Date: Fri 27-Oct-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

council-election-Pilchard

Full Text:

Council Profiles, Melissa Pilchard

Melissa Pilchard says she's been around a long time, and while she believes

longevity in and of itself is hardly a valid criterion for choosing an elected

representative, she thinks her experience is an asset worth having on the

Legislative Council. She is seeking her ninth term as a Democratic council

member from District 1.

A real estate agent with Newtown Country Realty by profession, Mrs Pilchard

has been active with several civic groups and organizations over the years,

including the League of Women Voters, the Junior Woman's Club, the Business

and Professional Women's Club, various PTAs, the Chamber of Commerce, the

Newtown Summer Festival, and the Democratic Town Committee. She is also vice

president-elect of the Newtown Board of Realtors and a member of the board of

directors of the Connecticut Association of Realtors.

Mrs Pichard has 16 years experience on the council. For the past two years,

she has served as the council's vice chairman.

"I bring a lot of experience to the job," says Mrs Pilchard, adding that more

important than her experience is the seriousness of purpose she brings to her

council duties. I"ve never missed a meeting, and I thoroughly do my homework.

I also don't play party politics."

A supporter of the Booth Library expansion project, Mrs Pilchard says she also

backs plans to renovate and expand school facilities at Hawley School and

Newtown High School. She says, however, that she will reserve judgment on the

financing plans for the school projects until she gets more details from

school officials.

Mrs Pilchard is less enthusiastic about plans to renovate Town Hall South. "I

haven't seen plans for Town Hall South, but my initial reaction is that $1

million is way too much to spend on it."

"There is no question that we're outgrowing our town buildings. Very serious

consideration should be given to a town presence at Fairfield Hills," Mrs

Pilchard says. With regard to Fairfield Hills, she says thinks it would make a

"wonderful educational facility." She notes, however, that from the town's

point of view the most lucrative use of Fairfield Hills would be a coporate

headquarters.