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Patch Candidate Profile: Steven Goodridge For Newtown Board of Finance

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 14:55 GMT by Patch
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Newtown’s Fiscal Future in the Hands of Steven Goodridge?
A deep‑dive into the candidate profile posted on Patch and what it means for the town’s next Board of Finance session.

When Newtown’s next municipal election approaches, residents are looking for a clear answer to a pressing question: who will keep the town’s books in order, keep taxes at a reasonable level, and make sure that public funds are spent wisely? According to a recent candidate profile published on Patch—“Patch Candidate Profile: Steven Goodridge, Newtown Board Finance”—the town’s next elected steward of public money may be a former real‑estate agent, a longtime community volunteer, and a proponent of fiscal conservatism. The profile, released in late March, outlines Goodridge’s background, his policy priorities, and the arguments he has used to convince voters that he is the right person to sit on the Board of Finance.

Who is Steven Goodridge?

Goodridge, 42, grew up in Newtown and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. After graduating, he joined the real‑estate division of a major firm, eventually becoming a licensed realtor and a well‑known name in the local housing market. The profile notes that he has sold more than 200 homes over the past decade and has earned a reputation for being transparent, detail‑oriented, and client‑focused—qualities that the article argues translate well into public office.

Beyond his professional life, Goodridge is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve, having served two deployments in the Middle East. He is also an active volunteer on several Newtown boards, including the Community Redevelopment Council and the Local Arts Fund. According to the Patch article, Goodridge’s “long-standing commitment to service” is one of the primary reasons he is looking to bring his expertise to the Board of Finance.

The Board of Finance: Why It Matters

For readers unfamiliar with the mechanics of Newtown’s government, the Patch piece provides a succinct overview of the Board of Finance’s role. The board, composed of five elected members, approves the town’s annual budget, monitors fiscal performance, and oversees the municipal workforce. The board’s decisions influence everything from school funding to road maintenance to the cost of local utilities. The article highlights that in 2023, the Board of Finance approved a $12.4 million operating budget, an increase of 3.8 % over the previous year—a figure that has become a hot topic in the town’s debates over rising taxes.

Goodridge’s profile also points out that the board has been criticized in the past for lack of transparency in its budgeting process, leading to a push by community groups for more “open, data‑driven decision making.” The Patch piece links to a local news article that cites a recent town hall meeting where residents expressed frustration with the board’s “opaque” voting procedures. Goodridge’s campaign seeks to address that criticism head‑on.

Key Policy Pillars

The bulk of the article is dedicated to Goodridge’s stated priorities—four themes that he has promised to champion if elected:

1. Transparent Budgeting
   Goodridge has called for a real‑time, online dashboard of the town’s finances, allowing residents to see how every dollar is spent. The profile quotes him: “People deserve to know exactly where their taxes are going. A transparent system will reduce fraud, waste, and public distrust.”

2. Prudent Tax Policy
   In an era of ballooning property taxes, Goodridge pledges to “review all assessment practices to eliminate over‑assessments.” He intends to bring in an independent audit of the property assessment process and will push for a cap on tax increases that would be “aligned with inflation and growth.”

3. Fiscal Efficiency in Municipal Services
   The article details Goodridge’s plan to renegotiate contracts with vendors, implement “lean management” practices in the town’s operations, and cut back on redundant programs. He cites a pilot program in neighboring towns that achieved a 5 % savings on contract costs without compromising service quality.

4. Community‑Driven Investment
   Goodridge emphasizes the importance of investing in local schools, parks, and small‑business grants. He proposes a small municipal bond that would fund new playgrounds and a “town‑wide broadband initiative” to keep Newtown competitive for remote workers.

While the Patch piece lists these priorities, it also provides context by linking to the town’s official budget documents, where the current spending allocations can be found. The article encourages readers to compare Goodridge’s proposals with the existing budget to see how realistic the promised savings might be.

How the Profile Positions Goodridge Against Competitors

The Patch article hints at a crowded field for the Board of Finance. It names two other candidates, one of whom is a current council member, and another a local attorney with a background in municipal law. The profile contrasts Goodridge’s experience in public‑sector budgeting—he has served on the town’s financial oversight committee for the past three years—with his opponents’ more limited track record. The article notes that Goodridge’s opponents are perceived as “politically entrenched” and less open to change, whereas Goodridge is portrayed as a fresh, outsider perspective.

The piece also includes a quote from a resident who says, “I’m tired of seeing my tax dollars go to waste. Goodridge’s focus on transparency gives me hope that our money will be used responsibly.”

Community Engagement and Outreach

In addition to policy details, the profile highlights Goodridge’s outreach efforts. He has hosted a series of “Coffee & Budget” meetings in town halls across Newtown, where he invites residents to discuss budget priorities and share concerns. The article reports that he has already partnered with the Newtown Public Library to launch a “Financial Literacy for Kids” program, hoping to foster a new generation of informed taxpayers.

Goodridge’s campaign has been proactive on social media, with a dedicated Facebook page that includes a video explaining his platform. The Patch piece links directly to that page, allowing readers to watch a 5‑minute overview where Goodridge walks through his fiscal plan and answers community questions.

What’s Next?

The Patch profile concludes by noting that the next Board of Finance election is scheduled for May 7, 2025, and that Goodridge will be on the ballot as “Steven Goodridge – Fiscal Steward” with the party designation of “Non‑Partisan.” The article invites residents to review the candidate’s official campaign statement—linked in the article—and to attend upcoming town‑hall events.

For those looking for more information, the profile links to the Town of Newtown’s official election website, which provides the full ballot, candidate biographies, and a downloadable copy of the 2024–2025 budget.

Bottom Line

Steven Goodridge’s candidacy, as portrayed by Patch, offers Newtown residents a candidate with strong real‑estate and volunteer experience, a clear plan for fiscal transparency, and a commitment to prudent tax and spending policies. Whether his proposals will translate into tangible savings remains a question that the upcoming election will answer. Regardless of the outcome, the profile underscores the importance of the Board of Finance in shaping the town’s financial future and invites residents to engage in a conversation about how best to steward their shared resources.