Ellen Scalettar's First Few Weeks on The Job

First Selectman Ellen Scalettar would be the first to tell you how fortunate Woodbridge is to have such a talented and dedicated team working in Town Hall.

With just about a month under her belt as the town's newly elected chief executive officer, Scalettar is learning that firsthand. A resident since 1990, Scalettar was sworn in as First Selectman on June 28.

She takes the office that was held for three terms by the late Edward Sheehy, who passed away on April 22 of this year, just a few weeks before the election. 

In her speech upon being sworn in, Scalettar said, "Woodbridge has benefitted from outstanding and dedicated leadership in the office of First Selectman, and I would like to recognize those who are here today ... Thank you to all of you. And a very special thank you to Beth Heller, who so ably and generously took the reins for the last two months, during this very difficult time for the Town."

Patch caught up with Scalettar recently, on a morning after she had her first meeting with all the department heads. She sat in her office in the second floor of Town Hall, a vase of fresh flowers nearby — a welcoming gift from a resident.

"My message was how much I appreciate what they've done over the last few months," Scalettar said. "They have been professional and responsible and dedicated to their jobs. They put the town first."

"It was an excellent exchange of information," she added.

She'll continue those full team meetings once a month, she said, and also be working individually with each of them. 

As Scalettar looks ahead, one of the biggest issues she would like to tackle is the matter of the Country Club of Woodbridge property.

In her speech on June 28, she said, "I will work with the Board of Selectmen to establish an ad hoc Special Committee to review and assess the options available to assure that the Country Club property best meets the needs of the people of Woodbridge, and that we have a robust, fact-based discussion of those options." 

Another goal for Scalettar will be to increase communication with the community. 

"Woodbridge has incredible resources and there are many wonderful things going on in town," she said.

Yet she feels the town can do a better job of making all residents aware of those resources, so she'll be looking to develop an improved method of communication with the public.

Regardless of what that will be, she encourages residents to use one of the existing ways to get a hold of her — via phone, email or in person.

• escalettar@woodbridgect.org
• 203-389-3401
• Her office is in the second floor of Town Hall, 11 Meetinghouse Lane, Woodbridge