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Patch Candidate Profile: Amybeth Laroche For Newtown Board Of Finance

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  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 11:43 GMT by Patch
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Newtown’s Next Finance Leader? A Deep Dive into Amybeth LaRoche’s Candidacy

On the patch.com “Newtown” front page, a short but punchy profile of Amybeth LaRoche lands squarely in the spotlight: she’s running for one of the three seats on the town’s Board of Finance. The piece offers a snapshot of LaRoche’s background, her vision for Newtown’s fiscal future, and a quick look at the board itself—plus a handful of internal links that give readers a deeper context about the town’s political structure and the election process. Below is a close‑read of what the article says, and why it matters for anyone who cares about Newtown’s budget, taxes, and governance.

Who Is Amybeth LaRoche?

According to the profile, LaRoche is a lifelong Newtown resident who has spent the last decade building a career in real‑estate development and property management. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut and later completed a Master’s in Public Administration at Yale University’s School of Management. The article stresses that her academic background “has given her a deep understanding of the intersection between public policy, private enterprise, and community wellbeing.”

LaRoche’s résumé also boasts several local‑service credits. She served as a volunteer on the Newtown Historical Society board for six years and was a founding member of the “Newtown Green Spaces” coalition that pushed for the town’s first large‑scale park upgrade. In 2021, the town council appointed her to the Municipal Advisory Board on Housing, where she helped draft a policy that increased the availability of affordable housing units in the central district.

Why Finance?

LaRoche explains that her interest in the Board of Finance stems from a belief that “money is a tool, not a burden.” Her experience in real estate management, she says, has taught her how to spot inefficiencies and translate them into savings. She cites an example from her professional life: negotiating a lease renewal for a vacant commercial building that yielded a 12‑percent increase in rental revenue for the property owner while simultaneously boosting the town’s tax base.

In the context of Newtown—a town that ranks among the highest property‑tax states in the U.S.—LaRoche’s message is one of fiscal restraint. She pledges to pursue “strategic, evidence‑based budgeting,” which she describes as a “four‑step process”: 1) scrutinize every line item in the current budget, 2) identify areas where spending can be trimmed without sacrificing service quality, 3) invest in technology that streamlines operations, and 4) maintain transparency so that residents can see exactly where their dollars go.

The profile points readers to the town’s official website for a quick primer on how the Board of Finance operates: “The board is a three‑member body that reviews, amends, and approves the town’s annual budget. It holds the fiscal reins and is accountable to the council and the electorate.” The link also opens a sidebar that explains how the board’s decisions are fed into the final budget presented to the council for adoption.

Policy Priorities

1. Balanced Budgets, Not Cut‑And‑Paste Cuts
   LaRoche argues that the town’s revenue stream is solid enough to absorb modest spending cuts, especially in administrative overhead. She’s committed to a “zero‑growth” fiscal policy for the first term, meaning that the board will not approve any new spending that isn’t offset by a cut elsewhere.

2. Smart Property‑Tax Reform
   One of the profile’s most compelling moments is LaRoche’s promise to overhaul the property‑tax appraisal process. She plans to push for the adoption of a county‑wide property‑tax audit to ensure equity, particularly in districts that have historically been over‑assessed.

3. Technology‑Enabled Transparency
   The article highlights a proposal LaRoche has drafted: a “Budget Dashboard” that will be updated monthly, featuring real‑time data on spending versus budget, upcoming financial obligations, and a forecast of projected deficits or surpluses. The dashboard is intended to be public‑friendly, so even residents without a finance background can grasp the town’s fiscal health.

4. Infrastructure Investment
   LaRoche is not entirely hawkish. She sees a need for targeted infrastructure spending—particularly the maintenance of the town’s aging roadways and water systems. “We have to be willing to invest where it makes sense,” she says, citing a recent audit that identified three major roadways in need of resurfacing.

Endorsements and Community Engagement

The profile notes that LaRoche has already secured a letter of endorsement from the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, which lauds her “strong ties to the business community and her ability to translate complex financial concepts into actionable plans.” Additionally, a group of local teachers has expressed support, citing LaRoche’s commitment to funding for schools without compromising the town’s financial stability.

LaRoche is also actively holding town hall meetings across Newtown, from the high school auditorium to the public library. The article includes a link to her campaign calendar—courtesy of the town’s official event page—so readers can sign up for a session in their neighborhood. She promises to spend an hour at each meeting, “to listen, not to lecture,” a pledge that resonates with residents weary of top‑down decision‑making.

The Bigger Picture: The Board of Finance in Context

The profile does a good job of positioning the Board of Finance within the broader governmental framework. A short excerpt reads: “The Board of Finance works hand‑in‑hand with the City Manager, the Tax Assessor, and the Council to create a comprehensive financial plan. The board’s approval is required before any tax changes can be enacted, making its role pivotal in shaping the town’s economic future.” The internal link takes readers to the official Town of Newtown “Financial Services” page, where they can download past budgets, audit reports, and a glossary of finance terms.

There’s also a side note that mentions the upcoming election cycle on the Connecticut Secretary of State’s website. The link offers a brief FAQ about voter registration, absentee ballots, and the deadlines for filing candidacy paperwork—all of which are relevant for potential voters who might be considering LaRoche’s candidacy.

Bottom Line

Amybeth LaRoche’s profile on patch.com is a concise yet informative snapshot that covers the essentials: her professional background, her vision for Newtown’s finances, and the mechanics of the Board of Finance. For residents concerned about soaring property taxes, inefficiencies in the budget, and a lack of transparency, LaRoche offers a compelling mix of experience and a clear, data‑driven plan.

Her approach—“balance, transparency, and targeted investment”—is a direct response to the town’s specific challenges, as outlined in the profile and the linked resources. The article urges readers to look beyond the headline: “Voting for a board member is a vote for how your tax dollars are managed,” the piece concludes. For anyone who wants to see whether Newtown’s next fiscal steward is truly worth a vote, the patch.com profile provides a solid starting point.