MEET CURRENT MEMBERS

MEET YOUR CURRENT BOARD & COMMISSION MEMBERS

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

The Board of Selectmen is the primary executive body of the Town. The First Selectman is the Chief Executive Officer responsible for routine and emergent municipal operations. As the Chief Elected Official, this position, represents the Township in local, state and regional civic and business affairs.

Photography by John Houchin

TJ Butcher

Board of Selectman Member

T.J. has been a proud volunteer in Salem since 1988. He has coached Tball, baseball, softball, President of the Salem Softball league, supervised the teen rec league basketball and coached youth league basketball. He has served on the Salem Board of Finance, serving as Chair for 4 years, the Salem Democratic Town Committee, serving as Chair for 4 years, the Salem Land Trust and the Salem Unsung Hero’s Committee. He is also a DEEP Master Wildlife Conservationist volunteering at the Zemko Pond Wildlife Management Area here in Salem.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The Board of Education shall manage the education system of the Town, including the buildings, property and resources used to provide education as provided under the Connecticut General Statutes.

Tiffany Cunningham

Building Committee Member

Since joining the Board of Education in 2017, I have focused on long term planning, exploring shared services and a strategic plan. My goal for the next term will be to steer the development of an overarching strategic plan as well as maintaining the morale and high academic standards of the Salem School District

Sue Spang

Board of Education

• 36-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."

Jen Rucci

Board of Education

Jennifer (Jen) Rucci has been a life long Salem resident, returning to town in 2013 to raise her family with husband Matt. Jen has been a member of the Board of Education following appointment in 2018 and election in 2019 and serves as secretary and Policy Chair. Jen is a speech language pathologist who worked for over 10 years in skilled nursing facilities across New England. In 2022, Jen joined the staff of Southern CT State University where she is a clinical instructor in the masters level speech pathology program. When not working or conducting Board of Education business, Jen enjoys coaching softball for her two older daughter Eleanor and Josie in town. Recently Jen and Matt welcomed a new member to their family, Lucy born in April of 2023.

BOARD OF FINANCE

The Board of Finance shall oversee the finances of the Town and prepare a budget for approval by Town Meeting.

Janet Griggs

Board of Finance

Coming soon...

Matt Rucci

Board of Finance

• 11-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."

PLANNING & ZONING

The Planning and Zoning Commission shall have the responsibilities of both a planning commission and zoning commission. For planning, the commission shall prepare, adopt, and maintain a master plan of development for the Town based on physical, social, economic, and governmental conditions and trends to promote coordinated development and the general welfare and prosperity of the Town. For zoning, the commission shall adopt and administer a comprehensive zoning plan designed to direct and control the use and development of property.

Dr. Diba Khan-Bureau

Planning & Zoning Commission Member

Diba wants to ensure that Salem is prepared for any projected growth. She believes a well-balanced plan is necessary for housing, business, and agriculture. Diba wants Salem to be prepared for climate change and its potential impact on our town. She believes in sustainable practices to protect the biodiversity of our environment in Salem and believes in a diverse community and community well-being.

Gary Closius

Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate

• 25-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."

BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS

The Board of Assessment Appeals shall, in accordance with the General Statutes, hear appeals from taxpayers who believe the Town has erred in the valuation of their real estate and personal properties.

Dennis Girard

Board of Assessment Appeals Member

• 36-year resident of Salem and 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. • 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). • Serves as Lector and Eucharistic Minister for St Andrew Church. • Enjoys hiking, biking, long distance canoe racing and reading in his spare time. • “I look forward to serving the Town of Salem and learning about the assessment appeals process”

NEWS FLASH! Salem Town Budget to be Considered at Town Meeting May 1st Learn More