Following the departure of Republican Geoffrey Dent, the Board of Finance has named former BOF Chair Sandy Roussas to fill the vacancy. Roussas was a member of the BOF from 2015 until 2021. She was previously the chair, and was serving as vice-chair during her last term with the BOF.

“I am happy to be joining the Board of Finance again and thank the members for their votes of confidence at Monday’s meeting,” said Roussas. “I look forward to working with them to be good stewards of Newtown taxpayer dollars.”

Roussas is a partner with law firm Stockman, O’Connor, and Connors, and a graduate of the Quinnipiac University School of Law.

She has lived in Newtown for 19 years with her husband, and the couple have two school-aged children.

In a candidate profile for the 2019 election, Roussas wrote that as a Board of Finance member she would “continue to work hard in balancing our community needs, which include maintaining a competitive school system, smart investment in our town, and insulation from state budgetary issues. Newtown needs sustainability to weather the challenges that lay ahead and I pledge to work hard to ensure that the Board of Finance remains a valuable partner with the other governing boards to meet those challenges. I’ve lived in Newtown for the majority of my adult life, and I’ve built my familial foundations here — I am committed to seeing our town thrive and prosper.”

BOF Chairman John Madzula II said that Roussas is “very knowledgeable, experienced, and welcome.” He said Roussas had been chosen “after serious vetting” for a candidate to replace Dent.

“I’m happy [Roussas is] coming back,” said Madzula. “Thank you for stepping up and helping, it means a lot.”

BOF member Chandravir Ahuja said that about a year ago, Roussas was the one who nominated him to fill an open vacancy. He said he appreciated her “mentoring and assistance in the on-boarding process.”

Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.