Syracuse University College of Law, was an officer of the Moot Court Team, Form & Accuracy Editor of the Law & Technology Journal, won the Best Brief Award, and admitted to The Order of Barristers, for excellence and high honor in Courtroom Advocacy.
Two-Year Terms: Vote for Up to Three (3)
Basam Nabulsi (D)
A former three-term member of the commission, Bas Nabulsi was a member of the commission when it developed its current Plan of Conservation and Development. He is a partner in the Stamford law firm, McCarter & English, and specializes in intellectual property law. He has also served on the boards of the World Affairs Forum and the Women’s Business Development Council. He has lived in Wilton for 35 years.
Rick Tomasetti (R)
Rick Tomasetti is a Wilton native and graduate of Wilton Public Schools. He attended Syracuse University and received a Bachelors of Architecture from Roger Williams University. A local business owner, Tomasetti is a principal at Lovas & Tomasetti Architects LLC. His volunteer experience includes former Board of Directors of the Wilton Family YMCA, Wilton Lacrosse Association, Wilton Youth Football, Miller Driscoll Building Committee, Building Inspector Board of Appeals, Wilton Water Pollution Control Authority, and Wilton Planning & Zoning Commission. Tomasetti and his wife, Patty, have one son, Ricky, a senior at Wilton High School.
Matthew Murphy (R)
