Re-Elect Jim Zeoli, First Selectman

Jim is no stranger to hard work. His commitment to the people of Orange is undeniable. Jim has always given freely of his time for Orange, serving as a volunteer fireman for over 20 years, past Assistant Treasurer of the Volunteer Fire Association and Co-Chairman of the Orange Agricultural Fair.

Orange is a wonderful town with excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and protected green spaces.

This didn’t happen by accident. Sound town management and fiscal planning by our First Selectman and his Republican team has enabled us to achieve many objectives for the people of Orange. Add to that a strong spirit of volunteerism, and you have a formula for success.
Excellent schools require strong financial planning. Education comprises over 61% of our budget, so Jim Zeoli and our Board of Finance pay close attention to the requirements of both Amity Regional and Orange elementary schools and the need to keep your taxes under control.

Jim Zeoli, working with our Boards of Education and Finance, made sure that funds were available to modify our schools, allowing them to remain safely open. Orange schools were one of less than 3% of school systems statewide to have in-school learning during the COVID pandemic.

Safe neighborhoods require the strong support of our police and Orange Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD). We continue to support our police with needed upgrades to communications, fleet, and other requirements.

A spirit of volunteerism is strong in Orange. From people who serve on our boards and commissions to those who work behind the scenes at our town events to our volunteer fire department, these people help make Orange a great place to live.

Open space acquisition has greatly increased during Jim Zeoli’s time in office. As a result of sound management and strong economic development, we were able to achieve S&P's AAA bond rating. This lowers the cost of borrowing for open space purchases.

We continue to protect our community’s green character through strategic open space purchases. The acquisition of the Racebrook Country Club was an important step in controlling its future development while generating revenue for the town. Orange has recently acquired land on Wheeler’s Farm Road.

These objectives could only have been achieved with the sound management practices of Jim Zeoli and his team, along with the volunteers who help out at our events and serve on our boards and commissions.