Wilton Election 2021 Profile: Rich Santosky

WILTON, CT — The state Municipal Election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Republican Rich Santosky, 50, is running for Wilton Board of Finance in Wilton.

Occupation: President/principal, Nyc - Construction/real-estate Firm

Family:Kim (Wife); Jack, 15 (Son); Grant, 14 (Son); Troy, 11 (Son); Grace, 9 (Daughter)

Experience: Trustee - State University of New York

Family in government: No

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

First, it is fundamental that Wilton residents get value for their tax dollars. Expenses need to be based on sound need, be a solid return on the investment and always be in the best interest of the tax payers. Additionally, Wilton’s schools are its greatest asset. It is our terrific school system that draws most families to move to Wilton. Supporting the Board of Education in maintaining or even elevating educational outcomes is highly important. Quality schools increase housing demand, which increases the grand list which helps keep the mil rate low. With that, and good schools are good for Wilton’s financial health.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

Our slate of candidates, who I have gotten to know quite well in the past several months, consists of all very highly accomplished individuals. Stewart Koenigsberg served as the Chief Financial Officer for several GE Capital divisions as well as the Head of GE Capital Financial Planning & Analysis as well as Strategic Planning, and was the Global leader for GE Capital Markets. Monty Du is the Principal and Director of a major engineering firm with offices spanning the country and Matt Raimondi is a Wilton Native who works in Private Equity Investment, serving on several company boards. While I am the Owner/President of a major NYC Construction/Development Firm which is responsible for creating and maintaining budgets many times the value of Wilton’s total annual budget and have, over the course my career, overseen several billion dollars of private and public sector investments what I offer goes beyond understanding general ledger entries, capital expense budgeting and mil rate calculations. What distinguishes me from the other candidates is how I got started and what I learned in these early years. Before entering the business world I gained a wealth of boots on the ground experience allowing me to understand the operational needs of many of the Towns’ various departments which is critical to opining on the appropriateness of their specific requests and proposed budgets. These experiences include joining my local volunteer fire department 35 years ago and serving as the department Captain and President during which time we procured a multitude of equipment to conform with OSHA requirements including two new fire trucks, working my way through college as a paid EMT and part-time Water/Sewer Treatment Plant Operator (while studying Civil and Environmental Engineering), enlisting in the Army as an Infantryman who eventually was commissioned as an officer and Commanded two companies including an Engineering Company. During that time I was also assigned to civilian Sheriff’s Department where I supported the Narcotics Division under the Army Counter Drug Taskforce. As an engineer I have been responsible for building roads, infrastructure & other public works projects just like we have in Wilton and I understand the requirements of collective bargaining agreements (union contracts). After the Attacks of 9/11, I was called upon by the City of New York to assist in the management of the response. While on-site nearly 24/7 for fourteen months, I established protocols, managed budget forecasts and accounting processes, as well as the overall cost control management for all contractor & consultant operations providing daily updates to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and ultimately Congress, which funded the effort under the Stafford Act. This was the largest time and material project ever funded by the US Government. I also served two terms as a SUNY College Trustee. Having been engaged in educational oversight, Fire & Police Service, Public Works/Infrastructure - the departments that make-up the bulk of the Town’s budget - I believe that I am uniquely qualified to roll up my sleeves with actual, hands-on, and working experience to evaluate the financial needs of these groups.

Accomplishments:

The sum of my experiences in the past four plus decades, which are far too many to list, well position me to be one of six members of the Wilton Board of Finance. When I received a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University I became the first in my family to earn a four year degree. Today, I partner with government leaders at the highest levels including local members of the U.S. Congress, prestigious financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs and Blackrock, local economic development authorities was well as community groups to develop, enhance and grow underserved communities through economic stimulus which mainly consists of quality, and affordable housing. It has been very rewarding to see how my contribution to these efforts have changed communities for the better.

Other issues:

In speaking with hundreds of residents and in light of the current condition of our turf fields I believe that most folks in Wilton think our athletic facilities are greatly lacking. Understanding the importance of keeping taxes in check and while we can’t have everything we want and I do believe that we can accomplish and have almost anything we want here in Wilton. To this end I look forward to organizing the various sports constituencies in town in an effort to pool resources and partner with the town government to set and achieve some progress toward bettering our towns amenities.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

With my varied experiences I have become effective, non-partisan collaborator with the highest commitment to ethics. My wife, Kim, and I are the parents of four children who attend school in Wilton and I advocate for investment in our schools, not only as an educational provider but also as a major contributor to our real estate values. With my experience in real estate development, I understand the need for Wilton to responsibly grow its tax base, and increasing revenues at or above the rate of inflation in order to not increase taxes.