Wilton Election: Christopher Pagliaro For P&Z Commission

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

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Republican Christopher Pagliaro, 57, is running for Planning & Zoning Commission in Wilton.

Occupation: Architect

Family: Dorothy (wife) Alex (son - age 26) Madeleine (daughter - age 22)

Experience: Planning & Zoning Commission (incumbent)

Family in government: No

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

Wiltonians spoke clearly to the commission during the POCD process: we need diversity in housing, improved public amenities, an understanding about what Wilton will be over the next several decades. We must find ways to improve local businesses and restaurants to allow them to thrive, which, in turn, improves the quality of life in town, thus making the town more desirable for people to come and business to open. To do so we must understand how to unlock development of under-performing properties while maintaining the bucolic nature of the community that we all love. Improving the value of living in town while making Wilton the best Wilton possible. As an architect, I understand that the only way to accomplish all of this is to start with understanding zoning regulation and how our antiquated approach to development must be improved, and but all while maintaining what Wilton has been and should be.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

There are differences, but I don’t believe that they are “critical differences”. Although I believe that having two architects on the commission has provided high level insight into the zoning and development challenges Wilton has, in my four years as a commissioner I believe that the diversity of professional backgrounds has benefitted the process and the community. Lawyers, real estate professionals, members who have lived in Wilton since childhood – I believe that we have gelled as a commission because of its diversity. Frankly, there has never been a political agenda because we all share the desire for the common good of the town, and through the application and deliberation process, and we usually are aligned when the time comes to vote on an application.

Accomplishments:

Being an incumbent who was a strong and vocal part of the most forward-thinking POCD is the town’s history is something I am very proud of. I have also been one of the spearheads of the master planning of Wilton Center that is about to be undertaken. Prior to my position on PZC, I served on the Council on Public Facilities and the Building Inspector’s Board of Appeals. While on Council on Public Facilities, I took over the planning and development of the Veteran’s stadium team rooms and concession building, and finishing the project on budget and several months ahead of the original planning schedule.

Other issues:

The POCD recommended several master planning efforts, such as Wilton Center, Cannondale, and Georgetown. We took in a lot of information during the POCD process, from joint meetings with other commissions, public surveys, and numerous interactive public meetings. That information was heard, absorbed, and now needs to be implemented through that experience and knowledge. I want to be a part of the process going forward, and thus finishing what was started.