Thomaston, CT Democrats

11/01/2025

We would like to thank CT Lieutenant Governor - Susan Bysiewicz for her endorsement of Jeff Dunn for First Selectman.

Please go vote on November 4th!!!

11/01/2025

10/29/2025

Time to clock in thomaston. Early voting has started from now until November 2nd. Election Day is November 4th, polls are open from 6:00 am until 8:00 pm.

10/27/2025

Thomaston, it’s time for your voice to be heard. Let’s bring respect, balance, and accountability back to our town!

Thomaston Democratic Town Committee

10/20/2025

Meet Bob Norton Jr., incumbent candidate for Fire Commission and sixth generation Thomaston resident! Bob is a proud volunteer and has been a Thomaston Fire Commissioner since 2019, he looks forward to continuing in his role. He has 30 years of fire service experience, 23 of them in Thomaston. He has also served as a member of Thomaston Ambulance for many years.

Bob has a long list of credentials, making him an ideal candidate for the fire commission. His certifications include Fire Service Instructor II, Fire Marshal, Building Official and Emergency Medical Technician. He also holds multiple fire service-related training programs from Naugatuck Valley Community College and the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg Maryland.

Bob works full-time for the State of Connecticut as a Trainer for the Fire Marshal Certification Program and the Building Official Licensure Program. He also works part time at H&R Block as a Senior Tax Specialist. He enjoys spending time with his family and his girlfriend, Heather. His hobbies include watching the Red Sox, re-learning to golf, comedy shows, going to Hampton Beach and cruise vacations.

As a lifelong resident of Thomaston, he has a passion of serving the community and strives to help the fire department and the town be the best that it can be. The fire service is always changing and are faced with many unfunded mandates and training requirements. Bob believes the fire commission must monitor these changes and work with the Chief Officers to ensure we meet and exceed them.

10/19/2025

Meet David Shypinka, incumbent candidate for Board of Assessment Appeals and every week David, and his wife Becky, hand wind the clock in the Town Hall clock tower and gazebo at Kenea Park; he is a real life “Clock Tender.”

As a lifelong Thomaston resident; David, his two children and three step children have all attended and graduated from Thomaston school system. Dave lives in town with his wife, Becky, and is currently relaxing after recently retiring with over 27 years of service to the town of Thomaston!

Throughout his life, he has also shown a strong dedication to the community, including 45+ years as a volunteer firefighter. His public service also includes multiple terms on the Board of Assessment Appeals and the Capital Improvements Committee. He continues to volunteer his time weekly to wind the clock tower and gazebo clock.

Dave’s dedication to his family, his community and to the town of Thomaston shine through in everything he does. Dave is looking forward to continuing his role on Board of Assessment Appeals and doing what he does best, working towards a better Thomaston.

10/18/2025

Meet Joe Calabro, candidate for Library Board of Trustees and a writer whose novel ‘Gone Troppo’ released in 2024 and is available in the Thomaston Public Library! Joe looks forward to increasing the connections between the town library and our schools' libraries, with the goal of innovating curriculum, and career opportunities for our students and patrons through shared resources, programs and joint activities.

Joe is a retired English Teacher, having taught at Pomperaug High School from 1979 to 2014. He is currently a Study Skills and Language Arts Tutor at the University of Connecticut.

Joe enjoys serving his community and volunteers his time at the Fine Arts Council and Writers Group. He earned both a Bachelors and Masters degree from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Humanistic Education from Sacred Heart University.

Joe believes that an educated society is a rational society. A local library can contribute much to the knowledge of its citizens.

10/17/2025

Meet Barbara Lee, incumbent candidate for the Library Board of Trustees and lover of pickleball! Barbara is presently serving her fifth year on the Library Board. While she steadfastly serves on library committees, Barbara is committed to continuing her hard work for another six years.

Barbara has resided in Thomaston for 25 years with her husband, Robert. Her son, Alex, a former Board of Education member, graduated from Thomaston High School. Her daughter Debbie was a Thomaston resident for over seven years. Barbara always makes time to spend with her two grandchildren and in her spare time she enjoys sewing and guitar.

Barbara worked as a paraprofessional in the Thomaston School system for 23 years, including four years in the Thomaston High School library. Barbara has also volunteered as co-chair of the food pantry at Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Barb is committed to giving her time and endless energy to ensure our library continues to meet the needs of our community. She has been serving on the steering, property maintenance, and personnel subcommittees of the Library Board of Trustees. She readily participates in numerous library activities.

The future of our town library depends on diligent efforts by all with constant support of the library director and her staff. As a priority, our library assets and budget items require dedicated, competent management. The library must remain a precious and core town resource by updating the circulation desks, upgrading current materials, and expanding resources for all age groups.

10/16/2025

Meet Cathy Dupont, incumbent candidate for Town Clerk and grandma extraordinaire! Cathy is running for her ninth term as Town Clerk representing over 30 years in office! She has enjoyed serving as Town Clerk to the residents of Thomaston and looks forward to continue serving the town. Her expertise and knowledge in her position is not only an asset to the town but she also serves as an information hub for surrounding towns.

Cathy is a graduate from Western Connecticut State University with her BS in Community Health Education and she is a certified Municipal Town Clerk. She is also a realtor for Stone Crest Realty in Thomaston.

Cathy has lived in Thomaston for the past 40 years with her loving husband and lifelong Thomaston resident, Roger. Together they raised their three children and each graduated from the Thomaston Public School system. Cathy enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, who are also being raised in town.

Cathy’s volunteer accolades are abundant. She is the Litchfield County Town Clerk’s Association VP, Treasurer for the Laura Andrew’s Free Library Association, Secretary of the Blakeslee Scholarship Committee, Assistant Treasurer for the Town of Thomaston and volunteer for the Thomaston Beautification Committee.

With her continued commitment to the town, Cathy looks forward to continuing to serve the community of Thomaston for another four years!

10/15/2025

Meet Becky Shypinka, a dedicated candidate for the Board of Education who was proudly born on a U.S. military base! She is a dedicated community member and advocate for education and youth development in Thomaston.

With six years of service on the Board of Education, serving two as Chairperson, she has been instrumental in shaping policies and initiatives that enhance the educational experience for students in the district.

Becky has also volunteered her time for other organizations and events in the community, including time on the Thomaston Education Enrichment Fund, the Plan of Conservation and Development committee, Thomaston Bears Booster Club, and the Diane Burr Road Race. Her involvement reflects a deep commitment to the community and a passion for encouraging the next generation to excel both academically and athletically.

Becky has three children and two step-children, who are all graduates of the Thomaston Public Schools. She lives with her husband David, a life-long resident of Thomaston. Becky’s family values and community ties are central to her identity, and she takes pride in contributing to the town's growth and development.

Professionally, Becky is employed as a Business Analyst at a large insurance company, where she utilizes her analytical skills to drive improvements and efficiencies within the organization. Her expertise in business analysis complements her community involvement, as she brings a strategic mindset to both her professional and volunteer endeavors.

Through her dedication to education, sports, and community service, Becky continues to make a meaningful impact in Thomaston, inspiring others to engage and contribute to the well-being of the community.

10/14/2025

Meet Cara Lascko Files, candidate for the Board of Education and a second-generation educator! Inspired by her mother’s example, Cara developed a lifelong passion for teaching and is dedicated to helping every student thrive. As a lifelong resident, graduate of Thomaston High, and parent of an 8th and 3rd grader, she is committed to ensuring all kids in town receive an equitable and innovative education that prepares them for success.

For over 20 years, Cara has taught in both the Waterbury and Hartford Public School systems. She has extensive experience mentoring new teachers as a cooperating teacher for several state universities and in TEAM, designing curriculum across subject areas, and was recognized as Duggan Elementary’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Cara holds degrees in Art Education, Holistic Thinking, and Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Computer Science Instruction, along with national credentials as a Google Certified Educator and ISTE Certified Educator.

Beyond the classroom, she leads her school’s philanthropy team, guiding students in fundraising for organizations such as Connecticut Children’s Hospital, the Saint Mary’s Foundation for Breast Cancer, and the United Way of Greater Waterbury—resources that also benefit Thomaston families.

On the Board of Education, Cara plans to focus on retaining highly qualified teachers by ensuring they have the professional growth and support they need. She believes our district needs strong leadership at the superintendent level that emphasizes student retention, staff well-being, and trust with families and educators. She will also work to ensure the budget reflects community values by focusing on student achievement, fair compensation, and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars, while keeping student needs central as the town reviews the facilities study.

Cara is ready to strengthen communication and trust between families, educators, and the district, support teachers, and keep students at the center of every decision. Together, we can build on Thomaston’s strengths and create schools that reflect our community’s values and prepare children for bright futures.

10/13/2025

Meet Jimmy Pretty Jr, candidate for Town Treasurer and proud dog dad! He is running because he believes residents deserve financial oversight they can trust. He will bring transparency and integrity to managing town finances—ensuring records are
accurate, the public is informed, and our town remains financially stable. He brings strong organizational skills, a track record of public service, and a deep love for this town.

In his day to day, Jimmy is a Case Manager for the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and has worked at DMHAS since 2000. He earned his Associate’s Degree in Human Services from Naugatuck Valley Community College. With a strong commitment to public service and mental health advocacy, in his role he facilitates psycho-educational groups focused on mental health, wellness, and recovery. He also leads social-rehabilitation groups that support individuals in developing healthy relationship and communication skills.
He has served as an alternate on the Planning and Zoning Committee and remains an active supporter of a variety of seasonal charities.

He’s been proud to call Thomaston home for most of his life. His family moved here in 1979, and has remained deeply rooted in the community ever since. Both he and his stepfather volunteered with the Thomaston Ambulance, an experience that instilled a strong sense of civic duty and care for others.

Jimmy currently lives in town with his husband, Chris, and their dog, Anya, in his family home. They enjoy spending time kayaking, supporting local events, and giving back to the community that has given them so much. Thomaston’s small-town spirit, close-knit neighborhoods, and shared values are part of why he wants to contribute to its future through public service.

Thomaston has given so much to Jimmy and his family. He’s ready to give back—by making sure our finances are handled with the honesty, clarity, and responsibility our residents deserve.