Barkhamsted Profiles

 First Selectman

 Mark Hemenway

 I am the Republican candidate for first selectman of Barkhamsted. I am currently serving my third term as the elected Republican selectman. My wife, Judy, and I have called Barkhamsted home since 2007 with our four children, Madison, Noah, Grace and Sam. 

I am very active in the community, having served on the board of directors for Barkhamsted baseball and soccer. I have also coached my children’s baseball, soccer and basketball teams. I recently finished teaching my sixth year of CCD at Immaculate Conception Church of New Hartford, when my class received the sacrament of confirmation.

My campaign is based on my strong desire to maintain the unique quality of life in Barkhamsted and push for changes in our fiscal approach locally and at a state level. Barkhamsted, like many small towns in Connecticut, is going to be faced with hard decisions in order to maintain our schools, roads and resident services while keeping the cost of living affordable. We must change the culture that has been in place for many years or Barkhamsted residents will be forced to leave the state like so many of our friends and neighbors.

 Don Stein

I am a five-term incumbent first selectman in Barkhamsted, and have lived in Barkhamsted for more than 40 years. My wife, Linda, and I have raised four children and have four grandchildren, two of whom attended Regional 7. Two are in college, one is a senior in high school in New Hampshire, and one is at Oliver Wolcott Tech. I retired from United Technologies in 2006 after a successful 37-year career and was chairman of the Board of Education and a selectman for 10 years. I was also heavily involved in the youth baseball league and was one of the group that built the beautiful fields on the Farmington River. I have been chairman of the Northwest Hills Council of Governments and I was on the board of directors of the Council of Small Towns. I’ve been active with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and am chairman of the state trash authority (MIRA).

I am running to build on prior successes, including significant improvements to the town’s infrastructure (new town garage, generators and roofs), repairs to six bridge culverts, repaving of more than 15 miles of town roads, repaving of three major state roads. I’ve obtained more than $3 million in state grants — used for road and bridge repairs— a public restroom in Riverton, improvements to the Historical Society and the school accessible playscape and pavilion. I’ve worked to improve the business environment in town, and have strived to balance growth with preserving the town’s very special environment, including the Farmington River. 

Current initiatives include improvements to the intersection of state Routes 318/219, establishment of a Housing Trust to build seniors’ and workforce housing, continued protection of our  river and our town’s natural beauty, maintaining public safety (resident state trooper/Regional 7 SRO) and helping local businesses, while keeping taxes as low as possible.

 Selectman

 Ray Pech

My wife, Eve, and I have lived in Barkhamsted for 30 years. We’ve raised two children, Dana and Zach, both of whom are proud and successful graduates of Barkhamsted Elementary and Regional 7. 

I work very part-time as a labor attorney, and  am the retired executive director of the CHRO. I’m an incumbent selectman, having served the last three terms with Don Stein. In addition, I served the town in the past as the chairman of the Rec Commission. I currently serve on the response committee for natural disasters, and work with the Barkhamsted Land Trust to promote affordable housing opportunities for seniors and young families. I also serve as the chairman of the board of directors of the Northwest Connecticut Transit District.

I grew up in northwest Connecticut. As a longtime member of the Farmington River Watershed Association and the Appalachian Mountain Club, I’m keenly aware of the natural beauty that is Barkhamsted. That is why we, and many others, chose to settle here. I am firmly committed to preserving those wonders. Only within those parameters would I favor growth, as it is important to promote business— particularly tourism — and those that enhance our wilderness. Attracting responsible business helps to keep our taxes down. My service to the town thus far demonstrates my commitment to these goals and I welcome the opportunity to continue that service on the Board of Selectmen.