Patch Candidate Profile: Slava Servello, Wilton Board of Finance

WILTON, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Wilton and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Financial controller Slava Servello, 43, is running for election to the Wilton Board of Finance as a Democrat. She holds an MBA in accounting, finance and leadership, change management from the Stern School of Business at New York University. Her husband Richard is a firefighter, and the couple has two children, ages 5 and 7, both attending Miller-Driscoll.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

No

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running to be useful to the town, leveraging my financial background to ensure proper financial oversight for Wilton to achieve its goals. I am committed to ensuring adequate funding for the schools while balancing other needs of Wilton residents.

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

I aim to address critical issues such as school funding and the need for improved town amenities. Collaborating with members of other boards, I will strive to move Wilton forward while effectively managing the tax burden or residents.

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

Drawing on my substantial experience in budgeting and priority management, I will meticulously assess each expenditure presented to the BOF, ensuring it delivers long term value to the town.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Certain members of the present BOF overlooked the school district's ongoing requirement for funding instructional coaches, leading to a substantial reduction in the BOE's budget. Unfortunately, this cut was not able to eliminate the budget line and consequently led to a reduction in services in various other critical areas. I am pursuing this role to guarantee that we preserve the value of our primary asset—the school district—and stay positioned among the top schools in the region.

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

I will collaborate with town leadership to craft a comprehensive strategy for development of Wilton with a primary emphasis on broadening the grand list and alleviating the tax load on Wilton residents.

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

Throughout my professional tenure, I have developed, proposed, and evaluated substantial budgets. I've conducted detailed cost-benefit analyses and advocated for or against expenditures in various commercial sectors to achieve the objectives of the companies I worked for.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Take a moment to appreciate how far you've come, then keep going."

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I'm stepping into this race with a clear purpose — to drive lasting change that will benefit Wilton in the long run. My goal is to safeguard our most precious asset, the schools, while advancing the town's growth. I am deeply invested in Wilton's future, aiming to enhance the quality of life for every resident at the most efficient cost.