Town Council Candidates

  • Carrie Allen ran for Town Council four years ago because she believed Clinton’s new form of government wasn’t living up to its promise. During her first two years, she served in the minority but still found ways to advance progress alongside her colleague Chris Passante. In 2023, Democrats gained the majority on the Town Council with the support of Hank Teskey and Brian Roccapriore, and Carrie was elected Chair. In 2024, the Council hired Michelle Benivegna as Town Manager, and since then, Clinton’s forward momentum has become both visible and palpable.

  • Chris Passante has lived in Clinton for most of his 54 years. He and his wife, Becky, have seven children, all of whom have attended Clinton public schools and stayed active in local sports and community programs. Chris holds an MBA in finance and has worked in the financial services industry for over 30 years. A dedicated youth sports coach, he’s been a steady presence on the sidelines and in the community. His public service includes time on the Board of Education, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and now the Town Council, where he has worked closely with Carrie Allen to move Clinton forward with focus and purpose.

Board of Education Candidates

  • Erica Gelven wears many hats, using her training in developmental psychology to serve her community. She is an adjunct professor, specializing in the instruction of general psychology, personality, and human growth and behavior across the lifespan. With a passion for understanding physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development, Erica engages students in exploring how individuals change and adapt from infancy to adulthood. As an educator, she is dedicated to fostering critical thinking and encouraging her students to apply psychological theories to real-world scenarios. Erica has served as a member and chair of the Clinton Board of Education since 2016, bringing her perspective to budgetary and policy decisions to put children first. She is the mother of two children, successfully launched from the Clinton Public Schools, and has resided in Clinton with her husband since 2000.

  • Jason has resided in Clinton for over three decades, graduating from The Morgan School in 2003. With over 13 years of experience in public education, he currently serves as an assistant principal at Fairchild Wheeler Interdistrict Magnet Campus in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Prior to his current position, he held the role of supervisor of alternative education at the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center and was a middle school science teacher at Classical Studies Magnet Academy in Bridgeport. Additionally, he is a member of the Water Pollution Control Commission. Jason and his wife have two children enrolled in Clinton Public Schools. Jason is seeking a seat on the Board of Education to continue advocating for high-quality and equitable educational experiences for all students that foster innovation and critical thinking while providing support for their social and emotional development.

Police Commission Candidates

  • Lauren has spent all 36 years of her life in Clinton, and she never imagined that she would find herself working in a library. However, this role has turned out to be a perfect fit for her vibrant personality and her passion for helping to enhance her community. At the library, she channels her energy into creating a welcoming space that fosters a sense of connection and enrichment for all of Clinton's residents. Through her work, she is not only promoting literacy but also strengthening the bonds that make her community a wonderful place to live.

  • Marc has been a Clinton resident for over 25 years.  He has served as an EMT for 36 years and a member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department for over 23 years.  Marc also has over 30 years of professional Law Enforcement experience in Maryland and Connecticut.  After retiring from the Connecticut State Police with the rank of Master-Sergeant, he is currently employed as a Police Officer in Westbrook.  He is married and has raised two daughters in Clinton.

Zoning Board of Appeals Candidates

  • When moving to Clinton in 2018, Bruce brought with them a diverse background in business, customer service, and education. They earned an Associate’s degree in Food Retailing from Alfred State College and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Medaille College. Their career has included owning and operating a rural supermarket, managing a store for Wegmans, and leading a customer technical support department for an online learning company. Most recently, they served their community as a school bus driver in Madison before retiring. With decades of experience in service-oriented roles, they are committed to helping Clinton continue to grow as a welcoming and well-run community.

  • Before moving to Clinton in 2016, Laurie was a trial lawyer in Chicago for 30 years, as a partner in both a large and a small law firm. She was appointed to be an alternate member of the Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals in 2019 and a full member in 2020, and then was elected to a full seat on the ZBA in 2021. Since December 2022, when she was unanimously elected by the ZBA’s members as its Chair, she has been unanimously re-elected each year to continue as Chair. As an experienced incumbent, she always emphasizes that applications must satisfy the requirements for a hardship listed in the Town’s zoning regulations in order to be approved. If re-elected, she would continue to help Clinton move forward in a way that respects home and business owners’ requests while complying with the Town’s land use ordinances and environmental guidelines.

  • Terri is a lifelong CT resident and a Clinton resident since 2010. She has served as an alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals since February 2024 and as of July 2025 is filling a full seat. Terri spent 20 years working with Habitat for Humanity in the Hartford and Eastern CT area. The work included developing new residential housing in subdivisions; constructing new and renovating older single family homes in urban and rural settings, as well as improving commercial space for retail. This work experience gives Terri a real life understanding of the challenges associated with improving a property while complying with the intent of zoning regulations. She is committed to annual land use training, careful listening, objective review and attention to details in rendering decisions on behalf of the town.

Board of Assessment Appeals

  • Jim Segaloff has served for 35 years as the managing partner  of the New Haven based law firm of Susman, Duffy & Segaloff.  He has had extensive experience in real estate matters including the development of resident and commercial properties, property assessment issues and planning and zoning matters.  He served for ten years as chairman of the New Haven Civil Service Commission and is a past president of the Children's Hospital at Yale New Haven. He is currently a member of the Clinton Economic Development Commission.   

Planning & Zoning Candidates

  • Ellen has lived in Clinton full time since 2011, when she retired from a 36-year career in Biochemical Engineering. She grew up in Connecticut and, after high school in New Haven, attended the University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate and Rutgers University for graduate school. She has been a member of Clinton’s Planning and Zoning Commission since 2014. She was one of the organizers of the Clinton Charter Revision Coalition, the nonpartisan advocacy group that supported Clinton’s adoption of the council/manager form of government.

  • Michael is a retired Biology professor and academic administrator from the University of New Haven. He and his family have been active Clinton residents since 1992. In addition to serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission since 2000, Michael is a highly active member of St. Mary's  Church of the Visitation.

  • Cinzia Lettieri grew up in Clinton and is now raising her family here. She is a dedicated community advocate currently serving on Clinton’s Water Pollution Control and Planning & Zoning Commission. She also serves on P&Z’s subcommittee for the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development helping shape the town’s long-term vision.

    An educator and environmental leader, she brings a deep commitment to smart growth and sustainable infrastructure. Cinzia was recently appointed by Governor Ned Lamont to Connecticut’s Council on Environmental Quality, where she brings shoreline and municipal perspectives to state-level policy. 

Planning and Zoning Alternate

  • Sue has been a homeowner in Clinton for over 12 years and became a full-time resident four years ago. She has served as an Alternate Commissioner on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the past year, gaining valuable insight into the town’s development and planning process.

    Her early career was in banking, followed by several years dedicated to raising her two children. Once they reached middle school, she pursued a graduate degree and worked as an Art Therapist in a psychiatric hospital.