Official Announcement...

I am announcing my intent to run for Fire Commissioner of the Thompsonville Fire Department.

My name is Colleen Ann Reidy. I am married and the mother of three sons and have lived in the Thompsonville Fire District for over 20 years.

For the last 13 years, I have supported the Enfield community by serving on town committees. I was a Chairman of the Beautification Committee and a member of the Enfield Revitalization Committee. Currently, I am an Alternate Commissioner for the Enfield Historic District. I have been employed by the Town of Enfield for the last 12 years and I am Vice President of the local union. My background is in accounting, banking and sales.

As a member of the Green Party, I believe in the principle of grassroots democracy, where the taxpayer fully participates in the government process. The Green Party encourages taxpayer participation in the process to ensure that public officials are held accountable to the people who elect them. The Green Party also works to expand the participatory process by encouraging the creation of political organizations such as the Concerned Taxpayers of the Thompsonville Fire District (CTTFD). I see my  membership in CTTFD as an extension of the principle of grassroots democracy.

As a member of CTTFD, I have spent countless hours over the last year advocating to get the vote back for the TFD taxpayers. During the last year, we have experienced some setbacks, but we have also experienced some success. Recently, through our grassroots efforts, we were able to petition the Connecticut legislature, where the TFD taxpayers will be ensured that a 35 year tradition of voting on the annual budget, will continue. As a result of our efforts, HB-5541 was introduced and is currently working its way through the legislative process. I will not stop fighting until we have our vote back as a district.

With all the confusion of the last year now more than ever it is clear we are in need of bylaws. We need an actual seated Bylaw Committee. The bylaws should include a process to restrict the free-flowing movement of funds in the budget from one line item to another. No funds should ever be transferred without the allocation first being discussed at a meeting that includes public participation along with a favorable majority vote of the Commission. The days of the Thompsonville Fire District having an open checkbook needs to end.

We need a plan for the future as a fire district. The district has been running year-to-year without a plan for 175 years. What are the district’s needs in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years? These things need to be discussed and planned. This can best be accomplished  through a committee comprised of Commissioners, taxpayers and fire personnel.

With a town budget of around $12 million dollars for five fire districts, where a portion of our personnel are volunteer, we are overpaying for our current services. It is time to look into consolidation of these five districts.

As a Commissioner, I will do my part to create committees that will include Commissioners, taxpayers and fire personnel. We are all in this together and we should be making the decisions for our future as a district together. As a Commissioner I will listen, both to the taxpayers, as well as to the fire personnel. The current status of an unresponsive commission must end.

To a positive future,
Colleen Ann Reidy