North Stonington voters face many choices on Tuesday's ballot - The Westerly Sun

NORTH STONINGTON — Three incumbents, a Democrat and two Republicans, will be seeking reelection to the Board of Education on Tuesday, and will be joined on the ballot by a political newcomer, Democrat Stephanie Mastroianni.

Voters in North Stonington will cast ballots for two of the four to serve on the eight-member board for the next term.

Mastroianni, 41, said she is excited to have a chance to serve the town in an elected capacity. She said  she hopes, if elected, to further the work already done by the Board of Education to provide the town with a great school system.

"I think it is most important for our town to work together regardless of partisan politics to do what is best for our students, residents and teachers in order to provide the highest quality education possible while being fiscally responsible," she said. "I look forward to sitting on the Board of Education to help further that objective.

Mastroianni, the wife of Republican first selectman candidate Brett Mastroianni, is no newcomer to community service. She works as a staff member with the Office of the Victim Services Advocate at New London Superior Court and has volunteered as a board member of the North Stonington Education Foundation and as president of the Stonington Bears Youth Lacrosse League.

Running alongside Mastroianni, Democrat Darren Robert, 50, said he is hoping to continue his service to the town. He has been a member of various town boards for more than 20 years.

Robert, a professor and father of three, said he would work provide the schools with the resources necessary to give students a quality education. He added that it would be important to focus on economic development, particularly by attracting commercial businesses to nonresidential areas, and to grow the grand list in order to support the costs of education without overburdening taxpayers.

Republican Alex Karpinski, the vice chairman of the board, and Phil Mendolia are working to convince voters that they are committed to providing a quality education as well, and are reminding voters of their experience in helping to guide the town through school renovations.

The 62-year-old Karpinski, a six-year member of the board and local soccer coach, is the director of product development and engineering at EaglePicher Technologies. He and his wife, Deb, have three children and six grandchildren.

He said the board must continue to be diligent in its oversight and balance the town's needs in order to provide a world-class education at the Wheeler campus while simultaneously maintaining a budget that is both responsible and sustainable for taxpayers.

"We need sustainment of a high quality education while working on recurring, level-funded budgets," he said. "We need to continue to focus on a zero base budgeting process and explore external grants while managing declining contributions from the state."

Mendolia last ran for the board in 2015 and finished third behind Karpinski and Robert. He did not respond to requests for comment.

Board of Finance

In the race for Board of Finance, the board's current secretary, Carolyn Howell, will go head-to-head against Republican newcomer Daniel J. Smith.

Howell, 49, a medical practice manager with Ear, Nose and Throat Associated of Southeastern Connecticut, and a mother of one, has served four years on the Board of Finance and said she has never been political. When approached by the Democrats to run this year, she said she would consider it only if allowed to remain unaffiliated.

She said her experience the past four years has provided her with the skills necessary to effectively serve the community. Her top priorities, if reelected, would be to increase the tax base, eliminate wasteful spending, and enhance transparency on how the town's dollars are spent. She noted that these goals would require a focus on expanding the tax base and reducing any redundant spending in the budget.

"Having small restaurants and businesses in town that complement our way of life and the environment are not only an added convenience, they will also provide jobs locally," she said. "Most importantly, people of all ages and backgrounds need to be able to afford to live in our town, whether they are just starting out or are trying to enjoy retirement."

Smith, 35, a graduate of Chariho High School, is a senior design specialist with General Dynamics Electric Boat and has previously served the community as vice chairman of the North Stonington Town Government Structure Committee.He and his wife, Jodie, have one child. Smith said his top priority would be to scrutinize spending and find a way to level off property taxes and provide a more fiscally conservative voice for the people.

In the seven years he has lived in town, Smith said he has seen his property taxes steadily increase each year. "I would like to bring a more fiscally conservative voice to the Board of Finance, all while being open to new or 'out of the box' ideas to help level off the increases in property taxes and make North Stonington affordable to all residents," he said.

Voters will also be asked to select an alternate for the board this year and will choose between Democrat Connie Berardi and Republican Anne Aiken. Berardi, 69, is also running for a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The 69-year-old Berardi works in hotel management and is a mother of three and grandmother to five children. She has served as a volunteer for the North Stonington Town Festival for the past two years

Berardi said that as an elected official, she would work to ensure a balanced budget and efficient spending, and to encourage public participation in town governance. She said it would be helpful if more residents attended meetings and voiced their opinions, even if they aren't able to serve on boards or committees.

In an email, she said she wanted "to get our younger generation involved to bring new ideas and energy to town. These are the people who can help build a brighter future and change the complacency that exists."

Aiken could not be reached for further comment.

Other races in North Stonington

In the race for town treasurer, Republican William A. Mason will challenge Democrat Mark S. Donahue. Donahue lost to Republican Robin D. Roohr in 2017.

Democrat Paula Woodward and Republican Candy Palmer will face off on the ballot for one open seat on the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Voters will be asked to select two of four candidates to serve a full term on the Economic Development Commission in a race between Democrats Jennifer Anderson and Nicole Porter, and Republicans Brett Mastroianni and William Mason. Republican Stefan Grufstedt is running unopposed to fill a vacant two-year seat on the commission, while Democrat Anthony Mazzella and Republican Jennifer Strunk are running to serve as alternates.

In the contest for the Planning and Zoning Commission, the candidates are Democrats Jenn Pensa and Connie Berardi, and Republicans Edward C. Learned and Louis Steinbecker. Republican Asa Palmer and Democrat Mark Leonard will compete to fill an open four-year seat on the commission, and Republican Robert Kappes and Democrat Dick Seager are seeking election as an alternate.

Democrat Breeze Floyd and Republicans Shawn P. Murphy and Bruce Smith will compete for two seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Democrat Joan Kepler is running unopposed to fill a four-year vacancy on the board. Democrat John Varas Jr. and Republicans Colleen Thompson on are the ballot as alternates.

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