Tim O'Neil sworn as Southbury first selectman; outlines safety, senior services and development priorities

Tim O'Neil was sworn in as first selectman of Southbury during the town's oath-giving ceremony. In brief remarks after taking the oath, O'Neil thanked volunteers and supporters and laid out a set of priorities he said he would pursue in office.

The event included an invocation by Rabbi Polokoff and remarks from Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who praised local volunteers and urged residents to work together across party lines. "We're here to celebrate the elected officials and the people that will lead this town," Tong said, calling for unity among neighbors.

O'Neil, who said he lost a previous bid by nearly 600 votes two years ago, told the gathering he aims to tackle several local concerns. "As we begin this journey, I'm committed to addressing the safety concerns of our residents, specifically the state Bridal Path crossing at Route 6 and Route 188, and the persistent speeding on Burma Road," O'Neil said. He also said he would expand senior transportation, keep the senior center open five days a week and add accessible exercise classes.

On emergency services, O'Neil said he intends to work closely with the Southbury Ambulance Association to strengthen the town's response capabilities. He identified affordable housing as a priority and said he would engage state officials about the long-term future of the Southbury Training School property and seek action to address dilapidated homes along Route 172.

O'Neil outlined economic-development options for more than 200 acres the town purchased off Exit 14, identified in his remarks as the Volpe Rosen property. "In my opinion, this is key to building the commercial and industrial grand list," he said, and said he would explore selling or leasing portions of the parcel, including to construction firms or for solar installations, as ways to reduce residents' tax burden.

Earlier in the ceremony Rabbi Polokoff offered a prayer invoking the Biblical phrase "Chazak Ve'emats," urging leaders to be "strong and of good courage." Attorney General William Tong encouraged collaboration and offered a personal admonition for leaders to listen to women's perspectives: "Just do what they tell you to do and you'll be fine," he said.

At the close of the organizational portion of the ceremony, O'Neil moved to appoint Kathy DeCarli as chair pro tem, giving her the same privileges as the first selectman in his absence. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records an "aye" vote and one abstention but does not name individual voters. O'Neil then moved to adjourn, the motion was seconded and the meeting was adjourned.

The ceremony also included the swearing-in of numerous board and commission members: appointments recorded during the event included the Pomp Rock Valley Water Authority, the Inland Wetlands Commission and its alternates, the Zoning Board of Appeals and Zoning Commission members and alternates, Planning Commission members and alternates, the Board of Assessment Appeals, the Board of Finance and a Region 15 representative to the regional board of education.

The new first selectman said he will begin outreach to state officials about the Southbury Training School property and pursue conversations about the Volpe Rosen parcel and other initiatives in the coming weeks.