Legislative Council Sixth District: Democrat Tom Rousseau

• Hamden Board of Education   Member/Secretary 8 years

• Hamden Board of Education Past Building Committee Chair 8 years

• Hamden Town Council  6th District Councilman 4 years. Chair/Vice Chair/Member Various Committee's

• Hamden Town Building Committee Member

• Spring Glen Civic Association Past President, Past Treasurer

• Hamden Democratic Town Committee Past Member, Chairman 6th District

• Spring Glen School Past PTA President

As my above resume exhibits, I have been deeply involved in many aspects of Hamden's Municipal, Education, and Civic Boards, Councils and Associations. I have a deep belief that I have a responsibility to be a part of how Hamden is run, and the Legislative Council has the ultimate responsibility to oversee that the Town is in good stead.

Hamden is facing one of the most important times in its history. The future of Hamden is at stake and the decisions that are made in the next few years will determine that future.

As we all are aware, the Pension Fund Balance is precariously close to collapsing. Going back many years, the Annual Contribution has been far below the dollars paid out. And the financial disaster in 2008 just added more problems. The Council has approved examining a solution with Pension Obligation Bonds. This is an alternative to "pay as you go" or possible bankruptcy. This is being put together now. But this is no "Silver Bullet." There are costs to using this method. These are not tax free bonds, they depend on the Stock Market success, and they also depend on the town's current and past employees being a part of the solution by renegotiating current and past labor contracts. 

Hamden is well known for having excellent services for its citizens, a well respected school system, and current responsible leadership. But that comes at a price of higher property taxes. I want to make sure that in the process of solving the "Pension Problem", we do not "tear down" the town services or the educational system and also not having higher tax increases. It is a crucial time for due diligence on all matters affecting Hamden