By Sarah Opdahl

Khris Hall and Jon Russo will be on the ballot for the position of Selectman on November 4. The role is described by the Connecticut General Assembly as “superintend[ing] the concerns of the Town.” The position involves working with the community, problem solving, working closely with the Town Treasurer and Finance Director, and serving as a partner with the First Selectman. Candidates Pat Del Monaco and Khris Hall would like to take on the top leadership once again in Town, having worked together in the roles for three terms, from 2017-2023,  while Melissa Lindsey and Jon Russo seek to continue to build a relationship during a potential second term for Lindsey.

In Q&As with the candidates, it’s clear that both are energized and hope the election will end in their favor.

What inspired you to run for Selectman?

Khris Hall

When I first ran for Selectman in 2017, I did so because I believed I could do a better job than the then current selectman in making decisions about important issues affecting the town, such as protecting Candlewood Lake from herbicides.  I am running again with the same motive – to do a better job of serving New Fairfield residents than the Row B Selectman candidate, who has lived in New Fairfield for just over 2 years and does not have the deep roots in the community I have — nor the extensive understanding of how New Fairfield government and budget actually operate.  

Jon Russo

Actually Selectman wasn’t originally on my radar. When I asked to get involved they had an opening on the Board of Finance and thought it would be a good place to start as my reason for joining was the schools. Having 2 kids in the school system I was interested in joining the Board of Education. After seeing New Fairfield go through 5 budget referendums I wanted to understand what was going on. Being on the BOF made me quickly realize that a lot of work needed to be done for the town as a whole. That is when the Selectman position was put before me. I believe that my years in project management lend better to a whole town perspective.

What are you most excited about regarding your partnership with the First Selectman candidate?

Khris Hall

I served as Selectman for six years (2017-2023) with Pat Del Monaco.  We have an excellent working relationship, honed through the five campaigns we have run together and the many challenges we faced together in those six years – the 2018 macroburst and the pandemic, for example.  I am a trusted partner in her leadership.  Our skills are complementary.  Pat’s engineering background and my legal and project executive background means we sometimes bring differing perspectives to an issue.  We value each other’s opinions.  I am able to voice my opinion, which is not always the same as hers, with the knowledge that it will be respected.   

Jon Russo

It became clear the first time I spoke with Melissa that our ideals were aligned. I had been following the work she had been doing and was in full support of what she was trying to accomplish. She leads with integrity and transparency and does not apologize for ruffling a few feathers if it is in the best interest of New Fairfield. It is not easy work and with so many differing views the ability to stay the course and follow through is inspiring. We work well together already and can seamlessly bounce ideas off of each other and though we see things differently we know that we have each other’s back. You cannot ask for a better partner as we push to keep New Fairfield strong into the future.

With a very different administration in place for the last two years, what has inspired you even further to serve?

Khris Hall

The decisions made by the Board of Selectmen affect every resident’s life — from taxes to public security to heavily used services such as the library and senior center.  I have been troubled by the direction of the current Board of Selectmen and their inability to propose a sound budget or move important projects, such as the bus lot, forward.  They have wasted time and taxpayer money.  With my six years of experience as a Selectman and professional background, I will hit the road running to support the budget and other important matters needed to get back on track.

How has your time on the Board of Finance better prepared you for the role of Selectman?

Jon Russo

I went to school for finance and held some jobs in finance. Most recently creating budgets for projects at work. Nothing prepared me for municipal budgets. Fortunately for me one of my strongest skills is the ability to learn on the fly. My unique perspective of always looking at things from a 30,000 foot view gives me the ability to see things down the road. BOF quickly taught me that there is a lot more that goes into running and operating a town and schools that most take for granted. I am going into this with eyes and ears wide open and mouth shut. It is time to listen to the needs of all of our taxpayers young and old and be the steward they deserve.

With political polarization creating an ever-increasing pressure cooker at every level of government, what do you think might best serve as a release valve?

Khris Hall

The best release valve is to listen to residents to understand what the majority actually wants.  The current Board of Selectmen claimed they were going to do what residents wanted but seemed to be listening only to those whose views they agree with.  It shouldn’t take five votes on a budget to figure out that the majority did not want the school budget to be deeply cut.  It shouldn’t take a two-year delay and cost escalation of over $1 million to understand where the majority of residents would like the school bus lot to be located.  Pat and I have knocked on hundreds of doors the past few months and are grateful for the input we have received.

Civility and respect are also important ingredients.  I spent 20 years “doing politics” in Washington, DC before moving to New Fairfield.  During that time, we had civil discussions and worked across the aisle – and got things done.  No one got 100%, but things got done.  We need a more bipartisan approach to government – at all levels, including in New Fairfield.  But civility is not enough if you aren’t listening to residents.

Jon Russo

For me, it’s simple: I’ve always been family first. Having such an incredible support system makes all the difference. My wife and children understand this path was placed before me, and their faith in me gives me the strength to do what’s needed — first for them, and then for our community. I’ve always believed that tough times don’t last, but tough people do. In a world that can feel overwhelming and divided, I focus on seeking understanding and staying grounded in truth. Those values, combined with my family’s support, keep me steady and prepared no matter what challenges come our way.

Are there any new or revived Town projects that you would like to focus on, if elected?

Khris Hall

There are a number of projects that have languished in the past two years, raising costs, that we will look at.

·               Approval by the Zoning Commission and actual construction of a bus lot in the northwest corner of the Consolidated School site as approved by the Board of Education is a high priority.  Every day of delay brings more costs and safety risks.

·               Purchase and deployment of new state-of-the-art radios for first responders needs to be moved forward quickly.  Pat Del Monaco won a $2 million federal grant almost three years ago for this and the radios still have not been purchased.

·               Working with Danbury to move the Margerie Trail forward using state grants will be a priority.

·               Revisiting the Town Green project, for which Pat Del Monaco won a state grant, will be important to bolstering our businesses in town and addressing infrastructure issues.

All of the above will make use of state or federal funding, with minimal contributions from New Fairfield taxpayers.

Jon Russo

There has been so much talk over the last several years about new projects and a wish list of items. From walking trails and town greens with an amphitheater to sewer systems and more robust commercial growth, I believe that folks have lost sight of what is most important. Sustainability. Having owned and operated businesses, one of the biggest things I learned was preventive maintenance. While new shining things look good it is not always realistic to build new while neglecting what is already here. Some of our older buildings, which I believe is part of the charm of New Fairfield, and our crumbling infrastructure has been ignored to the point where it almost needs complete replacement. We need to be mindful of what came before. The Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) is something that all residents in town should read. This 10 year plan is a great way to learn how to respect New Fairfield’s traditions while having a vision for the future.

With so many eyes on the budgets of the last few years, and especially in light of the range of financial need/disparity in town identified through the affordable housing work and more, how would you articulate your thoughts on fiscally responsible budgeting?

Khris Hall

The tax increases the past two years (both well above the Cost-of-Living Adjustment) have been burdensome on many homeowners, especially on those who were hit with a higher revaluation of their home.  Pat and I will focus on the upcoming budget cycle with the goal of ending up with mill rate increases at or below the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) – something we were able to do in most of our years in office.  Among other things, we will focus on

·               Areas that are likely to see increases, such as medical insurance for our employees,

·               Bringing in funding where possible from sources other than taxpayers, such as grants (Pat Del Monaco brought in over $5 million in grants),

·               Taking a look at a new state statute that gives us the flexibility to give tax breaks to permanent residents, and

·               Providing support to our business community.

Jon Russo

Fiscally responsible budgeting isn’t just about keeping numbers low on paper — it’s about making sure every dollar we spend provides real, lasting value for the people of New Fairfield. Over the past few years, we’ve seen how unexpected medical cost increases, property revaluation, and past borrowing decisions can put pressure on taxpayers. My approach is to dig into the details, ask hard questions, and ensure that we’re not simply rolling forward assumptions year after year but truly understanding what drives our costs. I believe in budgeting from a place of transparency and practicality. That means separating wants from needs, prioritizing critical infrastructure and town services, and exploring new non-tax revenue sources so that we’re not placing the entire burden on homeowners. It also means looking at long-term financial health — not just balancing this year’s budget but planning ahead so we can maintain our buildings, support our schools responsibly, and avoid surprise tax spikes. Most importantly, residents deserve to know how and why decisions are made. When people can see the facts clearly, they can trust that we’re being  thoughtful with their tax dollars while still investing in the future of our town.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Khris Hall

I look forward to serving New Fairfield again!

Jon Russo

I really want to reach the residents of this town. I want them to feel free to come forward and talk to me. I am always open to listen and hear where their pain points are. We are often compared to Brookfield. We could not be further removed from what Brookfield is. We are a one gas station town. We are all neighbors, we patronize our local small businesses, we talk and laugh at school and sports events with our kids. I so enjoy walking the fields and town and talking with everyone. New Fairfield is such a special place. We have so much in common and I think we often take this for granted. We all are trying to make ends meet, raise our kids and pay our bills while trying to enjoy what life holds for us. This is why my motto for this campaign is “Respecting New Fairfield’s traditions, while having a vision for the future.”