Rich Sileo, a Thomaston resident for more than three decades and current chairman of the Board of Finance, is running to be the town’s next First Selectman. He and his wife moved to Thomaston soon after they married, drawn by its affordability, proximity to work, good schools, and small-town charm. After 33 years, Sileo says those same qualities continue to define the community and are what motivate him to seek the town’s top office.

Sileo has spent over two decades in senior leadership roles at global companies, managing multimillion-dollar budgets and leading diverse teams. He holds an MBA in international marketing and advanced business certificates from the University of Connecticut, along with a degree in mechanical engineering and a post-baccalaureate certificate in computer science from the University of Hartford. He has chaired both the Board of Finance and the Economic Development Commission, experiences he says gave him a deeper understanding of how the town’s financial and economic needs intersect.

He describes this as the right moment to step forward, pointing to opportunities he identified on the Board of Finance to improve town operations. “The town needs a leader that listens deeply and carefully to everyone,” he said. Better communication, he added, means not only listening but also providing regular updates when major issues are being discussed.

For Sileo, the First Selectman must also serve as Thomaston’s chief promoter. He emphasized retaining and supporting existing businesses while actively marketing the town to new ones. He pointed to the ongoing school feasibility study as another top priority, saying the community must find cost-effective ways to ensure students have good quality education in an environment suitable for learning. Financially, he advocates strict adherence to budgets, growth of the grand list, and pursuit of grants and other alternative funding sources.

He described the responsibilities of the First Selectman as a combination of chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and chief marketing officer. As CEO, he said the role directs government operations and ensures services and infrastructure are delivered cost-effectively. As CFO, it involves fiscal discipline with careful investment to help the town succeed. As CMO, it requires working to retain existing businesses while enticing new ones.

Sileo has voiced concern about the town’s reliance on its undesignated fund balance, calling the practice deeply concerning and unsustainable. He said the reserve should be used for unforeseen expenses, not to cover recurring needs, and pledged to improve budgeting processes and ensure the town lives within its means.

Beyond finances, he cited other priorities, including upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility, where a moratorium on new sewer connections is limiting growth. He also pointed to downtown development as an area where he hopes to support the efforts of the Economic Development Commission and others working to revitalize the area.

On leadership style, Sileo said his approach is rooted in “deep listening” and situational leadership, which adapts based on the people and tasks involved. “Everyone has a voice and wants to be heard,” he said, adding that respectful conversations and open exchanges of ideas are essential to transparency and accessibility in government.

Reflecting on his candidacy, Sileo returned to his personal connection to the town. “After 33 years of living in Thomaston, I would like to do everything I can to ensure it remains a great place to live,” he said.