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10/07/2015 09:00 AMDemocrat Carol Conklin is seeking to be elected as a town selectman. Currently, she serves as the Democratic registrar of voters.
After earning a B.S. from Bryant University, Conklin initially worked for the Hartford Insurance Group as an accounting unit supervisor. She then moved to Black & Decker in a similar role until she decided to open her own business on Old Saybrook’s Main Street, Sugarplum’s, which she owned and managed for many years. As a businessperson, she served previously as president of the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce and of the Main Street Business Association. She also served on Economic Development Commission.
In the short-term, Conklin says the town’s challenges include “resolving conflicts and accountability on boards and commissions so the town can keep a positive focus on goals. The negativity hurts volunteerism and engaging new people into the town process.”
She observed that negativity exists not just on the Police Commission, but also with the Harbor Management Commission and the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA). She said the Board of Selectmen should have active discussions with chairs of town boards and commissions to ensure they are trained in Robert’s Rules and understand their roles and mission statements.
In the long-term, she cites the potential impact of weather and sea level rise on the town and the need to work with other shoreline towns and to secure state support to address these issues.
Other issues include the need to consider declining school enrollment and to work with the WPCA to meet long-term pollution standards “and stay abreast of close-by towns implementing sewers and their methods in case it is forced upon us long term.”
Conklin also commented on those things that are going well in town.
“We have had a good community support system via business groups, civic groups, art colony, youth asset building activities, for the events and community spirit that makes the town not only saleable for newcomers, new businesses, and tourism, but also provide a good quality environment for residents and businesses already here. Support to do this comes from the municipality with Board of Selectmen, police services, and the groups at hand has been done well. Building on this, there are lots of talented volunteers behind the efforts and activities that take place in town and [we should] make new efforts with them to share their talents into more serious municipal roles.”