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08/14/2024 08:30 AMWhether it’s his three decades as a member of the Zoning Commission or by running his family business, it’s hard to find someone who has been more involved in Westbrook than longtime resident Harry Ruppenicker, Jr.
In 1991, Harry returned to Westbrook after having spent several years away at school. Harry quickly got involved in the Republican Town Committee (RTC), starting a journey of volunteering his time to the town that hasn’t stopped in the 33 years since.
Harry jokes that getting involved in Westbrook’s civic life is something of a “family affair” for him.
“My father helped start the Harbor Commission, my mother has been involved in the Historical Society, I have an older sister who helped start Westbrook Youth and Family, and another sister has been on the Board of Education,” Harry explains.
It’s a family history of involvement which continues to this day.
“Our family grew up here, we still live here, and we raise our kids here. We’re all still really committed to this town,” says Harry.
In addition to his time on the RTC, Harry is probably best known for his time on the Zoning Commission. Harry was first appointed to the seat in 1993 and was then re-elected to the seat in 1995. In 2020, Harry was elected as chairman of the commission.
Harry had developed had an interest in land use thanks to a summer job he had in 1986 researching land-use records at town hall to convert them into microfiche.
“I was very well-prepared by working in the department for the commission,” he says.
Per the town website, the commission “has the authority to regulate buildings, signs, establish and change zoning regulations, and zoning maps. The commission reviews site plans and special permits.”
This means that over the years Harry has had a first-hand look at the different developments which have come into town and how some aspects of public life have changed throughout that time.
“When I was first on it, our meetings were held in the teacher’s lounge of the Daisy [Ingraham] School, and it was a big deal for us if someone actually showed up,” Harry jokes.
Now, the meetings are held at town hall and can sometimes draw a passionate crowd depending on the applications before the commission.
While he can’t point to one specific favorite moment during his tenure on the commission, Harry says that it has been satisfying to see his work pay off.
“Over the years, it’s been fun to see the various projects or if a suggestion is made to improve an application come to fruition,” Harry replies. “I really like working with the other commissioners, as well as the land-use staff and the professionals that come in, such as the attorneys and engineers.”
In addition to his time on the Zoning Commission, Harry has also served on the Water Pollution Control Commission and the Westbrook Foundation. He is also currently on the Connecticut Republican State Central Committee. Harry says his passion for being involved in town stems from an early interest in politics.
“I’ve always been interested in politics, even back when I was in high school. At college, I was chairman of the College Republicans at UConn, I was a member of the Mansfield Republican Town Committee while in college, and I’ve always been interested in the party. It was a natural fit when I got back to Westbrook,” Harry explains.
Outside of the political realm, Harry manages the office at Harry’s Marine Repair. The business is owned by Harry’s parents, and he proudly notes that the business has been in town since 1965.
Harry was born and raised in Westbrook and graduated from Westbrook High School in 1984. Apart from his time at UConn, a stint in Germany pursuing an additional degree, and a short period of time in Stamford, Harry has lived in Westbrook throughout his life.
Harry admits that his involvement in the town’s political sphere takes up a lot of time, but in his spare time, Harry enjoys reading and spending time with his wife Megan, his sons, Harry Ruppenicker III and Daniel, and his daughter Sarah.
“We love hiking. One of my sons and I have hiked all the high points in New England, and we did a rim hike in the Grand Canyon,” Harry says.
Harry’s involvement with the Clinton Bible Fellowship is also something which he takes very seriously.
As a native of Westbrook, it’s no surprise that Harry is quite fond of the town.
“I live the fact you can be on the shore, then 10 minutes later be in the woods. It’s got a small-town feel still, yet we’ve got I-95 and the rail, too, if you need to get out,” Harry says.