Antonio Named Second-In-Command In Simsbury: First Selectman

Town of Simsbury

SIMSBURY, CT — There's no change at the top of Simsbury's elected leadership, but there's a new number two in town.

Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis this week announced she has appointed Democratic Selectman Steven Antonio as deputy first selectman following the town’s swearing-in ceremony Monday.

He replaces Amber Abbuhl, a Democrat who opted not to run for re-election to the board. Antonio was the leading vote-getter among the candidates for the board of selectmen during last month's municipal elections.

“I feel Steve is a great choice as deputy first selectman. He brings experience from town boards and commissions, is a local business owner, and grew up in town” said Mackstutis, a Democrat who won re-election Nov. 7.

“We both believe in government transparency, a collaborative spirit, and a desire to do what’s best for the people of Simsbury. I‘m looking forward to working with Steve, incumbent Heather Goetz and our new board members Kevin Beal, Curtis Looney, and Diana Yeisley. It should be a great team, working together for our community.”

Antonio is a life-long Simsbury resident and local business owner.

He graduated from Simsbury High School in 1981 and received a bachelor’s degree from Bryant University in 1985.

Antonio returned to Simsbury and took over his family’s eatery, Antonio’s Restaurant in 1987, an iconic restaurant in Simsbury.

He added the Sports Bar, Hoops N’ Hops in 1993 and branched into commercial and residential real estate in the 2000s.

Antonio has served on many boards and commissions over the years, being a strong advocate for the residents and business community in our town.

This includes being elected to the zoning board of appeals and design and review board, where he served as chairman of both boards for many years.

Antonio was also a member of the Simsbury Fair Housing Commission, the Simsbury Building Code Board of Appeals, and a board member of the Simsbury Main Street Partnership.

He lives in Simsbury with his wife Lisa, children Katherine, Thomas and John Antonio as well as 13 sheep, two dogs and "some mice in the barn he’s been meaning to evict," wrote the town.

Simsbury's town charter grants the town's first selectman with appointment powers for the second-in-command.

The deputy first selectman serves as interim first selectman in the event of the first selectman's temporary absence or disability.

From Nov. 8: 'Simsbury Election Results 2023: Democrats Keep Control Of Selectmen'