Patch Candidate Profile: Amy Murphy Carroll, New Canaan First Selectman

NEW CANAAN, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in New Canaan and there are plenty of local races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

New Canaan Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Democrat Amy Murphy Carroll, 63, is a New Canaan resident running for first selectman.

Education

Cornell University, B.S, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, MBA.

What is your occupation?

Retired July 7, 2023, Municipal Finance Financial Analyst.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Husband John Carroll. Children: Will, Elle, Madzie, and Mia Carroll, all attended New Canaan Public Schools.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

n/a

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

New Canaan Board of Finance Member since 2014.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

Our town is at an inflection point. The divisive political noise permeating our national politics is seeping into our town. Over the last few years, the current administration has prioritized partisan politics to ensure one party maintains power over virtually all town committees and boards. This has effectively shut out the majority of our residents from the policy-making process. With this lack of inclusion, a lack of transparency has followed. Key issues have not been prioritized, we have left enormous talent on the sidelines, seen a deterioration in civility, and faced unnecessary spending surprises. We’re not red, we’re not blue, we’re ONE New Canaan and I’m running for office to ensure our town government is inclusive, effective, and transparent for ALL New Canaanites.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Developing a plan for two major infrastructure projects that have been unaddressed by the current administration for years: affordable housing and a workable solution to improving cell service are the most pressing issues for our town. Here is what I want to do about it.

The Town must develop a plan to chart our course in meeting affordable and workforce housing demands — otherwise, one will be imposed on New Canaan outside of our control. Blaming Hartford, pointing fingers at developers, and burying the problem in litigation is not a plan. As First Selectwoman, I will start by populating the Affordable Housing Committee to develop an achievable plan with specific goals and benchmarks. In partnership with this committee, we will research how towns are successfully building affordable housing and create a catalog of best practices that will set us up for success in this plan.

To reach and implement a plan for improved cell service, I will empower the newly reconstituted Utilities Commission as it identifies what the actual shortcoming of our current coverage is, using current data, and in complete transparency with residents. On both fronts, full engagement of the community is non-negotiable. We will not kick the can down the road on these issues or get distracted.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My skill set is the deepest and most applicable for First Selectwoman. Not only have I just retired (in July!) from a 30+ year municipal finance career on Wall Street, I’ve already completed nine bipartisan budgets in my nearly 10-year capacity as a Board of Finance member covering all town departments and the Board of Education. With this experience, I bring working relationships with virtually every department head in Town Government and a deep knowledge of our budget and capital plan.

Further, I have a reputation for being apolitical in my work for the town and have never picked party over town — ever. I respect the taxpayer and have an extensive track record of leadership in the town including on multiple building committees, Board of Finance subcommittees, and leading a bipartisan review of all town building assets. My priority is making sure the best people are in a position to work for the benefit of the town, free of a parochial view that any party should dominate our board or committees.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Prioritize fiscal discipline: I will put my demonstrated fiscal leadership to work to ensure the Town faces no more spending surprises. We must establish transparent and detailed protocols for ALL capital projects — starting with a quarterly review of current, in-process, and potential capital projects. As Republican Selectman Nick Wiliams noted, I have a reputation as a “Cost Maven.” I respect our taxpayers.

Open up Town Government to all Citizens: town committees and board leadership are dominated by one party, while 37% of the population identifies as Unaffiliated or other and is therefore grossly underrepresented. This leaves an enormous portion of the town with virtually no voice in our government and is a shameful waste of skills and talent.

Expand daycare options: New Canaan has welcomed a large group of new families over the last couple of years, with many two-career families. Unfortunately, options for daycare are extremely limited within the Town. Let’s set up a task force to see how the town can help facilitate more daycare spots.

Prioritize climate resiliency, prioritize energy efficiency, and infrastructure improvement to address climate challenges.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Demonstrated leadership on the Board of Finance, particularly on building and capital needs, and a willingness to ask the hard budget questions, require the numbers and details, and demand that the public is given the information. Development of Board of Finance Debt Guidelines, Leadership as Co-Chair and author of our Buildings Evaluation and Use Study.

Deep and current professional expertise in municipal finance, including responsibility, through July of 2023 of analyzing the financial position of 168 towns in Connecticut (recused for New Canaan), all the major Connecticut State issuers, and thousands of municipalities across the country. Of note, in my capacity, I internally upgraded Connecticut's Credit Rating ahead of the rating agencies.

Demonstrated bipartisan leadership: In the multitude of town committees and task forces I have been involved in my 27 years in New Canaan, including both the Saxe and Police Department Building committees, I have a track record of working collaboratively with all members, focusing on achieving results for the town, with no regard to political affiliation.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Wake up every morning and try to make the world a little bit better.