
MEET YOUR
2025 CANDIDATES
Be sure to vote!
Professional Photography by John Houchin

Sue Spang
First Selectwoman & Board of Education
• 38-year resident of Salem • Proud parent of two graduates of Salem School and East Lyme High School. • Served on the Recreation Commission for 16 years, 15 as Chairperson. • Oversaw the installation of the Babe Ruth Field, Volunteer Park, the refurbishing of the Round Hill Road playscape and the creation of the tennis and basketball courts. • As Chairperson of the Multi-Purpose Path Committee, I personally wrote competitive grants and received over $500,000 for construction of the path, including a community-built bridge • Other volunteer activities include working on Emergency Management, the 2012 Plan of Conservation and Development, Registrar of Voters, Open Space Committee Member and Municipal Agent for the Elderly, where I proactively sought out training by TVCCA to conduct intake for heating assistance for our residents. • I am currently Vice Chairman of the Board of Education. • As Personnel Committee Chairperson, we successfully settled contracts that were under the state average. Interests include bee keeping, photography and quilting. • "As First Selectperson, I will continue to build on my 20+ years of experience of working together in cooperation, respect, and transparency. Uniting Salem for a Stronger Community." I PLEDGE TO: • Open the Salem, CT Government Charter for revisions • Settle the GLFD lawsuit • Review the Emergency Study for possible committee • Institute policies for appointments • Institute a policy for the Needy Fund • Train/educate board and commission chairman on roles and responsibilities and on town processes • Secure ongoing education on FOIA • Build better working relationships with all town volunteer groups • Foster more transparency, especially where town finances are concerned • Ensure respectful dialog at town meetings and public hearings • Endeavor to share services within town and with others towns • Review Town Ordinances • Form a Cemetery Committee

Gary Closius
Selectman
• 28-year resident of Salem. • Moved to Salem for its excellent school system and rural small-town environment. • Parent to two Salem School and ELHS graduates. • Currently serve Salem as an Alternate Member of the Planning and Zoning Commission as well as an active volunteer for Care and Share of East Lyme and Salem, President of the Salem Senior Citizens Group, a Lions Club member, and a member of the Friends of the Salem Library. Served Salem’s Cub Scout/Boy Scouting community for more than 20 years. • BS, Nuclear Science from State University of New York Maritime College. Held a U.S. Coast Guard 3rd Assistant Engineer License, and a Commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Retiree from Millstone Nuclear Power Station after 43 years of service with more than 20 years managing department personnel and a multi-million-dollar budget and advising executive and line management on the interpretation of, and compliance with, NRC, other federal, state, and regional agencies’ regulations. • "Excited to continue to work for Salem residents to ensure the Planning and Zoning Commission provides clear regulations and consistent interpretation of those regulations to effectively manage Salem’s growth consistent with Salem residents’ wants and needs."

Diane Weston
Board of Selectman
• 38-year resident of Salem • Former employee of the Town of Salem (Rec Program Coordinator, Building Dept. Admin. Assistant, recording secretary for the Board of Selectman, Rec. Commission, School Renovation Committee, and the Board of Assessment Appeals • "I will strive to ensure the Board of Selectman works together in a bipartisan manner and as a team for the issues put before us. I am committed to representing all residents on the Town of Salem Board of Selectmen."

Matt Rucci
Board of Finance
• 13-year resident of Salem • Parent to Salem School students • BS, Business Management from Providence College; MBA, concentration in Finance from U of Hartford • IT professional with multi-sector experience • 2-year member of the Board of Finance • "I'm excited to continue to work to guide Salem’s finances."

Jennifer Rucci
Board of Education
• Lifelong resident of Salem • Parent to 3, 2 currently attending Salem Schools • UCONN graduate working as the Off-Campus Clinical Coordinator for Southern CT State University • Brings expertise in communication, problem-solving, and supporting children's success • "I'm committed to ensuring safe, supportive, and high-quality schools for all Salem students."

Art Nagel
Board of Education
• 27-year Salem Resident • Proud parent of daughter who graduated from ELHS and a co-guardian of grandchild who attends Salem School • MBA, Engineering from Case Western Reserve University • Retired from EB after 20 years • Was the CT 2023 Chess960 Champion and has hiked all Salem Land Trust marked trails • "Having a dyslexic grandson, a daughter with ADD, and having ADD myself, I could contribute a different perspective to educational policy. I will fight against including religious indoctrination & politicized history in the classroom."

Maria Cuadros
Board of Education
• Professional experience in education systems and budgeting, background in business • Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Marketing • Master of Arts in Teaching in Early ChildhoodSpecial Education • Dedicated to ensuring a high-quality education for all students.

Perry Raulerson
Board of Education
• 12-year resident of Salem • Proud parent to 3 children in Salem School and ELHS • Volunteers as an assistant scoutmaster and has been assistant coach in Salem t-ball/baseball for many years • B.S. from Massachusetts Maritime Academy • Works for Electric Boat and has spent 20+ years in leadership across multiple submarine programs in engineering, designing, building, repairing, and testing • "I'm enthusiastic about continuing the Salem BOE's vision for doing our best for the town's children."

Dennis Girard
Board of Assessment Appeals
• 37-year Salem Resident • Proud parent of two Salem School and ELHS graduates. • Earned a BA degree in Biology (Microbiology) from UCONN and an MS degree in Immunology from the University of Hartford. • Prior to retirement, he was a Senior Principal Research Scientist at Pfizer Global Research and Development in Groton where he headed a Preclinical Infectious Diseases lab researching the PK/PD properties of newly discovered antimicrobial agents for 35 years. • Was involved with Boy Scouts and Little League baseball for many years. He is a 4th degree member of the KofC in Colchester serving as the Advocate Officer, this council is involved with many charitable activities serving the public as well as Guardian Angels parish throughout the year and have served at the Covenant Soup Kitchen. • Also serves as Lector and Eucharistic Minister for St Andrew Church. • “I look forward to serving the Town of Salem and learning about the assessment appeals process.”

Jen Lindo
Zoning Board of Appeals
• 50+year Salem Resident • Salem School and East Lyme High School Graduate and Parent to Salem School and ELHS Graduate • Previously served on the Planning and Zoning Commission • Currently employed as a Zoning Enforcement Official for multiple towns • Previously employed for 16 years for the Town of East Lyme Land Use offices working directly with officials, applicants, and commissions. • Currently hold multiple certifications including Aquifer Protection, Inland Wetland Agent and AZT • "Personal interest in Salem and professional education and career uniquely prepared me for this role"

Tony Griggs
Planning & Zoning Commission
• 45-year resident of Salem • Parent to 2 Salem School graduates • Became one of the technical members of the original Virtual Town Meeting (VTM. Ran the VTM system for several town meetings with Chris Regan. Maintained and upgraded the Town Office VTM system. • BSEE / MSEE with 40+ years experience in electronic design, embedded systems and software. • Licensed radio amateur (AA1JN). • Currently serving volunteer as a Steward for Salem Land Trust and on the Board of Directors for the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Coordinating Committee • "I believe that my time as a Salem resident with my exposure to land use issues from SLT and ERWSCC gives me a background to resolve zoning issues. Salem School and the community environment are beneficial for families."

Sophie Arustei
Planning & Zoning Commission, Alternate
• 18-year resident of Salem • Growing up in Salem has given her a deep appreciation for the town's strong sense of community and the natural beauty that surrounds it • Bachelors in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven • Currently pursuing master's degree • Works locally in the healthcare and retail field • "I look forward to helping Salem grow in ways that respect both its environment and its small-town character."

Kim Hargrave
Planning & Zoning Commission
• 8-year resident of Salem • Proud mom of 4, 2 of whom have graduated from ELHS, 1 currently enrolled at Salem School • 25+ years as the Executive Director at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center • "I'm excited for the opportunity to serve on the Planning and Zoning Board to help ensure responsible development that reflects Salem's values."

Sarah Diamond
Planning and Zoning Commission
• 4-year resident of Salem • Spent her childhood visiting her grandparents in Salem • Masters in Landscape Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design • Works as a Landscape Designer and Project Manager with a focus on ecological adaptation of post agricultural landscapes • Spent the last 6 months serving as an appointed PZC Alternate
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Mary Cikatz
Library Board of Directors - 4 year position
• 40+year resident of Salem • Parent to 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren • Retired technology facilitator specialist • BS in Chemistry from St. Joseph College in West Hartford • Served on the library board for about 8 years and is currently its recording secretary • Currently VP of the Salem Senior Group and member of the Friends of the Salem Free Public Library • "The wonderful library that Salem has is an integral part of our community, and I'd like to continue to work to keep it that way and expand it further."

Mary E. Whittaker
Library Board of Directors
• Retired middle school science teacher • B.S. from the University of Rhode Island 1980 • Active Member of the Salem Seniors • Lifelong lover of books and reading • Supporter of libraries and their patrons • "I would be proud to serve the town of Salem on the Library Board. I am capable and willing to listen, learn, communicate, and contribute to this integral part of our community."

Becky Nortz
Zoning Board of Appeals & Library Board of Directors
• 39-year resident of Salem and a 45-year resident of CT • Proud parent of two Salem School and ELHS graduates • Former Salem Girl Scout Troop Leader for 17 years with two troops for four of those years. One of her troops produced the first 3 Girl Scout Gold Award recipients from a Salem troop. • Has served on the Zoning Board of Appeals since the early 1990s including several years serving as chair, and is currently an alternate member. • Earned a BS from St. Lawrence University. • Recently retired from a career in pharmaceutical research and regulatory affairs. • “The Zoning Board of Appeals works to ensure that the zoning regulations in Salem are applied fairly and in support of balanced growth and Salem's rural character.” • “The library serves everyone in the community and it would be an honor and a privilege to assist the library in continuing to thrive.”
