Robert Hennessey

Nice Party, District 2

Personal Info: Sandy Hook. Territory manager for L. Matthew Miller Associates, distributing broadcast video and teleconferencing equipment. Member PTA, past involvement in my children’s activities coaching Newtown Babe Ruth and Cub Scouts.

What personal qualities do you have that you believe will benefit the Legislative Council? — My organizational, preparation and people skills that have led to a successful business career. I am adept at establishing and maintaining relationships, have excellent management abilities and an attention to detail. I am ethical and also possess a good sense of humor, which, if you have attended Legislative Council meetings as I have, is certainly beneficial.

What will be the council’s biggest challenge in the next two years? — The biggest challenge facing Newtown is developing an actual plan in a timely fashion to attract and maintain the proper economic development conducive to keeping personal property taxes in check, while improving services for the town’s taxpayers.

Do you favor economic development at Fairfield Hills, or should the campus be used solely for municipal purposes? — I believe all Newtown residents should benefit from Fairfield Hills. There are hundreds of acres available, including the recent acquisition of its core. Again, proper, planned economic development where a business could reside in an architecturally pleasing facility at Fairfield Hills, while contributing to the town’s tax base would offset personal property taxes and subsidize some first class recreational facilities for young and old. How about an Olympic-size swimming pool or bowling alley? The town encouraging and supporting business in Newtown could accomplish this. Open space could still be preserved for families to enjoy without compromise.

The proposed changes to the charter may fail on November 6 because of confusion and concern over the need to implement the changes in just 30 days because of a clerical error. Would you be willing to re-appoint a charter revision commission next year to bring these changes before the public again a year from now so that they may be considered solely on their merits? — Yes, I would be willing to reappoint a commission next year. However, the question should also be asked, would volunteers come forward to devote a year of their time to this arduous task only to have it shot down before it ever gets to the polls? I think the Charter Revision’s content is more pertinent than an omission of its effective date.