Easton Democrats Nominate Candidates For Nov. 7 Municipal Elections

**Submitted by Easton Democratic Town Committee**

July 31, 2023

Chair of the Easton Democratic Town Committee Nanette DeWester today released the slate of Easton Democratic candidates nominated at the DTC party caucus on July 24. All candidates were endorsed unanimously at the caucus for the November 7 municipal elections.

“The expertise, experience and energy on this slate of candidates is truly remarkable,” said DeWester. “When accomplished citizens with credentials like these step forward to run, the whole community wins. They bring not only life experience as physicians, business leaders, teachers, attorneys, librarians, and professionals in their own fields, but also a deep understanding of what makes our town special and a shared dedication to ensuring Easton remains a well-run, welcoming town. They are committed to working for a responsive local government with professional expertise, civility, and compassion.”

At the top of the ticket, First Selectman David Bindelglass was nominated for re-election to a third term. An orthopedic surgeon who served previously on the school board, Bindelglass was elected first selectman in 2019 to lead the first Democrat-led BOS with a Democratic majority on the Easton BOS in 30 years. He was re-elected in 2021 with an historic 55% turnout in Easton.

In their nominating speeches, State Representative Anne Hughes (D- 135) and Debbi Barer both praised Dr. Bindelglass for making it easier for Easton residents to work with the town and cited his strong record of preserving open spaces and farms, providing services to seniors, and his commitment to maintaining Easton’s top-tier schools. Both also praised Bindelglass’s reputation for bringing people together for the good of the town in an era of political divisiveness, as well as for his historic trip to Easton’s Sister City, Sviatohirsk, Ukraine.

Rep. Hughes cited Bindelglass’ strong track record of collaborating with state and federal partners to ensure that Easton receives grant funding, resources, and services for local improvement and preservation projects as well as the critical need for his continued leadership on major initiatives to maintain senior services and construct a new EMS building.

Hughes said: “Dr. Bindelglass has raised the bar on what responsive, accountable and inclusive government looks like and I am so honored to nominate him for a third successful term as our First Selectman!”

Ms. Barer added, “Dave has distinguished himself as a leader willing to work across the aisle to forge consensus so that most Board of Selectmen votes are unanimous. That is rare today. We are all exhausted with the toxic political environment around us and Dave has built bridges. As a result, Easton has been spared the damage to our community reputation that so many other towns have suffered when their local government becomes known for bitter partisan attacks.”

Democrats also nominated Nick D’Addario to run for selectman on the ticket with Bindelglass. Bob Lessler, who will retire from his selectman role after 24 years, nominated D’Addario as his successor, citing his leadership expertise as a CEO with deep roots in the area and his commitment to local community organizations.

“I’m pleased to nominate Nick and I intend to work very hard to make sure he replaces me on the Board of Selectmen. A lawyer by training, he runs a family energy business that has been a fixture in the area for decades. He lives our Democratic values by giving back to his community, as with his work on board of the Child and Family Guidance Center. That’s what it means to dedicate yourself to a community. That’s what we want in our next Democratic selectman. ”

Susanne Smith seconded his nomination. “I've known Nick for a number of years and have witnessed his involvement in organizations in Easton and the greater region. His leadership on nonprofit boards and recently on Easton's Planning and Zoning Commission, shows his commitment, dedication and concerns for the community. His intelligence, compassion, and integrity will serve the people of Easton well, when he is elected, along with Dr Bindelglass, to the Board of Selectmen in November. I think David Bindelglass and Nick D'Addario are the perfect formula to continue moving Easton forward.”

For the Board of Finance, the DTC nominated incumbent chair Art Laske for reelection along with Michael Gutowski, a proud eight-year Easton resident and an accountant in private and public accounting, who has led various companies as CFO, Controller, and Director over the past 3 decades. Michael presently serves on the Board of Finance as an alternate.

Nominating Laske, David Smith said, “Under Art’s leadership the Board of Finance has run more smoothly and effectively than at any time I can remember. As chairman, Art leads the board which has been responsible for equitable budgets which have passed easily. Art's long experience in the workings of town departments shows his understanding of the need to maintain our outstanding schools as well as services like the Senior Center and the Park and Rec Department that make youth sports and after school programs possible. Art's ability to bring this board together is a real demonstration of leadership that benefits everyone in town.”

For the local Easton Board of Education, the DTC endorsed Beth Natt,a pediatrician who also holds a Master of Public Health and MBA from Yale and is the mother of four children in the Easton schools.

For the Region 9 Board, the DTC endorsed incumbent Karen O’Brien for another term, along with Jon Stinson who currently serves on the Easton BOE.
Other candidates endorsed by the DTC to run in the municipal elections:
- Attorney Scott Charmoy for reelection to the Board of Assessment Appeals
- Attorney Leny Wallen-Friedman, a specialist in land-use issues, for Board of Zoning Appeals
- Renee Neiger, a Master of Library and Information Science and professional librarian for library board
- Whendi Cook Broderick for Town Clerk
- Constables, all incumbents for reelection: Irv Silverman, David Katz, and Raymond Martin III