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Bob Hammersley
Current Chairman - Planning & Zoning Commission
Since 1999 I have called Southington home. Here I have raised, with my wife, four children. Currently I am the Vice President of Administration and Finance for a top tier consulting firm.
Throughout my life I have valued the importance of giving back to the community as a vital part of living in the great town of Southington. My involvement has provided me with an appreciation that through diversity of opinion, respectful discourse and collaboration we all have an important role to lend in creating a town that is second to none. My previous public service has been with multiple community organizations, including the Southington First Congregational Church, Southington North Little League, Flanders E.S. PTA, Southington Conservation Commission, Southington Economic Development Strike Force Committee and, for the past five years, the Southington Planning and Zoning Commission. I have also been fortunate to have been elected unanimously by my fellow commissioner as the Chairman of the PZC since November 2019. In my role on the Southington PZC, I have diligently worked to strategically plan and implement commercial and industrial growth which, in turn, has provided hundreds of jobs in Southington, with a strong tax base that has allowed us to keep our residential taxes lower for the community. Working as a collective group, regardless of party affiliation, we have done this while also acquiring and preserving hundreds of acres of open space. As we have done throughout my term as Chairman, I have placed the highest value in providing all our citizens with the opportunity to express their opinions. It is my sincere belief that through civil debate that is focused on building a better community we reach the best possible decisions on behalf of Southington. Finally, we are fortunate to live in a town that offers diversity of quality-of-life options. Whether it’s the variety of quality dining options, the vibrance of recreational activities or the tranquility of passive natural spaces. As you make your decision on which candidate to support in November, its important to remember that these are finite resources. If given the opportunity to continue to serve on Southington’s Planning and Zoning Commission, I will continue my efforts to preserve our town’s natural resources including Southington’s farmlands, wildlife corridors and recreational spaces. In addition, I will focus on land preservation through smart and community-collaborative zoning regulation revisions along with strong alignment with the Town Council for the continued acquisition of appropriate open spaces where possible; working in collaboration with the town’s economic development director to attract new businesses (both commercial and industrial) and enhancing our tax base. |