The Milford-Orange Times is continuing its election-year tradition of asking the candidates to respond to questions about what they would do for the residents of Milford and Orange if voters elect them. This special section features the responses from the candidates. An asterisk next to a candidate’s name indicates that they are the incumbent. Early voting is underway now. Election Day is Nov. 4.
Question: What do you think are the greatest challenges Orange will face over the next two years, and what specific steps will you take to address them?
Jim Zeoli (R)*
The biggest challenge facing the Town of Orange is remarkably like your own homes, providing services as needed within boundaries. Being able to provide those services requires planning that starts in the fall of the previous year, which then moves to the budget planning process. The budget cannot be calculated with the hope of receiving a grant or aid; it must be calculated on what is, not what may be. The town is in several purchasing groups for items like electricity, oil, gasoline and diesel and office supplies, to name a few. The town continues to bid for contracts and services both independently and by using the State of Connecticut Department of Administrative services. The Town of Orange will continue to use these programs to control purchasing costs.
The town has received grants while I have been in office and continues to find many opportunities to help the town. The Edison Road project, the bridge on Derby-Milford Road at Grassy Hill, the playground at Fred Wolfe Park, the current paving at the library and High Plains Community Center, roadwork on Lambert Road, bulletproof vests for our police officers, the smoke alarm program from the fire marshal’s office, open space purchases, the refurbishment of the senior café at High Plains Community Center. These are just a small part of grant awards that have helped Orange. The Town of Orange has been proactive in searching, applying and receiving grants and will continue to do this. These grants help get projects done without asking for added tax dollars. If you hear that the town does not apply for grants, that comes from those who lack the knowledge to know what the team does on everyone’s behalf.
One of the largest costs for the town is health insurance. This has been recognized, studied and discussed with most labor groups. The town will be offering the employees a health savings account type of insurance, which will save the employee on cost share payment and the Town of Orange versus a traditional plan. This will be optional for each employee, and it will go into effect July 1, 2026.
While some complain about the budget, I urge you to remember that 60+ percent is dedicated to education. This is the largest reason families choose to live in Orange, and I believe that educational costs must be checked, but must be funded to the level needed to keep us as the desirable town we are known to be. Every child deserves to get the education they deserve!
The Town of Orange is extremely fortunate to have the Orange Economic Development Commission to work on our behalf since 1999. The director is in constant contact with town departments to aid new and interested businesses with locating in Orange. The town is the envy of the area by communities that don’t have an economic development office that works as seamlessly as Orange’s. The OEDC office has been representing Orange since First Selectman Robert Sousa formed this in 1999. If you have heard that this doesn’t exist, it is just the lack of knowledge of some. This department has assisted many businesses to choose Orange and continues to fill that role as the town needs.
The Town of Orange under my administration has been fortunate to attract United Illuminating, both corporate headquarters and operations, Aurora Products, Veterans Affairs outpatient services, Noble Gas, Hilton Garden Suites, 7 Brew Coffee, Self Stor-It, FedEx shipping, and Amazon distribution. These are some of the businesses that have come under my administration, and I will continue to work with a possible good fit for Orange. New brick and mortar is new tax dollars, which helps all of us.
To spend money for another economic development department, to spend money on a software system to report a leaky faucet or bump in the road, are just a couple of ideas my opponent has mentioned that increase costs and are unnecessary.
The Town of Orange has certainly changed over its 200 years, but the core values have remained the same.
- A strong school system.
- Beautiful neighborhoods.
- Open space to create an environment where not every piece of land is developed.
- Programs for children and adults alike.
- Convenient transportation.
- Quality emergency services.
- Sensible fiscal management of the town.
- Strong resale value of your home.
These are just a few of the reasons that so many have considered when looking at Orange! Keeping the education system strong is not a new idea, as some would like you to think. I have benefited from the Orange schools and have supported them since long before 2005 when I became your first selectman.
I have and continue to love the Town of Orange today and will fiercely protect your quality of life in the future.
I ask for your support and confidence with your vote.