Housing and population growth in Fairfield is inevitable, but unchecked overdevelopment is not. As your state senator and as a candidate for First Selectperson, I believe growth must be smart, safe, and respectful of Fairfield’s unique neighborhoods. My record is clear: I have consistently stood up against heavy-handed state mandates like CT General Statute Section 8-30g and HB 8002/Public Act 25-1 that weaken local governance and ignore the real-world limits of our roads, schools, and infrastructure.
I support affordable, accessible, and diverse housing. But I have opposed, and will continue to challenge, one-size-fits-all state formulas that hand power to regional bureaucracies and private developers while sidelining the people who actually live here. When state policies push high building density without planning for traffic, stormwater, sewers, public safety, and environmental impact, it’s Fairfield residents and taxpayers who pay the price: in zoning violations, longer commutes, dangerous intersections, flooded basements, and escalating infrastructure costs.
As First Selectperson, my focus will be on solutions to deal with the lasting impact of CGS Section 8-30g and the recently passed HB 8002 state mandates on our community and the irreversible changes to our neighborhoods.
First, I will advocate statewide and regionally to restore, empower, and protect local experts on land use, infrastructure, traffic congestion, and environmental protection. That means proposing legislation to reform CGS 8-30g, addressing and managing coercive “opt-in” schemes like HB 8002. Oppose forced regionalization that weaken local control over schools and town services and insisting that any state-mandated regional planning starts with Fairfield’s voice, not ends with it.
Second, I will work with our Town Plan and Zoning Commission and Affordable Housing Committee to champion and legally support thoughtful zoning decisions that preserve the scale, feel, and livability of our residential streets, along with our open spaces, coastal areas, and sensitive watersheds. I will be an active partner with the Affordable Housing Corporation to create 100 percent, forever-affordable housing where appropriate. I will work with responsible developers on sensible projects that are shaped in partnership with the community and the town. New development must fit Fairfield’s size and neighborhood setting, respect environmental constraints, and be driven by transparent public input, not state-imposed rulings.
Third, I will insist that housing and infrastructure are planned together. We must invest in roads, sewers, stormwater systems, coastal resilience, and public safety so our town can handle growth without sacrificing quality of life. I will leverage my legislative experience to secure state and federal resources that support responsible local infrastructure plans.
Fourth, I will tackle traffic congestion driven by increased building density with data-driven transportation planning. Working closely with state agencies, I will prioritize safety improvements on key corridors, address school traffic bottlenecks, and advance Vision Zero strategies that protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. I will consider funding holistic traffic and safety studies in problem areas so we fully understand roadway capacity and risks before new development is approved.
My commitment is simple: protect Fairfield from excessive overdevelopment, defend personal property rights, and keep our neighborhoods safe, livable, and strong. I will pursue housing solutions that work for – not against – our community and every resident. That is the kind of balanced, experienced leadership Fairfield deserves.
I want to hear directly from you – your concerns, your priorities, your hopes for Fairfield’s future. Please call me at 203-807-8098 or email me at Tony@TonyHwang.org. I respectfully ask for your trust and your vote for First Selectperson on February 3, 2026. Together, we can create affordable, accessible, and diverse housing balanced with respect for personal property rights and local governance.