For the 2025 Wilton Municipal Elections, GOOD Morning Wilton asked all candidates to submit a 150-word bio; candidates running for the Boards of Selectmen, Finance and Education and the Planning and Zoning Commission were asked to sit for a video interview and submit an 800-word op-ed. In addition, candidates in the other races were invited to submit an op-ed if they wanted. More information is available in GMW’s Election Guidelines and Policies.
GMW Video Interview
Candidate Submitted Bio
David Tatkow has lived in Wilton for 11 years with his family, including two chihuahuas. A devoted father, he’s often on the sidelines of Wilton Soccer games, and supporting his children at Cider Mill and Middlebrook schools. Professionally, David is an investment consultant with Albourne America LLC, advising institutional investors on portfolio construction. He has built trusted client relationships, expanded Albourne’s Connecticut presence, and developed expertise in markets and financial strategy. A graduate of Dartmouth, David earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma. In Wilton, he serves on the Wilton Library Board and the Democratic Town Committee, and has volunteered with Junior Achievement. Passionate about public service, David believes in responsible development and long-term planning to sustain Wilton’s vitality. If elected to the Board of Selectmen, he pledges diligence, collaboration and integrity to balance tradition with progress.
Candidate Submitted Op-Ed
Embracing Thoughtful Growth for Wilton
by David Tatkow, Democratic Candidate for Board of Selectmen
In recent months our town has seen significant turnover at Town Hall, turnover on the Board of Selectmen, as well as a bizarre circumstance involving a key former employee. Change is a part of every community, but for a small one like Wilton it sure does seem like we’ve had a lot of it recently! Residents of our town deserve confidence that budgets will be managed responsibly, that contracts are negotiated fairly, and that decisions will be made openly. Right now Wilton needs stability, clear priorities, thoughtful vision, and a steady hand, and that is exactly why I’m running for the Board of Selectmen.
My motivation to run for the board is multi-fold: First is to make the simple administrative and management functions of this critical town board run as smoothly, accurately and efficiently as possible. Much of what the board does could be described as “routine” or even “boring” by some, however proper execution is critical to ensure that services are delivered, that the town’s finances are prudently managed, and that Wilton’s reputation remains strong. My long career working in investment manager research and consulting to institutional allocators, I believe, has prepared me well for synthesizing large amounts of information, asking the right questions, and making decisions. I’ve had to collaborate closely with many individuals both within my firm, and at my institutional investor clients through the years, and I hope to bring this ethos of effective working partnership to the Board of Selectmen.
While the first part of my motivation to run is more about operational stability, the second component is largely visionary. Wilton has many great qualities, however to truly make it into town where residents can find recreational, entertainment and dining options without leaving our borders, and a town which visitors view as a true destination, critical thinking needs to be done on our long-term plan, and on the infrastructure and assets required to achieve this. Wilton needs to be a town that accommodates residents at all stages of their lives, from young adults looking for their first apartment when starting a career, to parents requiring abundant green space and child-friendly community activities, to empty nesters looking to downsize, yet wanting to remain a part of the community.
Alongside the need for thoughtful development, residents are justified in being protective of Wilton’s timeless charm. Growth should be thoughtful and measured. We should protect open spaces wherever possible and ensure that development is done with the goal of reducing the burden on residential taxpayers over the long term. Evaluating costs for infrastructure fixes and improvement is of course of the utmost importance, however as we have unfortunately discovered in recent years, kicking the can down the road only makes the bill larger later on.
The goal isn’t growth for growth’s sake — the goal is smart planning. By engaging residents early and openly, we can build a shared vision that balances fiscal responsibility with the quality of life that drew us all here in the first place. Wilton is defined by values such as strong schools; a tolerant, caring community; and a beautiful natural setting. Preserving those values doesn’t mean resisting all change — it means guiding it.
While we focus on improving our local community, decisions from the current administration in Washington — often misguided and harmful — threaten to weaken our schools, undermine environmental protections, and damage public health. We can’t sit back and hope that resources and helpful leadership will come from elsewhere; we must chart our own course and ensure that locally elected candidates will defend our values.
This fall’s election will help determine what kind of town Wilton will be in the years ahead. Will we preserve what makes Wilton special while embracing smart, thoughtful change? Will we defend our community values against outside forces that don’t reflect who we are? I believe the answer is ‘yes’ — but we must choose steady, thoughtful leadership. That’s what I’m offering.
I ask for your support, your ideas and your vote. Together, we can keep Wilton strong, stable and forward-looking — while preserving the values and natural environment that make us proud to call it home.
Candidate Interview Clips
Q:What do you bring to the table to help make the Board of Selectmen better? You mentioned working with the state as a client — is there any conflict for you, or could that be a benefit in this role?
Q: You talked about analysis and accountability — can you reflect on how the current Board of Selectmen handles conflict, whether between members or with the First Selectman, and how you would approach that?
Q: You’ve watched the meetings — are you shocked by how things have unfolded? And given the separation of powers between the First Selectman and the Board, do you think there’s really anything that can be done to improve the situation?
Q: As someone with financial experience, how dramatic do you find the situation with the finance department and the related issues?
Q: Some people have mentioned possibly needing a charter revision to realign how government operates in town. What’s your view on that?
Q: You mentioned background checks and process for hiring — given that the First Selectman keeps a distinct line between her role and the Selectmen’s, how could you influence staffing or address management issues at Town Hall?
Q: What’s your view on hiring both a CFO and a Town Administrator — do we need both, or should that be reconsidered?
Q: Does Rich McCarty have an unfair advantage in running for the Board of Selectmen? How did that appointment process happen — why was his name put forward and yours wasn’t?
Q: Let’s talk about transparency and accountability. There have been questions about why certain meetings went into executive session. Do you think the town needs to improve accountability and transparency?
Q: Let’s talk about project management — starting with the police headquarters. What’s your take on how that project has been managed?
Q: There have been red flags with DPW and bonded money for road paving not being spent. What’s the Board of Selectmen’s role in addressing this?
Q: How do you think the Capital Planning Committee has been functioning?
Q: What are your thoughts on what the town should do with Gilbert & Bennett? Would you advocate keeping Gilbert & Bennett rather than selling it?
Q: Everyone talks about economic development, but few act. How do you think Wilton should move forward with smart development and growth?
Q: When it comes to Town Hall renovations versus repairs, how urgent is the need, and where do you stand on renovate vs. rebuild vs. replace?
Q: What are your thoughts on restoring the Yellow House?
Q: There’s $2.6 million in unpaid taxes and talk of a tax sale — what’s your position on that? To put that in local terms, explain what a “haircut” means for residents — should properties be sold to recover unpaid taxes?
Q: As someone with finance experience, what would you do if the First Selectman dropped a 12% increase budget on the Board and said, “You figure it out”?
Q: How can the town increase volunteer participation and turnout for meetings and elections?
Q: Finally, give us your 30-second elevator pitch — why should voters elect you to the Board of Selectmen?