Profile: Naugatuck Democratic Mayoral Candidate N. Warren "Pete" Hess

By Brian McCready, Naugatuck Patch Editor

There are only two things we know for certain about the current status of the Naugatuck mayoral race.

First, after three terms in office current Mayor Bob Mezzo, a Democrat, will not be running for reelection and second, the Democratic mayoral nominee will be N. Warren “Pete” Hess, a local attorney.

After that things get murky, as there are three Republicans all vying for the party’s nomination including Deputy Mayor, Tamath K. Rossi, local business owner, Seth Bronko, and first-term Burgess Alexander Olbrys.

In an effort to spotlight the upcoming Naugatuck mayoral election, Patch plans a series of interviews with the candidates.

Recently, we spoke with Hess, 66, who operates his own law firm and owns the building at 180 Church Street in the downtown area.

Candidate Hess

Hess, who was born and raised in Naugatuck, graduated Naugatuck High School, and has worked as an attorney in the Borough since 1975, said it’s his love for his community, which is motivating him to run for office.

He said he never thought about running for mayor until this February. After numerous people urged him to run, Hess said he decided he’d be the best person to help architect Naugatuck’s renaissance.

“I love Naugatuck. I’m optimistic about Naugatuck,” Hess said. “We do have an opportunity to implement large-scale development and increase Naugatuck’s grand list and decrease the tax rate.”

Hess said as a resident who owns multiple parcels in town, he is as frustrated as everyone at the Borough’s very high tax rate.

Hess said while he’d always focus on prudent cost-cutting measures, the key to the town’s long-term success is bringing more businesses to Naugatuck.

“The grand list needs to be increased dramatically,” Hess stressed.

Hess said when a family considers moving to Naugatuck right now the belief is 1. the taxes are too high, 2. the school system is not as good as surrounding towns, and 3. there is nothing to do here.

Hess said he has a plan to address all three areas, but notes progress does take time and doesn’t happen overnight.

Hess said it’s short-sided to just think slashing the budget will fix all of the borough’s issues.

“You’ve got to grow the grand list and provide something to do for the citizens,” Hess repeated.

Hess vowed to be a political candidate who will release detailed plans and proposals to jumpstart Naugatuck’s turnaround.

“You can’t just say we’re gonna do this and that. You’ve got to have a plan,” Hess said.

Taxes

“Taxpayers have to understand the only way to achieve significant tax decreases is to significantly increase the grand list and focus on innovative cost-cutting,” Hess said. “There is no magic tax cut. Naugatuck needs a long-term period of growth.”

One of Hess’s top priorities if elected mayor is reviving the long dormant Uniroyal site. He said he’d work with Chemtura officials, who own the land, and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to help get that vital piece of property back to generating significant tax revenue.

“There is room to come up with a plan so all the stakeholders can benefit,” said Hess, while adding an industrial park and possibly a commercial use would make sense for the property.

He said he’d oppose any residential component for the Uniroyal land.

“The best chance to obtain dramatic tax relief is to work with all the stakeholders to get the site cleaned up and aid in redevelopment of the site,” Hess said.

Hess said an area on Prospect Street may also be viable for a new industrial park.

Downtown

Hess said another top priority would be to untangle whatever obstacles remain in the redevelopment of Parcel C downtown.

Saint Mary’s plans to bring doctor offices, an outpatient treatment facility and other care offices to a 25,000-30,000-square-foot medical complex. A sit-down restaurant is expected as part of the development.

“It’s an opportunity to start a fire of enthusiasm in the area,” Hess said. “It’s important to the psychology of the town. It’s been on the table for so long.”

Schools

Hess said he’s served as legal counsel for Region 16 since the 1970s and he’s certain Naugatuck schools can get “much closer” to the perception of those in Beacon Falls, Prospect and Oxford over time.

He said if the perception of the schools improves, it will improve real estate property values.

Hess said new Schools Superintendent Sharon Locke has done a great job and that the “reality is the Naugatuck Public Schools are better than the perception of it.”

“It will continue to improve,” Hess said.

Something to Do

Hess said he hears it all the time, residents say there is nothing to do in town. He said he’d work to bring an entertainment venue into the downtown area.

He said the venue could host performing arts, music, local productions, and show old and newer movies.

“Naugatuck sorely needs an entertainment venue,” Hess said. “I’m going to work to get it.”