Meet our Candidates
Denise Raap
With her proven personal commitment to our town, vast leadership skills, 22 years of local business ownership and a positive vision for our community, Denise Raap is the best candidate to lead Litchfield forward.
Denise earned her B.A. from SCSU in Psychology. Early in her career, Denise worked at the Aetna as a Workers Comp Actuarial Analyst. After her twin daughters, Emily and Stacey, were born in 1992, she and her husband Greg (LHS Class of ’79) moved back to Litchfield where he was raised so that their children could attend Litchfield’s highly rated school system. Denise’s father-in-law, Grover Raap, was a long-time teacher and principal in the Litchfield school system. Her family roots are strong and set in our town.
In 1997, Denise was instrumental in the purchase of the Village Restaurant, negotiating the terms of sale and subsequently encouraging her business partners to purchase that property at 25 West Street, ensuring the future security of the business and vitality of our town’s center. In addition to her restaurant business, Denise has been a Real Estate Agent for the past 10 years. This position has given her a great opportunity to travel to all areas of our town, while gaining insights and sensitivity to the housing needs of everyone who looks to reside in our community.
Denise’s volunteer experience and devotion to town issues include 2 years as Board member of Litchfield Planning and Zoning, a founding member of the Main Street Initiative, Treasurer of Litchfield Community Service Fund for 12 years, 8 years on the Litchfield Recycling Committee, Chair of the Litchfield County Board of Realtors Education Committee and a Member of Union Savings Bank’s Social Advisory Board.
Denise’s common sense approach to reduce wasteful spending and her tireless work ethic will be invaluable in the search to find resolutions to issues and challenges Litchfield has faced in recent years. Denise also plans to employ the use of modern technology and social media resources to stay connected and be accessible to all Litchfield residents. She promises to engage our residents to help shape the path of Litchfield’s future. Together We Make a Difference.
Jeff Zullo
As a 33 year resident of Litchfield and devoted public servant who has served 12 years on the Board of Finance, 8 years on the Board of Selectmen, in addition to serving on and chairing several committees over the past 20 years, Jeff hopes to continue his role as Selectman for the Town of Litchfield.
As an Executive Manager of an international technology company, he brings extensive business management experience to the table, as well as technical knowledge to offer forward-thinking leadership to Litchfield.
Jeff’s goals as a member of the Board of Selectmen are to help sustain the quality of life of our community by balancing the town operating expenses, and address infrastructure needs and public safety with the required taxation and bonding.
Jeff says: “Litchfield is a special place of natural beauty, historic places and interesting and supportive citizens. As we celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the founding of Litchfield and we reflect upon the foresight of the founders and successive generations to establish such a vital and progressive place, we realize that each generation is the custodian of a legacy of community, preservation and stability. In the Land of Steady Habits, Litchfield is one of the steadiest. We memorialize the service of our residents to the founding of our nation and participation in all its trials and tribulations. But most importantly, we recognize the duty we have to sustain what our ancestors have given us – a model of self-government, a peaceful and amicable society, and a respect for our abundant natural resources. The citizens of Litchfield, its public-private foundations, trusts and organizations all contribute to the sustainment of what we hold dear. So, today as we look back on 300 years we also commit to our progeny to leave Litchfield just a little bit better than we found it.”
Anne Dranginis
Anne C. Dranginis, Connecticut Appellate Court Judge (Ret.), focuses on litigation matters involving matrimonial law, corporate compliance and governance, trial strategy, arbitration and mediation, with a particular focus in appellate mediation. She is a member of the firm’s Family Law Practice.
Judge Dranginis retired in January 2006 as an Associate Judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court after serving for more than 21 years on the Superior and Appellate Court bench to become a principal at a Hartford law firm. Judge Dranginis served in all capacities as a trial judge, including serving as Presiding Criminal Judge in Waterbury and Litchfield. From 1990-1994, she was the Administrative Judge in Litchfield. In 1994, she was appointed the Chief Administrative Judge for Family Matters for the Connecticut Superior Court.
Throughout her career, Judge Dranginis has lectured and provided training sessions to professional associations and community organizations on a host of topics including domestic violence, complex issues in law and medicine, legal services for Connecticut’s poor, forensic science, and family law and the rights of children and youth. She is recognized as a leader in the legal community, and has earned numerous professional awards for her accomplishments, most recently receiving a Professional Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award from the Connecticut Law Tribune. She serves in leadership positions of many prestigious organizations and in 2016 was elected to serve as the president of the Hartford County Bar Association.
In addition to currently serving on the Board of Selectmen, she previously served on the Board of Finance, and is involved on the boards of several other community organizations, including the Northwest Center for Performing Arts (Warner Theatre), Prime Time House, the Waterbury Symphony, and Susan B. Anthony Project, to name a few.
Erich Marriott
Erich is a Certified Management Accountant with over 20 years of experience in the credit finance and accounting fields who has spent the past 5 years calling Litchfield home. He currently works as a Controller for a local medical and healthcare marketing and media company. Prior to that, he worked as an independent corporate and credit finance consultant while enjoying working as a stay-at-home dad for three years. His professional background previously was as an analyst covering high yield and investment grade debt issuers. He has worked for some of the largest global banks helping to underwrite credit financing for large international corporations as well as small regional companies looking to grow their business.
He is a New Englander at heart, receiving a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of Vermont and was able to finish his MBA at Fordham University with a concentration in finance.
While having a professional background that melds well with a Board of Finance position, Erich feels fortunate to have been able to interact and work with members of multiple boards in Litchfield to help move this town into the next three hundred years. The Board of Education, Board of Selectmen, Capital Committee and Pension Commission are groups that he has been fortunate enough to work with as a current member of the Board of Finance and have tried to communicate and collaborate to build consensus with those boards. Erich wants to be part of the next generation of Litchfielders to move this town forward.
Erich says: “While Litchfield has so much history and charm that attracts visitors, there is a great sense of community among the residents and it provides a great environment to raise a family and be actively involved in that community. It is why my family moved up here. I am proud of the fact that my two children are the third generation in my extended family to live in Litchfield and attend Litchfield Public Schools. My wife, brother and sister-in-laws along with my father-in-law are all great examples of what this community can achieve. And I’m glad that I am part of it and want to continue to be.”
Jodiann Tenney
A 16 year resident of Litchfield, Jodiann Tenney currently serves as the World Language Coordinator for Region 10 Schools. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from SCSU and has additional experience as an educational consultant and Director of Curriculum and Instruction with strategic planning.
Jodi is running for Board of Finance because she wants to increase communication between the Board of Selectman, Board of Finance, and Board of Education and ensure that we have carefully thought out strategic planning before spending millions of dollars on building renovations, school budgets, and other projects.
Jodi says: “The people here are amazing! I’ve never lived in a place with such a sense of community. Having two children, I value having a high quality educational system. As a working professional and taxpayer, I value carefully thought out spending and want to ensure that we are spending tax payers well-earned money in a responsible way and seeking out new ways to increase our revenue.”
Pat Donovan
Pat has lived in Litchfield for 15 Years. She received her education from Hunter College and New York Institute of Finance. Pat has 30+ years financial services experience with a concentration in compliance & supervision.
Since retiring she has worked with the League of Women Voters of CT focusing on voter education & increasing voter participation. Pat would now like to actively work to ensure better, more inclusive local government.
Pat says: ” I enjoy the rural settings of all our areas, beautiful Bantam Lake (kayaking & camping), hiking at Northfield Dam & the historic Milton Hall. I take part in many of the great educational/entertainment opportunities offered by the Litchfield Community Center & the Oliver Wolcott Library. This is truly a great place to live.”
Matt Blasavage
Coming soon…
Lauren Sage
Lauren Sage has been living in Litchfield for 3 years. She is a retired School Counselor from Regional #10 and also holds an MS in Family & Marriage Counseling. She has prior business experience as a real estate broker and also ran a private counseling practice. She possesses strong organizational and budgeting skills. Additionally she serves as Bantam P&Z Commissioner and has applied for appointment on the Town Hall Review Committee.
Lauren wants to serve as an alternate member on the Board of Finance to impact the issues in a responsible way.
Lauren says: “I moved here because this is the most beautiful part of the state.”
Steve Malo
Steve has spent the last nineteen years residing in Litchfield. He holds a B.A. in English with Education Certification from Johnson State College and a Master of Science in School Counseling from Western Connecticut State University. He currently works as a School Counselor at Thomaston High School. He has spent his entire career as a teacher and counselor in public education.
He has devoted his entire professional life to children and adolescents. Steve been continuously active in school activities, including the following: student council, class advisor, team leader for two grades, NEASC Steering Committee Chair, crisis team, AP Coordinator, Naviance Coordinator, building level attendance team, and the district attendance review board.
Steve says: “Litchfield is a wonderful town and a great place to live. We moved here in 2000 specifically for the school system and town charm, and have grown to adore this community and all the area has to offer. Specifically, I would like to use my lifetime of experience in education to see that each child in Litchfield gets the best education and overall experience that can be offered, while at the same time working amicably and cohesively with all town officials and boards.
Living in Litchfield County for the majority of my life, I’ve grown to love so many wonderful attributes. I love the schools, the small-town charm, the hiking trails, the serenity, and the quintessential New England characteristics of our area. We have amazing people, businesses, restaurants, and events. When I think of our surroundings, I think of tradition, family events on our beautiful town green, our wonderful library, White Memorial, youth sports, and how passionate people are about our wonderful community and how supportive we are of each other’s needs and passions.
My wife, Maura, and I have two children. Molly, who graduated from Litchfield High School in 2019, will be attending Westfield State University and majoring in School Social Work. Colleen, a true animal lover and artist, will be entering grade eight at Litchfield Middle School in the fall of 2019.”
David Foss
David received a bachelor’s degree in History at Davidson College in North Carolina. From there he earned a Master’s in Education from the University of New Haven along with his teaching certification and later a Master’s in US History through the Teaching American History grant from West Conn. He is entering his 20th year of teaching, his 19th at Newtown High School in the Social Studies Department. He has also coached Cross Country and Track at NHS.
David’s many years of teaching experience is very relevant to the BOE position as is the fact that he has three children within the school system. In addition, He also volunteers for all three children in the Litchfield Soccer Club.
David says: “Like many, I witnessed the tough spring budget season during which a second straight year of 0% increase was proposed and during which there seemed to be a degree of dysfunction. I thought I could help the situation and become an advocate for the children of the town. I also have been hoping for increased collaboration between Litchfield and Region 6 and instead of standing on the sidelines, thought I should get involved.
My wife and I fell in love with the beauty and small town atmosphere of Litchfield, Northfield, Milton, and Bantam when we visited and upon finding out about the quality of the school system, we had to come here. In the years of living here, we were immediately welcomed with open arms by a close-knit COMMUNITY. Ever since we have enjoyed the embrace of kind, compassionate people who look out for one another and step up when there is a need.
My wife Julie also works in the education field as a consultant and we have three wonderful daughters, Avery 13, Addie 11, and Charlotte 8. I love sports and reading, and hiking in the numerous trails in the area.”
Tina Reardon
Tina Reardon has lived in Litchfield for 26 years and all three of her children attended and graduated from the Litchfield school system. She previously served on the Litchfield Board of Education for 6 years, from 2003 to 2009.
Tina earned her BA in Asian Studies from Connecticut College (New London, CT) and a MA in Asian History from Georgetown University.
Her professional career includes serving as a political analyst in Southeast Asian affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency in the early-mid 1980s. She then went on to teach history and serve as Director of College Counseling at The Harvey School (a private school, for grades 6-12, in Katonah, NY). She then provided private college advising to clients for many years (Litchfield College Counseling, LLC). For the past 23+ years, she has taught Asian History and Asian American Studies courses at the University of Connecticut. She has long served as a faculty adviser and, in that capacity, assists students with long range academic planning, course scheduling, and much more. She has served on a number of committees including those dealing with student mental health and academic misconduct.
Tina also served as the chair of the Scholarship Committee of the Connecticut Community Foundation (and also served on the CCF Board).
Tina says: “I am committed to supporting and improving the education provided to the children of Litchfield and would like to be helpful in efforts to share resources with Region 6 (including increased coordination/possible consolidation). I believe thoughtful moves in this direction are necessary if we are to maintain and increase opportunities for students in an environment of decreasing enrollment.
Litchfield has been a wonderful place in which to live and to raise our children. The combination of its rich history, beautiful natural setting, and close knit community is something to treasure and to work hard to preserve. I believe that my previous experience on the Board of Education makes me a particularly appropriate candidate for the 2 year term position, as there will be significantly less required in terms of “learning curve” before becoming an effective board member.”
Carol Bramley
A 38 year resident of Litchfield, Carol holds a B.S. in Nursing from Cornell; she was an Army nurse and a Vietnam veteran; she has extensive knowledge of historic property restoration; and works as an Office Manager for a financial services company and works doing part-time retail sales in Litchfield.
Carol has been involved with land use in Litchfield in one capacity or another since 1982. In addition, she has lived in a lot of different types of communities from growing up in a massive post WWII subdivisions on Long Island, to less developed suburban communities in Westchester County, NY, to congested Fairfield County and finally to Litchfield and the more rural Northwest Corner. She appreciates the uniqueness of the small town feel of Litchfield, even with the many differences of opinion strongly expressed from time to time by residents. The differences help us to understand the diversity of Litchfield’s population, a healthy thing for any community in the construction of its land use regulations. Having been actively involved with three of the last four Plans of Conservation and Development and the community input the process included, it seems important Litchfield adjust and move forward to today’s attitudes toward business and residential life while being mindful of Litchfield’s essential character and the qualities that make this town a great place to live.
Carol says: “Litchfield is my home – I’ve lived here much longer than anywhere else. I bring a wealth of experience in land use planning as well as an institutional knowledge of why many of Litchfield’s regulations over the last 35 years were created. I’ve had the experience of seeing what works and what can lead to unforeseen changes. I would like the opportunity to participate in helping Litchfield to continue to grow and expand, while protecting Litchfield’s unique identity among the 169 towns in the State. Having managed State Preservation Office grants for the survey of historic properties throughout the town of Litchfield, a unique knowledge and understanding has been gained related to the special relationship residents have for the particular areas of town they live in. Although there are common threads of interest and concern for Litchfield today and the future, there are special neighborhood concerns as well. I’ve lived in the center of town, on an 18th century farm in East Litchfield and now reside in Milton. I love the community spirit and protectiveness that resides in every resident no matter which village they call home. Both my daughters were raised in Litchfield and graduated from Litchfield High School.”
Abby Conroy
Abby is a lifelong resident of Litchfield. She holds a Masters Degree in Conservation Biology and has been employed as a Land Use Enforcement Official for 3.5 years. She is also a Certified Zoning Enforcement Technician.
She is running for Planning & Zoning to serve her community by contributing her knowledge from working in the industry.
Abby says: “I’m proud to see the final result of redevelopment projects in our community. They are done by local people and provide unique goods and services that extend beyond our region. All of this has been done while tastefully preserving historical buildings and “feel” of our community.”
Bill Conti
William A. Conti attended local schools and received a B.A. from Boston College in 1970 and his Juris Doctor in 1973 from Boston College. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1973, to the Massachusetts Bar in 1974, and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court and the United States Supreme Court. Attorney Conti is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, the Litchfield County Bar Association (Past President), The American Association for Justice, The Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Connecticut Bar Foundation – James W. Fellows Program.
He is a member of numerous local civic and fraternal organizations including, but not limited to, Past President of the Torrington Chapter of UNICO, Past Co-Chairman of the Charter Revision Commission of the City of Torrington, Past Chairman of the Civil Service Commission of Torrington, Past Chairman of the Building and Renovation Committee for the Torrington High School, and Past Chairman of the Litchfield Democratic Town Committee. He is currently an Alternate Member of the Litchfield Planning and Zoning Commission.
Lara Hillman
Lara has been a Litchfield resident since 2013. She lives here with her husband and young son. She holds a Master’s in Art from Christie’s Education, and works as a personal property appraiser. She possesses a keen attention to detail and holds a deep appreciation and respect for the town of Litchfield, its aesthetic, and its history. She feels ready and capable to use her skills to serve the town on the Planning & Zoning board.
Lara says: “Litchfield’s history is mind-boggling to me: I am so impressed that many important people were here in Litchfield when our nation was so new.
I love that this area of our country experiences all four seasons. I love that this region offers lots of outdoor activities. I find it charming and gratifying that people come to this region to experience the area: visiting farms and supporting the products they cultivate, leaf peeping in the fall and enjoying local wines, and some antiques; cycling, camping, boating and swimming at Bantam Lake in the summer; hiking, cross country skiing, or skiing/snowboarding nearby in the winters, and so much more.
And I love the look of the town, including the signs on the houses that list the original owners, which helps to remind people of this area’s significance, and that there is much history to be respected.”
Stephen Simonin
Stephen has lived in Litchfield for over 35 years. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, and a B.S. in Biology pre-med. He has extensive background in Naval Aviation, Space systems, Particle Beam Accelerators, Nuclear Engineer naval reactors / commercial, Telecom video and data, and power systems. He has served the residents of Litchfield for years as a member of the Cable Advisory Board, representing residents in both Hartford and DC to help control costs and be an advocate for the people in telecom issues.
Stephen says: “I listen, learn and do my best to help to get the job done. I spent most of my life in this area and like to help keep it prosperous for our children. Nature is wonderful here with great people bringing something new everyday.”
Rob Lupo
Rob is a former Waterbury police officer and currently the owner of La Molisana Sausage in Waterbury, as well as a commercial property owner. Hes’s lived in Litchfield for 13 years. Rob’s life and work experience give him a balanced vision from both a resident and a business owner’s perspective. He is common-sense solution oriented and a strong consensus builder.
Rob says: “I am running to do my part as a citizen to help maintain the character of our town. I love the small town feel, beautiful natural surroundings, great neighbors here in Litchfield. I’m dependable & resilient and think it’s important to keep things simple. I try to have a laugh as often as possible.”
Rosemarie Greco
Rosemarie has lived in Litchfield for 30 years. She holds a BA in English and an MA and post graduate studies in Theology. She has served as an Adult educator in Spirituality and Theology ( NY, CO, Uganda); Project Manager for goal setting for churches in southern Colorado; and Executive Director (ret.) Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center.
She prides herself on possessing the ability to listen and mediate situations of conflict; she previously served Litchfield as a member of POCAD (Plan of Conservation and Development), as well as the Commission on Aging and Board of Ethics. Since 1992, she served as volunteer interfaith chaplain at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital; she is a past member of LABA (Litchfield Area Business Association) and is a present member of the Litchfield Housing Trust Board, League of Women Voters Board, Litchfield Patriots and the Town’s 300th anniversary committee.
She is running for office to contribute to the spirit of fairness and justice in the town; to work with others to respect the perspectives and concern of our citizens.
Rosemarie says: “What I love about our town is the goodness of the people, our sense of community, our hopes for growth, our desire to communicate with each other, our care for the environment, our care for young people, our deep respect for history and tradition and to build on these with a vision for the future.”