TomH-ForShelton

This will be an over-explanation on issues related to the budget.  I do this because too often I read comments or posts in the character of "well I heard..." or "so and so said that such and such...."  I provide links to the below factual information where helpful. For those new to Shelton, we have a Board of Alderman (BoA) and Mayor form of government.  The BoA represent "Wards" or sections of the City (we are an incorporated municipality), but they serve the entire residents and businesses when establishing a budget and the mill-rate (tax-rate per $1000 assessed value, which is 70% of market value) of real-property (land, house, office building) as well as personal-property (automobile, business furnishings and equipment). It is ultimately the BoA who would set the budget, a process called out in detail within the City's Charter.  The process begins with the Finance Director requesting each department within Shelton government to submit their appropr...

I received request from the Shelton Herald Editor to submit answers to a candidate questionnaire.  Below are the complete set of their questions and my responses given on FriOct6.  It was later communicated that responses be limited to 200 words, which I had exceeded.  Here is my initial and complete non-excised submission / response.: Work Experience 2013Jan-Present: Farmer, Facilities and Hospitality Manager. 1992Apr-2013Jan: Owner, family-owned Construction Company Political Experience 1998May-Present: Commissioner, Shelton Conservation Commission (25+yrs appointed by Mayor for 2yr terms) 2009Nov: Alternate Commissioner, Shelton Planning & Zoning Commission (elected by voters during General Election) 2006: Member, Shelton Plan Update Advisory Committee (appointed by the Mayor, Alderman, P&Z) Community Experience 2002Jun-Present: Director, Shelton Economic Development Corporation Over the years, I have served as a Deacon, Elder, Trustee and Youth Leader at my ch...

  I received request from the Patch to submit answers to a candidate questionnaire.  Below are the complete set of their questions and my responses. Name: Thomas W. Harbinson Email for campaign purposes: thomas.harbinson+election@gmail.com Phone for campaign purposes: 203-Sir-TomH Website for campaign: https://tomh-forshelton.blogspot.com What town do you live in: Shelton, CT What office are you seeking: Planning & Zoning Board Commissioner If you are running for a district, specify the district: Citywide office, not a statewide district office What is your party affiliation: Democrat Education: Shelton High School 1982 University of New Haven 1987, BS Computer Tech, Minor Industrial Applications. What is your occupation: 2013Jan-Present: Farmer, Facilities and Hospitality Manager 1992Apr-2013Jan: Owner, family-owned Construction Company Tell us about your family: I am the eldest of 3 siblings.  Our parents taught us a sense of community involvement throughout their l...

My family has always taken an interest in their community. My grandfather was a Fire Commissioner in his hometown. My father served on the Shelton Conservation Commission in the 1970s, when the Route 8 and Commerce Drive areas were constructed. I followed their example when I was appointed by the Mayor to serve on the Conservation Commission in 1998, having now served nearly a quarter century over multiple two and three year terms through present day. My current Conservation Commissioner term expires in Aug2024. If elected to the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC), the Charter prohibits a PZC Commissioner from serving in any other elected or appointed position in the City. Thus, if elected I will have to resign from the Conservation Commission. If not elected, I will continue in my role on the Conservation Commission through at least 2024. I have been a PZC Alternate member at one point (when the Charter nuance was discovered and I had to resign), I have been on the PZC Sub-C...