Kathleen Kelly Zabel

The past four years have been filled with challenges, memorable moments and a constant drive to do the best for the citizens of Burlington.
My first two years as a Selectman gave me a solid base on which to expand once elected to the position of First Selectman. Every day gives me the chance to help individual citizens with a wide variety of issues. Also, with each new day, I am able to work in concert with our State’s various departments and legislators to improve our infrastructure as well as consult with organizations such as the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and the Council of Small Towns to keep abreast of grants and issues that could affect our town.
Each grant we have received adds to not only the beauty and safety of Burlington, but assures that we will have a future economic atmosphere of controlled commercial growth to alleviate the tax burden for our residents.
Burlington is a unique and giving community. We rely on our volunteers for help with our children, our senior citizens and our businesses. It has been my priority to assist all these groups in many ways. The Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts, Little League, American Legion, Burlington Junior Soccer Association, and a feeder program for football are among the great activities that produce well-rounded and focused young men and women, overseen by volunteers who give countless hours. We also owe a great deal of thanks to our firefighters and EMS team, who represent the boldest and brightest in their volunteer dedication to our safety.
The challenges I face in this time of economic crisis center on finding a fiscally responsible way to give the community the things necessary to allow for its growth. As our range of sports increases, I realize we must look to the future and plan for more dedicated space for our system of fields. As First Selectman, it is a task I take to heart and have begun the process outlined by the Parks and Recreation Department’s 10 year plan. I am also faced with two aging firehouses that need replacement in order to be able to house the newest generation of fire trucks and rescue vehicles. To that end, we have a Building Committee of volunteers whose goal is to find the land needed to secure the future of our public safety. My conversations with both of these entities keep the lines of communication open in order that I may help them in every way possible.
Since taking office in January of 2008, I have won almost a million dollars in grants for Burlington. These include Small Town Economic Assistance Project grants resulting in, among other things, the acquiring of a “green technology” waste oil tank to heat the bays at our Highway Garage and an LED sign for Town Hall to give residents information regarding town events and meetings; a Congressional grant, through working with Congressman Chris Murphy, assuring our Library $48,000 of programming money to serve everyone from children to adults; and an Office of Policy and Management grant that has provided our town a beautiful Town Green that is truly the heart of our community. Our town has also been the recipient of Stimulus funds. I pushed hard to get $479,000 to work with DOT to finish our section of Rails to Trails, a project that will take off this spring and provide everyone with a peaceful place to walk or jog along the Farmington River. I have acquired these grants but they belong to you, and it was truly my pleasure to be able to make these things happen.
It has not been an easy two years due to our national economy and State budget deficit. Having the assistance of our local legislators has allowed me to accomplish so much. I’ve made many trips to our State Capitol for informational meetings and to testify on many subjects integral to the good of Burlington.
Many hours went into assuring a Probate Court system comfortable in size for those in need of caring assistance. I also submitted testimony to the Legislature to make sure we retain our Senior Citizens van, and ensure we have a fiscally responsible Resident Trooper Program.
When Region #10 was faced with the possible loss of our School Resource Officer, I attended a meeting at the State Capitol with the Superintendent of Region #10, Harwinton’s First Selectman, and the Chairman of the Board of Education. We spoke with the Governor’s staff and ultimately, through persistence by all involved, kept our children under the mentoring and watchful eye of Officer Burke.
These are just some of the causes I have championed for you, because you are my first and only priority.
It all comes back to the tremendous job of our volunteers and committed staff. Our boards and commissions work tirelessly to keep our town a lovely, rural place in which to live. I also have the highest regard for our town staff, which provide you with answers and the guidance needed to obtain information you request. We work together to give you the highest standard of excellence and service.
We touch everyone’s lives, providing a Food and Fuel Bank to help those in financial peril. From our Town Clerk to the Highway crew, we work as a team, dedicated to our town and its people.
Since taking office, I have instituted the effective use of staff meetings, in order to create a sense of commonality of purpose: that of serving our townspeople in the best manner possible.
I have kept Town Hall offices open one evening a week for your convenience. We all work for you, the residents and taxpayers.
It is a job not taken lightly but with the highest respect for making Burlington the best place in which to live and work.

Kathleen Kelly Zabel