BEACON FALLS — First Selectman Christopher Bielik will once again lead the Democratic ticket into the November election.
On Tuesday, the Democratic Town Committee endorsed Bielik for a third term as first selectman.
“We have done a lot of good things around this town in the last four years. I am proud of the accomplishments that we’ve done, such as fixing the roads,” Bielik said.
Bielik, 56, was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2011 and worked alongside then-First Selectman Gerard Smith. Bielik unseated Smith in 2013 and ran unopposed in 2015.
Bielik said the town’s financial future may be difficult with the budget problems facing the state. He said he is the best person to help steer the town through tough times.
“These are difficult economic times. Things are not easy for us here at the local level because of all the uncertainty at the state level. That’s just a fact of life. But what I think I have learned already is how to prepare us for uncertain times like that. We are in the best financial shape this town has ever been in,” Bielik said.
The committee endorsed incumbent Selectman Peter Betkoski, who is also chair of the Democratic Town Committee, for a run at a third term on the Board of Selectmen.
Betkoski said he comes from a family of dedicated public servants, including his sister and former first selectman, Susan Cable, and he plans to continue to work to serve the town.
“I hate the expression ‘thankless job.’ This is an honorable job. … I am proud to be selectman because I am responsible for all you people,” Betkoski said. “I wholeheartedly thank you for the endorsement and I am going to do the best job I can for you.”
The committee endorsed Jim Huk and Eric Dey for the two available seats from Beacon Falls on the Region 16 Board of Education, which oversees schools in Beacon Falls and Prospect. Huk is a current member and past-chairman of the Board of Finance. Dey is currently the chairman of the Board of Library Trustees.
Sheryl Feducia, who is chairman of the school board and has served on the board for 18 years, decided not to run for re-election.
The committee didn’t endorse a candidate for town clerk. A candidate would now have to petition to get on the ballot to run against incumbent Republican Len Greene Sr.
The committee also endorsed the following candidates for office: Donna Taylor and Stacey Betkoski for Board of Library Trustees; Carl Gandarillis and Li Xing for Zoning Board of Appeals; Feducia for Board of Assessment Appeals; Tom Pratt for Board of Finance; Maryann Holloway for tax collector; Wendy Rodorigo for treasurer.
“This is the best slate for the town of Beacon Falls, and we are very, very happy with the qualifications they have,” Betkoski said.
