2025 Candidates
We are proud to introduce our slate of candidates for the 2025 East Haddam town election!
Please see our Voting page for information on voter registration, your polling place, and to view a sample ballot for the upcoming election.
Tanya Bourgoin
candidate for FIRST Selectman
I love East Haddam! I feel blessed to be part of its past history and current community and I want to be part of ensuring its thriving future.
I have lived in East Haddam for 15 years but my roots here run much deeper. Growing up inHaddam, my family and I crossed the river frequently to enjoy the wonderful things that East Haddam has to offer. Some of my favorite childhood memories include shopping with my mother and grandmother at Parsnip Hollow, lunching at Hale and Hearty and visiting the many area attractions. Gillette’s Castle and Johnsonville were particular favorites, especially exciting when they were in their full holiday glory at Christmastime. After a day spent picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming or camping at Devil’s Hopyard, Bashan Lake or Selden Neck, we enjoyed many summer evening concerts on the lawn at Chestelm. My maternal great grandmother was born in Millington; her direct lineage includes the Trowbridge, Bartman, Willey and Bogue families, as well as members of the indigenous Wangunk tribe.
My early employment history was largely comprised of retail sales and management, through which I learned many valuable skills such as how to interact with individuals on many different levels - managers, co-workers, vendors, and customers, how to keep calm when things got hectic, and how to offer advice and guidance with the integrity that comes from expertise.
Working in a veterinary office helped to further my communications skills and taught me how a well-organized office should function. Being the live-in manager of an animal shelter, I learned how to successfully supervise employees and volunteers, coordinate service providers, solicit donors and connect with the public while keeping the facility well-maintained on a tight budget. Becoming chief municipal animal control officer further strengthened my communication and administrative skills and provided valuable insight as to how town governments work.
I have always believed in being the importance of being of service to the community. I served as the fundraising director from 2015 to this past March for a listener-supported radio station where I have been a DJ for the last 15 years. In that time, I successfully surpassed the donation goals every year while cutting fundraising expenses and increasing community involvement. In 2016, I cofounded the Friends of Machimoodus and Sunrise State Parks and I am still president of that organization today. My advocacy and organizational skills led me to be elected to the board of the Friends of CT State Parks this past September. In 2020, I joined the Connecticut chapter of the Sierra Club’s newly formed Wildlife Committee and because of my leadership abilities, I was appointed chair of that committee in August of 2022. In February 2022, I was solicited to become involved with the nascent CT Outdoor Recreation Alliance, and I havebeen attending their meetings regularly since that time.
Through my combined experience in many different sectors, I have learned the skills necessary to be an effective leader. I have proven myself to be dedicated, thoughtful, objective, and when necessary tenacious. Above all, I believe that by building relationships and finding common ground, we can solve problems and reach lasting solutions as a team.
Thomas Sevigny
Candidate for Selectman
Selectman for the Town of Canton 2011 - 2019
B.A. and M.A. in U.S. History from Trinity College
Currently serve on the East Haddam Redevelopment Agency
Chairman of the East Haddam Municipal Broadband Committee
✓ EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP: Solving the complex issues that confront our town requires bringing people together through community engagement. “My way or the highway” is not effective leadership. The ongoing ambulance issue, the confusing tree cutting decision, and the attempt to eliminate snow plowing for private roads in the middle of winter are a few examples of rash and arbitrary decision making that creates animosity and cost the town money. Effective leaders bring people together.
✓ FUTURE FOCUS: In order to enhance East Haddam’s quality of life, the town must develop medium and long range plans for its future. Economic development, fiscal stability, preservation of community character, and efficient infrastructure maintenance do not just happen by accident. The development of goals, and most importantly the implementation of those goals, will be a priority for me if elected.
✓ TRANSPARENCY: Transparency begins with clearly defined roles of elected officials and the establishment of clear procedures and processes. In order to achieve this a town charter is a must. In addition, the charter adoption process allows citizens greater say on how East Haddam government is structured and how it operates on a day to day basis. I will advocate for a town charter from day one.
Carol faraci
candidate for town treasurer
She holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from Central Connecticut State University and nearly 25 years of professional accounting experience in general accounting, law, health care service industries and corporate insurance.
Prior to her recent retirement, she worked for a Fortune 500 insurance company with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership, demonstrating strong administrative and people skills as a good listener and problem solver.
“If I am elected to serve my community, I hope to provide effective accountability, timely processing of transactions and traceability to the Finance Department. My top three priorities for the position would be transparency, keeping taxes down and helping to preserve our town’s rural character.”
In her various professional positions, Carol has been responsible for payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, cash flow, budgets, bank reconciliations and monthly financial statements. She has also worked on internal audits and collected information and coordinated with external auditors.
Carol is the former treasurer for the First Church of Christ Congregational of East Haddam, where she is a member. Among other activities, she volunteers with the church’s Loving Spoonful soup snack bar in the winter months. She also enjoys sewing, watercolor painting, taking classes and exercising at the East Haddam Senior Center.
Carol and her husband, Lou, have been residents of East Haddam/Moodus for more than 16 years.
“I have always loved the open space and country charm that East Haddam provides, but the best quality about living in East Haddam are the people. It is great to talk with different people to get other opinions and share joys and concerns. You can always walk down the street and get a friendly wave.”
Maureen Pierson
Candidate for Planning and Zoning commission
Years in East Haddam: 12
What are you running: I am running for Planning and Zoning Commission because this is an important year for our town with regards to the planning of The Village and Moodus Center. These important projects must move forward carefully and thoughtfully as business development is imperative for the economic structure of East Haddam.
What skills/experience or other interests do you bring to the job: I have a life long interest in historic architecture and preservation. I have worked with The National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington DC, I have lived in two antique homes (200+ years old) both of whom are on the Historic Registry, and I am interested in the historic development and conservation of our town.
While not a builder, I do bring a fresh perspective to the planning and zoning process. I will educate myself with the projects presented to the board and will be prepared for the meetings and collaborate with land use board with regard to our town’s plan of conservation and development. I will be fully committed to doing what is best for our community.
What do you hope to accomplish in this position: I hope do what I can to move new development projects forward, to be prepared and informed so fair decisions can be made to benefit our citizens and the community of East Haddam.
Things you like best about East Haddam: Its friendly and safe community. The stunningly beautiful rural character and scenic landscapes. It’s historical charm.
Top three Priorities in town: 1) Improving tax structure to ease the pressure off property owners as the sole tax base, 2) Preserving our natural resources- trees, rivers, streams, and open spaces, 3) Developing business areas responsibly, to enhance the beauty of our historic town.
Personal, education, family, hobbies: I am a retired Speech and Language Therapist and Special Educator. I have a Bachelor’s degree and two Master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina. I have lived in 14 states and 4 foreign countries. I am happy to have retired in East Haddam with my sweet little rescued dogs. I love reading, writing, genealogy, and travel.
Susan E. Kinsman
Candidate for planning and zoning commission
Years as East Haddam resident: 40 years
Why are you running: East Haddam needs focused planning and infrastructure investment to create opportunities for business growth to offset property taxes; to protect our historic resources and to preserve our natural resources.
What skills/experience or other interest would you bring to the job: Retired attorney who has served six years on the commission as an alternate. Appointed as a commissioner to fill a vacancy and now running for re-election to that position. Many years of professional experience in communications, state government and non-profit management.
What do you hope to accomplish in the position: Consistent application of zoning law and regulations; focused planning on future development to enhance East Haddam as a place to live, work and run a business.
Things you like best about East Haddam: Its natural beauty, open spaces and preserves; its history and important historic buildings and people who care about their neighbors and community.
Top three priorities for the town: Making more housing options available for young people and retired people to stay in town; enhancing and adhering to our plan of conservation and development; working to ensure any master plans adopted for Moodus Center and East Haddam Village are followed.
Personal: B.A. political science, University of Connecticut; J.D. University of Connecticut School of Law. Married to Alan Ponanski. Two adult sons. Certified advanced master gardener by UConn Extension; board member, CT Mt. Laurel Chapter of Wild Ones, native plant organization; Church Clerk, First Church of Christ Congregational of East Haddam.