The beauty of living in a small town like Washington is that your vote and participation can really make a difference. Here are some ways you can participate in Washington’s civic life, as well as the activities and causes promoted by the Washington Democratic Town Committee (WDTC).
You can keep up on local issues by visiting the Town of Washington's website, where you will find meeting schedules and recorded minutes of the Town’s important boards and commissions—such as the Board of Finance, the Zoning Commission, the Inland Wetlands Commission, and the Planning Commission. You can also sign up to receive e-mail alerts about important upcoming Town Meetings and events.
Visit Explore Washington CT for information about Washington, upcoming events, and things to do in the five villages that make up Washington.
You can also read local newspapers such as the Waterbury Republican American and the Hartford Courant, both of which have print and online editions, making access to their information faster and easier. For a more local look at the news, Voices is a print newspaper with an online edition, both of which cover most important town meetings, commission hearings, elections, and other information.
One of the best ways to become an informed voter on local issues is to attend Town Meetings and other public hearings. Washington is among the small number of Connecticut towns that are governed by Town Meetings, where Washington taxpayers form the Town’s legislative body. At these Town Hall meetings, many key issues are debated and voted on, such as adoption of new Town ordinances; amendments to existing ones; and special funding appropriations for items not included in the budget.
Go to the Town’s Web site (www.washingtonct.org) and sign up to receive e-mail alerts about upcoming Town Meetings. Often, momentous Town issues are resolved by a vote of fewer than 100 citizens. Join in and become one of those legislators!
At the Town’s Web site, you can also find the meeting schedules and recorded minutes of the Town’s important boards and commissions—such as the Board of Finance, the Zoning Commission, the Inland Wetlands Commission, and the Planning Commission.
Volunteers—your friends and neighbors—define our Town! They staff our boards and commissions, put out our fires, drive our ambulances, and run our library, land trust, and other non-profit organizations.
There could be a position for you on one of the Town’s boards and commissions, giving you the opportunity to participate constructively in Washington’s governance. When there is an opening on a board or commission, the Washington Democratic Town Committee (WDTC) submits recommendations to the Board of Selectmen for a candidate to be appointed to fill the slot.
If you are interested in learning more about the process of joining a Town Board or Commission, please email us at info@washingtondems.org.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Jim Brinton, First Selectman
Jay Hubelbank*
Dean Sarjeant*
BOARD OF FINANCE
Ashleigh Fernandez, Chairperson
Patrick Horan, Vice Chairperson
Matthew Cain, Member*
Sarah Cornell, Member
Elizabeth Fenton, Member
Joan Hammond, Member
Valerie Andersen, Alternate
Andrew Carron, Alternate
Jillian Kauff, Alternate
ZONING COMMISSION
Mitchell Solomon, Member
Janet Hill, Chair*
Susan Smith, Alternate
Valerie Andersen, Member
Shane Mongar, Alternate
Bill Ferrell, Member
Jennifer Averill
Liddy Adams, Alternate
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Peter Bowman, Chair
Roderick Wyant III, Member
Robert Weber, Member*
Dean Sarjeant, Alternate
Rebecca Perry, Alternate
Catharine Sweeney, Member*
Chip Wildman, Member
Dean Sarjeant, Alternate
Alternate Vacancy
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
Robert G. Weber, Chairman
Ashleigh Fernandez, Member
Karen Silk, Member
*Democrats