Andy Paterna is a South Windsor Democrat running for a position on the town council. He has served previously as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of South Windsor, and has held prior positions on the town council.
Paterna has lots of experience within South Windsor’s local government, and has been able to work on a number of projects during his time as a town council member. One project he is particularly proud of is the installation of solar panels on all town-owned buildings, making South Windsor the first town in Connecticut to achieve this.
Paterna also expressed pride when discussing the economic development of South Windsor, and the introduction of more opportunities for businesses.
“We brought Costco to town, Whole Foods, [and] we revitalized Evergreen Walk with a new management company,” said Paterna.
Despite the achievement of his past goals, Andy Paterna remains focused on what goals he maintains for the future of South Windsor.
Economic development is an initiative that is at the forefront of Paterna’s goals for town council. He is specifically focused on encouraging the presence of more new businesses within South Windsor.
According to Paterna, “Economic development is always important because if people are concerned about taxes, you have to bring in some businesses to pay some of those property taxes to keep residential taxes at a reasonable level.”
In regards to ‘bringing in’ businesses, Paterna highlights the opportunity to develop South Windsor’s multiple vacant lots, and feels that compromises on these properties could be made for the sake of economic growth. To encourage new businesses to develop these vacant lots, Paterna plans to offer tax abatements, or incentives, which would allow businesses to pay lower initial tax rates on the property.
To those who criticize this strategy for bringing in developers, Paterna encourages viewing it through a long-term lens.
“They’re the biggest taxpayers in the town now. So it’s shortsighted to say we don’t want to give you a tax abatement because we’re losing money. [It’s] short term loss of money. It’s worth it to get the company in here and have them pay,” Paterna told The Prowl.
Additionally, Paterna, alongside the South Windsor Democrats, maintains a strong focus on education, and prioritizes investing in South Windsor schools.
Paterna expressed some disappointment with cuts to this year’s education budget, and hopes that as a member of the town council, he can work to expand the education budget as “an investment in the future”. He encourages others to adopt this view on education spending, keeping focus on the bigger picture.
Paterna cites a feeling of duty and obligation, as both a South Windsor resident and former parent to South Windsor students, to support education initiatives through taxes.
“When I moved to this town, my kids went to school, and other taxpayers helped pay the bill. Now it’s my turn to do the same for other families coming into town,” explained Andy Paterna.
Andy Paterna stepped down from the town Council in 2023 for personal reasons, but felt an obligation to return to the council this year.
“Well, I refer to President Obama. He said, ‘You can’t wait for somebody else to do it, sometimes you’re the person who has to stand up and do it yourself’, so I decided to run again,” Andy Paterna told The Prowl.
