Luke Freimuth was unanimously elected chairman of the Thomaston Board of Finance during a special meeting held Tuesday, Dec. 9. Freimuth was re-elected to the Board of Finance in this year’s municipal election and will serve his term as a board member through 2031. 

Freimuth has more than twenty years of experience in tax and treasury roles, including work with global organizations, Big Four accounting firms, and publicly traded companies. He currently leads the tax organization of an international aircraft leasing company. Freimuth holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA with a concentration in tax and accounting from Central Connecticut State University. 

In response to questions from the Chronicle, Freimuth said he plans to continue the board’s focus on transparency. 

“I would like to continue to build off of what my predecessor, Rich Sileo, has worked so hard to achieve, which is continued transparency with not only the public but also the town and its departments,” Freimuth said. “By doing so, it will allow us to understand the needs of the town as they look to provide the services necessary while keeping grounded in what the taxpayers’ needs are.” 

Asked about the town’s near-term financial challenges, Freimuth cited infrastructure needs and other upcoming obligations. “The town has consistently worked hard to maintain infrastructure,” he said. “We have a continued need for roads and sidewalks to be maintained and updated. And now with recent challenges at the WPCA and the Board of Education’s feasibility study, we will have additional needs that need to be serviced.” 

Following Freimuth’s election as chairman, the Board of Finance held a second special meeting and voted unanimously to appoint George Seabourne to return to the board and fill the vacancy created by Rich Sileo’s election as First Selectman. Seabourne will serve the remainder of Sileo’s term. 

The Board of Finance typically meets monthly at Town Hall, with agendas posted on the town’s website. Recent meetings have also been streamed via Zoom online for the public to view virtually.