Town Bids Farewell to Assistant Planner

Kristin Havrilla Clarke worked her last day Friday as assistant director of planning and development in Ledyard, a post she had held for four years. This week she will begin her new job as Director of Development and Planning for New London, after being appointed to the position by new city Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio.

Clarke, who was taken out to lunch Friday by her Town Hall colleagues and members of the Planning Commission, said she is no stranger to New London. Between 1999 and 2003 she worked as a consultant for New London Main Street.

A resident of Waterford, she also was an archivist for New London Landmarks from 2003-05. “I’ve spent a decent amount of time in New London,” said Clarke, who is planning soon to relocate to the Whaling City.

“My heart has always been in a more urban environment or smaller downtown area. I’ve always had an interest in small business development and historic preservation,” she said.

A graduate of Fitch High School, Clarke has a bachelor's degree from Roger Williams University and master's degree in urban planning from New York University's Wagner School of Public Service, where, coincidentally, Finizio also studied.

Clarke said working for Ledyard was a good experience. “I learned a lot about how the municipal process works, and also a lot about land use commissions,” she said.

Looking ahead, she said she expects to see good things happen in Ledyard.

“Ledyard has a lot of potential,” she said. “There are a lot of people here who really care about the town.”