Marc Matsil – First Selectman
Marc is running for Harwinton First Selectman because he believes that management and communication need to improve in the Town. Marc spent more than 30 years in government working for the City of NY as Chief of Natural Resources; For the US EPA, he was Chair of the Habitat Group for the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program—where he developed a management plan and priorities for conservation, flood abatement and water quality protection. Marc was Director of Parks, Trails, & Forests, and the Convention Center for the City & Borough of Juneau, Alaska. He also spent a decade with the National Park Service.
Marc has received numerous National & International awards for his conservation work. He has raised 10’s of millions of dollars in grants from foundations, and from state and federal sources and businesses, which results in tax reductions for residents. He currently serves on the Harwinton Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission, and teaches part-time for Thomaston and Waterbury High Schools.
Marc looks forward to a debate.
John Duffy – Selectman
John has been a Harwinton resident for 36 years. With degrees in both Engineering and Education, John worked for 6 years as a mechanical engineer for GE and the Nuclear Navy. He later earned his teaching credentials from CCSU and taught Math and Science in Torrington and Canton, ending his 36-year career as a K-12 Science Curriculum Coordinator in Southington. John also coached high school soccer, basketball and track, focusing throughout his career on team building and leadership development.
John currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Harwinton Public Library and on the Board of Directors for the Harwinton Land Trust.
“As a member of the Harwinton Board of Selectmen I look forward to improving communication between the Board and all members of the community and increasing support and recognition of the many town volunteers.”
Weld Royal – Board of Finance
Weld has studied, researched, and written about business, economics, finance, and capital markets for much of her career. Her work has appeared in Barron’s, Dow Jones sites, Money, and websites owned by the NYSE. She believes in the power of education and particularly financial knowledge in government.
“As a member of the Board of Finance, I would focus on providing voters transparent details on how Harwinton officials make financial decisions with taxpayer funds. I believe it’s critical that all taxpayers have access to a detailed copy of the town’s budget.”
Sabrina Beck – Board of Finance
Sabrina recently retired after more than 25 years as an owner and executive at Altek Electronics, her family’s manufacturing business in Torrington. Throughout her career, she led key functions including Marketing, Estimating, Document Control, and Compliance, earning a reputation for strategic thinking and collaborative leadership.
Sabrina has a long history of community involvement, having served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, the Warner Theatre, and as president of the Smaller Manufacturer’s Association. Now retired, she is eager to bring her leadership experience to public service and to support the residents of Harwinton as a member of the Board of Finance.
*Cynthia Banach – Board of Assessment Appeals
Cindy, a 20+ year resident of Harwinton, served for 15 years as treasurer and tax collector and on the executive board of the Lake Harwinton Association. She was recently appointed to a position on the Board of Assessment Appeals.
A 40-year veteran of the entertainment industry, first in international distribution of foreign and domestic television programs and more recently in distribution of documentaries of social importance, Cindy currently works remotely in film distribution. Prior to this, she was a paleontologist working on the fossil beds of Eastern North America.
*Paul Roche – Planning Commission
Paul, an 18-year member of the Planning Commission, extensively contributed to the writing of the last two of the town’s Plans of Conservation and Development. Paul has been an attorney for the last 36 years.
Wendy Darasz – Planning Commission
Wendy has been a resident of Harwinton for 25 years. She has a BA in Psychology and an M.Ed., and an Advanced Degree in Literacy/Reading. Wendy worked 24 years as a primary teacher in Grades 1-3 and 10 years as a Reading Specialist. She is the co-founder of an educational company called Informed Literacy which creates resources for parents and teachers of beginning and struggling readers.
“I’m running for the Planning Commission because I believe in responsible land use and development that reflects our community’s values and supports its long-term well-being.”
Paul Rosin – Zoning Commission
Paul, a Harwinton resident since 2012, was the President of the Lake Harwinton Association from 2021 thru 2024. He holds BS and MS degrees in Elementary and Special Education, and was the Executive Director of Community Residences Inc., a not-for-profit human services agency that operates group homes, day programs and community supports for adults and children in Connecticut and Rhode Island from 1990 thru 2021.
“I am running for the Zoning Commission because I am interested in helping Harwinton maintain its small community charm, create affordable housing opportunities for seniors and new families, and grow Harwinton’s tax base with small businesses that add value to the community.”
Myrna Watanabe – Zoning Commission
Myrna has lived in Harwinton for 27 years and is a retired Connecticut community college teacher. She is a former member of NWCT Economic Development Corporation and has served on several appointed town committees. She is an advocate for rare disease patients at the state level and is the co-author of several books on animals.
“Zoning issues can be complex, pitting individual rights against government initiatives. The state housing crisis will change how we see zoning, and we must be prepared for it.”
*Stephen Smith – Zoning Commission Alternate
Stephen, a licensed contractor with over 22 years of experience, co-owns Wet Basement Waterproofing LLC and works as a Mechanical Coordinator in the VDC Department at F+F Mechanical.
As a Zoning Commission Alternate, Stephen uses his professional expertise and enjoys actively contributing to the community. He and his wife, Dayan, have lived in Harwinton for 10 years, where they are raising their family.
Payton Turpin – Zoning Board of Appeals
As a physician, Payton has spent 20 years in Emergency Departments. More recently, he was clinical director for Express Care operations for ProHealth Physicians. He has lived in Harwinton for over 20 years
Franci Knight – Zoning Board of Appeals
Franci started her business, A Healing Trail Wellness Center in 1997 and moved the business and her residence to Harwinton in 2003. She has served on the Harwinton Economic Development Commission and is a volunteer for several local organizations and charities including Brian’s Angels, Harwinton Lions and the Harwinton Land Trust.
Her job experience includes CT Licensed Massage Therapist, Federal OSHA construction safety trainer, construction rescue boat operator and EMS, along with years of working in a hospital setting.
Franci has been through the Harwinton zoning process multiple times as her business has expanded.
Kristine Durante – Zoning Board of Appeals
Kris has lived in Harwinton for the last 22 years. With a Master’s Degree in Human Services from Post University, Kris’ career consisted of working in marketing and human resources in the corporate sector, spending her last few years before retirement as a community builder/facilitator for a Waterbury non-profit focusing on youth and families.
Kris has volunteered in numerous capacities over the years for a variety of organizations supporting children, literacy and the elderly.
Pam Rahn – Zoning Board of Appeals
Pam Rahn has lived in Harwinton for 20 years. Prior to her retirement she worked as a Substance Abuse Counselor/Case Manager with Community Renewal Team, and most recently with Community Partners in Action CPA. Both positions were working with clients in the Criminal Justice System.
Dayan Aguilera-Rua – Regional Board of Education
Dayan is a devoted mother of three, with two children at Harwinton Consolidated School and one at CCSU. A nurse for 15 years, she currently works at Haven Health Care. Active in the community, Dayan serves on the HCS PTO and recently joined the Harwinton Recreation Commission to support local youth programs.
She and her husband, Stephen Smith, have lived in Harwinton for 10 years and co-own a local construction business. Dayan is passionate about education and committed to strengthening Region 10 schools.
*Incumbent
We promise town governance that fosters transparency, communication, and inclusiveness.
WE SUPPORT:
- Clear communication between Town Hall and the community
- Sound financial management
- Maintaining a strong education system in Region 10
WE BELIEVE IN:
- Keeping commercial growth consistent with the character of our small town
- Maintaining and preserving Harwinton’s beauty and history
- Fostering a community where all feel welcome, safe and heard
- Responsible stewardship of our natural environment