Every Tuesday leading up to the election on Nov. 4, GOOD Morning Wilton publishes endorsements of candidates made by public officials, civic organizations, interest groups or recognizable individuals. This information has been compiled from press releases and other information submitted to GMW by the campaigns or entities making the endorsement. These are not endorsements from GOOD Morning Wilton; GMW does not make any candidate endorsements. This is the last week of endorsements before the election. Please click HERE to read our election coverage guidelines, policies and requirements about Endorsements.
Former First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice Endorses Kim Healy, Kari Roberts and Matt Raimondi For the Board of Finance
There are three open seats on the Board of Finance (BOF). Candidates Kim Healy (R), Kari Roberts (D) and Matt Raimondi (R) are unquestionably the best candidates for election. Each possess critical attributes currently needed in a BOF member. Having served for seven years on the BOF and eight years as first selectwoman, I believe I am qualified to make that assessment.
The town’s Charter details the responsibilities of the BOF:
- Review Board of Selectmen– and Board of Education-submitted budgets and analyze to determine if there are savings
- Propose a budget and mil rate to the Annual Town Meeting
- Provide an opinion on BOS-proposed bonding requests
- Address excess bonded funds, when applicable
- Engage an audit firm to perform the town’s annual audit
What attributes are currently needed in a BOF member?
- Relevant and unique professional experience
- Strong work ethic
- Probing questioner/researcher
- Fact-based decision maker
Professionally, Kim Healy is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). As an accountant/auditor she understands budgets and financial controls. She knows why a strong system of internal controls is essential to safeguarding town assets and taxpayer dollars. Kim would be the only CPA on the board. She also is best qualified to guide the BOF in selecting the CPA firm to perform the annual audit.
Professionally, Kari Roberts arranged the issuance of mortgage backed securities at a major investment firm. She regularly obtained bond ratings from Moody’s and other rating agencies. Kari is more than qualified to develop our long-term debt plan/strategy and provide insight on maintaining our Moody’s Aaa bond rating.
Professionally, Matt Raimondi invests in businesses and helps guide their growth. He regularly analyzes operating budgets, financial results and debt. Residents know the outstanding job he has done during his current four-year term on the BOF, including the last two years as a highly-effective, transparent and responsive board chair.
All three have a strong work ethic. They roll up their sleeves and, with passion, invest significant hours well beyond just the board meetings.
In their current elected roles, Kim and Matt are the members asking the probing questions, digging deeper and bringing forward researched concerns. Both with the campaign and other boards, Kari demonstrated she researches, questions and considers alternative approaches.
In a time when decisions have been made with wrong or incomplete information, Kim, Kari and Matt have proven you can count of them to get the facts and make decisions based on those facts.
We need the strongest and the best BOF members. Please vote for Kim, Kari and Matt.
Thank you,
Lynne Vanderslice
Former Wilton First Selectwoman (2015-2023)
BOS Member Ross Tartell Endorses Rich McCarty and David Tatkow for Selectmen
Anyone who has read the news or watched a Wilton Board of Selectmen meeting knows that the board could be a lot more effective. I know, because I am a member of the board. Richard (Rich) McCarty and David Tatkow have the knowledge, skills and temperament to simultaneously understand Wilton’s strengths and problems, and then have the capacity to collaborate when making the very tough decisions required to take our town into the future.
Rich McCarty has lived in Wilton for over 30 years and his three children attended Wilton’s schools. He has a long history of community service: a fire commissioner, a member of the Board of Assessment Appeals, and a Red Cross volunteer. Rich has listened to his neighbors’ concerns about how Wilton spends tax dollars. He has heard Wiltonians say our local government feels distant, unresponsive or slow to act. Rich believes it is possible and necessary for our leaders to be accessible, transparent and accountable. His experience as a corporate general counsel enables him to bring a critical legal perspective to the significant projects the town will have to address, such as Ambler Farm and the building projects that will need to be bonded for an estimated $150 million. His business and community background demonstrate his capacity to respectfully work in a bipartisan Wilton-focused way while resolving tough issues.
David Tatkow has lived in Wilton for over a decade. His children are currently in the Wilton school system. David is very active in our community: he currently serves on the Wilton Library Board of Trustees, and on weekends you can usually find him cheering for his kids on a local ball field. He has the ability to shape a vision of thoughtful growth so that Wilton can be a town where residents can find recreational, entertainment and dining options without leaving our borders, and a town that visitors view as a true destination. David’s career experience as an investment consultant to institutional investors on portfolio construction, financial instruments and risk assessments gives him the strategic skill set needed to address the estimated $150 million in bonding for our school and municipal buildings. And his community involvement gives him the understanding of how vital it is to grow our town and yet keep its rural feel. David has the background the Board of Selectmen requires to make the hard choices necessary as fiscal stewards of our tax dollars, and still invest in Wilton’s future.
Rich McCarty and David Tatkow together will build a Board of Selectmen that’s collaborative, effective and focused on Wilton’s future. Vote for Rich McCarty and David Tatkow on Nov. 4.
Ross Tartell
Wilton Selectman
BOE Member Lori Bufano Supports Matt Raimondi for Board of Finance
As a long time Wilton resident and graduate of Wilton High School, I’ve always believed that our town works best when its leaders work together. That is why I have appreciated serving alongside Board of Finance Chair Matt Raimondi. Matt and I are both Wilton natives who care deeply about this community — and that shared perspective shows in how he leads.
When Matt became chair of the Board of Finance, the relationship between BOF and the Board of Education was strained. Communication and collaboration were minimal. Matt changed that. From the start, he made partnership a priority — listening, engaging and treating our work together as a team effort.
Today, that dynamic is completely different. The tone has shifted from cautious to constructive. Matt deserves a lot of credit for that. He approaches every discussion — even the tough ones — with respect and steadiness. He’s clear, fair and focused on problem-solving, not politics.
When budget adjustments are needed, Matt doesn’t impose decisions from the top down. He brings people into the process, talks through the tradeoffs, and finds solutions that make sense for everyone involved. The result is a process that’s disciplined but also genuinely collaborative — and that’s a big reason the boards work so well together now.
Matt’s leadership and critical thinking has made Wilton stronger. He brings real financial discipline, but he pairs it with common sense and empathy. He understands that education is not just a cost to manage, but an investment in the town’s future. Under his leadership, the Board of Finance has become a true partner to the Board of Education — and that partnership has made our budgeting process more transparent, balanced and sustainable.
I see in Matt the kind of leadership that honors the town we both grew up in: integrity, accountability and commitment to community. He listens to people, values collaboration and always keeps Wilton’s long-term interests front and center.
I’m proud to serve alongside Matt and proud to support him for re-election. He’s restored trust, rebuilt teamwork and helped put Wilton back on a cooperative path — one that’s good for our schools, our taxpayers and our future.
Lori Bufano
Board of Education Member
Second Selectman Josh Cole: “The Most Qualified for BOF and BOS are Matt Raimondi, Kim Healy and Andy Warren”
This election cycle there are many candidates, but a few stand out with the strongest qualifications for the positions they seek. In the crowd, Matt Raimondi, Kim Healy and Andy Warren stand apart as highly qualified for the positions they seek.
Wilton is very lucky to have the exceptionally skilled Matt Raimondi, a finance professional, as chair of our Board of Finance. Matt’s financial knowledge and experience has been on full display as he works to keep taxes reasonable. He’s identified issues in the Town’s Finance Department, questioned unreasonable budget requests, and done financial reviews and breakdowns so residents can be confident in budget votes. Matt will continue to ensure budgets make sense and are feasible and reasonable.
Selectwoman Kim Healy has been a stalwart advocate for financial monitoring in Wilton. A former auditor herself, and already working with members of the Board of Finance on the review of financial issues raised in the last audit, Kim is the most qualified choice to join Matt Raimondi on the BOF this election cycle.
Kim Healy’s departure from the Board of Selectmen will leave a gap in financial accounting expertise on the BOS. As the BOS works to correct issues in the Town’s Finance Department, we will need an ally with a strong financial accounting background to make sure that all issues are properly addressed and fixed for the long term. Andy Warren has the strong background in auditing and financial accounting necessary to properly address these issues. Andy Warren is the most qualified choice to take Kim’s seat on the BOS.
These candidates stand out in a sea of others as the most qualified for their respective positions. You wouldn’t hire a chef to landscape your house, so be sure you vote for the most qualified financial experts to allocate and distribute your tax dollars.
Joshua Cole
Wilton Second Selectman
State Rep Savet Constantine Supports Democratic Candidates for Planning and Zoning Commission
This year I’m supporting Michelle Saglimbene, Trevor Huffard, Jessica Rainey, Ken Hoffman and Margit Ritz for Wilton’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) because they will provide steady leadership, clear opportunities for public input, and more transparency.
Over the last two years, major proposals advanced while residents wondered how they could have input. Many residents felt sidelined by the process rather than engaged by it. And looking to the next two years, it will be the new P&Z members who will shepherd Wilton’s Plan of Conservation and Development — this Democratic team will be diligent stewards of the process and be accountable to you.
Development has led to reasonable questions about traffic, sewer capacity, height/massing and how many units are truly affordable, all of which deserve clear, plain-English analysis and community discussion. By inviting the public to discuss development of the town overall, with the main boards in the town, at various times of the year, we can bring together the creativity and expertise of both residents and board members alike and ensure everyone is together on the vision as Wilton moves forward.
We need Democratic leadership so P&Z will: hold scheduled community sessions; clearly outline issues to the public on each major application; and maintain a running dashboard of total units approved, project status, and percent affordable — so everyone can see the “why,” not just the “what.”
For a Planning and Zoning Commission that plans with residents, vote Row A for Saglimbene, Huffard, Rainey, Hoffman and Ritz.
Savet Constantine
42nd District State Representative