Denise Raap, First Selectman
Denise has lived most of her life in CT and has worked and lived in Litchfield for over 25 years. She has served for four years as Litchfield’s First Selectwoman and hopes to “keep the good going” for another two years. An active community volunteer, she’s dedicated her time to organizations that support the people and resources in our town. Denise served as the treasurer for the Litchfield Community Service Fund for twelve years, a local non-profit that’s helped hundreds of our neighbors facing financial hardship. She served as the Chairman of the Education Committee of Litchfield County Board of Realtors and served on the Advisory Board of Union Savings Bank. Denise also served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for two years.
After graduation from Southern CT State University (’85), Denise worked at an advertising and accounting firm and later accepted a position as an actuarial analyst at Aetna Insurance Company. In 1992, Denise and her husband Greg, LHS Class of ’79, welcomed twin daughters, Emily and Stacey. Denise dedicated the next five years to raising their daughters.
In 1997, Denise and Greg, along with their good friends David and Thea Vigeant, purchased the Village Restaurant to protect and preserve a town landmark that had suffered through uncertainty and financial hardships. Now, 26 years later, the Village is a thriving local establishment due to the dedication of the owners and their exceptional long-term staff.
In 2017, Denise won a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. In 2019, after spending two years analyzing town government, volunteering on and attending town board and committee meetings, Denise was elected as First Selectman for the Town of Litchfield. Her decision to run was based on giving back to the town that had provided her and her family with so much. As a fiscal conservative, she dedicated her time to finding ways to save the taxpayers
money while continuing and enhancing the quality of town services.
One of Denise’s strengths is her ability to connect with people and with her expansive network she has been able to accomplish several initiatives. Denise has dedicated the last four years to fostering community building events; honoring veterans and first responders; and creating the Broadband Committee, Facility Review Committee, the Litchfield Arts Council, the Litchfield SMART Task Force and the Community Safety Traffic Advisory Group. Denise has also expanded the Community Emergency Response Team; introduced credit card and online permit processing; supported the creation of a Litchfield Food Pantry; brought the Municipal Bus back in-house for our Seniors and Disabled; re-established July 4th Fireworks; and has supported the protection of our natural resources like Bantam Lake, the Greenway and the Litchfield Land Trust.
When not working, Denise enjoys spending time with her family and especially her two grandchildren, Henry and Delilah, and looks forward to the arrival of a new granddaughter expected December 2023. Denise also enjoys walking the trails of Topsmead and White Memorial with her rescue dog Tucker and spending time with friends. Denise looks forward to further serving the Town of Litchfield in her third term and believes her experience, dedication and work ethic is what is needed in this position to face the challenges that lie ahead. Let’s Keep the Good Going.