Meet the Candidates: Tom Gugliotti

Editor's Note: The following candidate statement was submitted by Avon Democrat Tom Gugliotti, an incumbent running for re-election to the Board of Finance. Interested in submitting a candidate statement? Send your statement of no more than 500 words with a photo to Jessie.Sawyer@patch.com. We'll run them in the order they are submitted. You can also start a political blog and post your statement there at avon.patch.com/blog. 

Avon is one of the finest communities in the Farmington Valley – in the State, for that matter.  We enjoy one of the best school systems, infrastructure, public services, open space and recreational facilities among all of our neighboring towns.  But, we can do better.  It does not take a lot to yield a marked improvement in each of these categories.  In the past, we have missed opportunities to make noticeable improvements with only marginal fiscal impact.  As our state and national economy continue to trend toward improvement, we have the opportunity in Avon to “do a little better”.  By doing a little better, by making prudent investments in our Town, we will enjoy the dividends and benefits of those investments for years to come. 

My 20 years of experience on the Board of Finance can help contribute to the goal of “doing a little better”.  During my years of service on the Board of Finance, I have tried to make the argument for why Avon can and should do a little better, and in the process, reap dividends that exceed any new investment.  I have favored a judicious “pruning” of the budget tree, but avoiding chopping down the entire tree.  I have and continue to advocate for further exploration of how Avon could realize economic savings by combining with other area towns in the providing of certain government services.  I believe that it would be in Avon’s best interest to create a Commission to study how Avon could expand on those benefits, and engage surrounding towns in that dialogue.

Some of my personal experiences may lend themselves to serving as a concerned custodian of Avon’s financial vitality.  I am a 30 year resident of Avon, having raised four children to adult-hood, each attending all levels of the Avon schools.  I have practiced law for the past 38 years, presently practicing with the Hartford law firm of Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, serving as the Chair of that firms Creditor’s Rights practice group.  I am a member of the Church of St. Ann, having served as the Chair of the Parish Council and Chair of the Capital Campaign for renovation of the Church.

I am a graduate of Fairfield University and the Suffolk University School of Law.  I have served as the Chair of the Connecticut Bar Association Section on Commercial Law & Bankruptcy, and currently serve as Treasurer of the Hartford County Bar Association.  I also serve as a member of the CBA House of Delegates.

I truly love the Town of Avon.  I would consider it a privilege to be re-elected to serve another term on the Board of Finance.