Getting to Know Danielle Chesebrough
Danielle Chesebrough, Stonington’s first Selectwoman, admits she needed the buddy bench. After years in New York, New Milford, and West Virginia, her family came to Stonington midway through her sophomore year in high school. Chesebrough notes that it was challenging to assimilate into the community at that age, but playing sports helped her make friends. Armed with a masters degree in social work for public policy from UCONN, she married her high school sweetheart and moved to New York where she landed a job with the United Nations working on corporate sustainability and responsible investment. After their second child, she and her husband made their way back, where his family’s roots run deep. William Chesebrough, “his great, great, many times over Grandfather” helped settle Stonington in the 1600s.
The future is about sustainability, educating people, and local everything
— Danielle Chesebrough
Politics
Chesebrough always knew she wanted to make a positive difference and public policy was a way to make a lasting, long-term impact. Although she loved her job at the UN, she worked on big, macro issues: sustainable development, multi-billion dollar funding gaps, child labor issues, climate change. “It was such a daunting task” she says.
Her run for a seat on Stonington’s Board of Finance was her first foray into politics. As an unaffiliated candidate, she approached both town committees looking for an endorsement. In the end, it was the Democrats who backed her and she prevailed. Looking back, “On the board of finance, you could make a difference at one meeting in one night” she notes. After her two year term, Chesebrough was approached to run for Selectwoman, and with the United Nation’s encouragement and flexibility, the working mother of three ran a positive campaign against John Prue, and won that too.
“The campaign was a wonderful experience. June (Strunk) was a great running mate who I worked with on the board of finance. She was a mentor.” Deborah Downie, also elected, completes the three-person, all female board, the first in the town’s history. “Deb is a licensed environmental professional and her background is so fitting for the town right now. The three of us work really well together. And John will still come in with ideas and different thoughts. It’s just so nice to have a positive working relationship” Danielle adds.
A lot has been made about the first female Board of Selectmen, but Danielle believes diversity comes in many forms. “There’s a really good gender mix on the boards and commissions, but we’re missing cultural and age diversity. When it comes down to age, retired people generally have more time to give.”
PRIORITIES
On any given day, there are a number of priorities that demand Danielle’s attention which require an inordinate amount of multi-tasking.
“Undeniably, our team has a bigger focus on mental health, domestic, and substance abuse issues which Covid seems to have exacerbated. A position for a liaison between Human Services and the police department has been created, and we’ve just announced a campaign with the United Way called 911 vs. 211. The plan is to steer mental health calls to 211. If it works, we’ll pilot the program across the state.” Chesebrough shares credit with the police department and Lisa Tepper Bates, the new President and CEO of United Way of Connecticut, who is also on the police commission.
With funding approved for the first time, the town will hire a consultant to review and make recommendations to modernize and simplify the zoning regulations. They’ll look at low-impact and greener approaches to development, signage, solar, stormwater drainage, and sea level rise. Planning and zoning will vote on the changes, and for big things, public hearings will be held to garner input. “Zoning can be one of the biggest obstacles for small businesses which is why we pushed for funding to redo our regulations. Businesses face uncertainty and want to know if we do A, B, and C, will we get to a yes at the end? We’re trying to streamline that.” Danielle says. Although she can’t speak to what happens in Stonington Borough since it has its own zoning board and regulations, she understands for the town of Stonington, it’s a big issue. She said she’s been speaking with Borough Warden Jeff Callahan and some of the Burgesses to see if they want to be part of it in any way, but it’s still in the early stages.
Then of course, there are issues and projects on the table such as parking in downtown Mystic; much-needed infrastructure improvements to the town docks; the circus lot in Pawcatuck; a Veteran’s monument; and a land preservation initiative on Al Harvey Road that involves Avalonia Land Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, Aquarion Water Company, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
During the height of the pandemic, “we worked quickly to distribute PPE and interpret and communicate the ever-changing executive orders. We were one of the first towns in Connecticut to temporarily change zoning regulations to allow for dining in parking lots. Our goal was to share our businesses’ voices with the state — give them an on-the-ground perspective to help them make better decisions. The governor’s team and the state were having weekly calls and they were interested and open in hearing our feedback” Danielle says.
The Future of the Borough
Although the Borough doesn’t have big development opportunities like the Perkins Farm site or the Mystic River Boathouse, Chesebrough feels there are a few ways the Borough can look to the future. Aside from the infrastructure work at the docks, there may be opportunities to leverage the specific capabilities of the dock to find ways to bring more jobs to the area. “Whitecrest Eatery, Woodfellas Pizza, and Beer’d Brewing Co. have been amazing for the Velvet Mill. What could they do to attract additional anchor businesses? In the last few years they’ve added a diverse group of restaurants” she says. “And La Grua Center is an excellent example of a mixed use space” Danielle added.
As far as other ideas? Encouraging more local farms, local fish, local shopping. “The future…” Danielle says, “…is about sustainability, educating people, and local everything.”
Asked if she has a happy place in Stonington Borough, Danielle responds enthusiastically, “Yes! Wall Street at the edge of the nature preserve, down there on the rocks. My husband and I got engaged there.”
Don’t miss the next scheduled “Discussion with Danielle” on June 30th, 2021 at 5 pm at Stonington Town Hall at 152 Elm Street. It’s an opportunity to ask questions, address concerns, and share ideas.