We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to meet the candidates running in the Nov. 4, 2025 municipal election. 

Compiled by Ronni Newton

We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to “Meet the Candidate” – designed to help them get to know the candidates running for office in the 2025 municipal election.

Identical questionnaires have been sent to all candidates, and each profile received has been submitted directly to We-Ha.com by the candidate or the candidate’s campaign management. The responses have not been edited but have been formatted to match our publication style. Questions left blank have been noted.

As profiles are received, they will be published on We-Ha.com under the “Government” tab. We-Ha.com is not making endorsements of any political candidates but we are publishing this information in order to assist voters in being informed and prepared when they go to the polls on Nov. 4.

If you are a candidate and wish to submit a profile, please return it by email to Ronni Newton at [email protected] as soon as possible.

TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATE

Name: Barry Walters

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family information: I have a partner of 29 years and together, we have a son who is now 19.

Primary occupation: Site Director for a food pantry and support groups.

Previous political experience: I was first elected in 2023 to Town Council.

Other relevant experience that may be related to your desire to serve the community, and further qualifies you for the office you are seeking: Previous to Town Council, I served as a Council Zoning Alternate and as Co-Chair of the Human Rights Commission. I founded and Co-Chair West Hartford Pride and previously served as Co-Chair of the CT LGBTQIA+ Social Justice and Opportunity Network – an advisory body for the CT General Assembly.

Why are you running for office? I wish to serve the community and offer my voice for those who may not feel they have a voice or for those who may feel overlooked or unheard. The Town Council needs to consist of members offering different perspectives when presented with issues affecting our Town as well as when the need arises for new ideas. I use those perspectives in problem solving and ensuring that all our residents can weigh in. Perhaps most importantly, I want to ensure that my son and all children are left with a West Hartford that is better than when we found it.

There have recently been numerous residential and commercial developments approved by the Town Council, and it is likely that more will be considered during the upcoming Council term. What is your overall opinion of the pace of development in West Hartford? The Council and Town Staff have worked diligently to pace development in a well thought-out and strategic manner. I am aware that some residents have expressed concern that our schools are unable to manage the current rate of growth. The reality is that as a district, we have the capacity for in our schools. With that said, spot redistricting may be required to balance select school populations that are experiencing larger class sizes. The bottom line is development in West Hartford is proceeding at a managed rate and is thoughtfully vetted.

What are your specific ideas for keeping future budget increases to a minimum? I recognize that large tax increases are not sustainable, and that change is required. The Town of West Hartford has just one primary revenue stream – property taxes. We have an archaic state-wide system in which the burden of funding is placed squarely upon CT municipalities using property taxes. If costs rise as they have with several drivers including insurance premiums and tariffs, the municipality is faced with the prospect of cutting services or raising taxes – obviously neither is desirable. We must work with our State Delegation to identify alternative revenue sources without increasing the overall tax burden. Making a carveout of the state’s sales tax is one idea to supplement property tax and diversify our revenue streams. I strongly believe that West Hartford runs a lean operation but there is always room for identifying cost savings through evaluation and innovation.

How do you think the town will need to/be able to respond to cuts in federal aid to education, Medicaid, and food assistance? West Hartford shares the responsibility of preparedness for federal cuts with the State of CT. Strong communication and ability to work side by side with our State Delegation, the State Attorney General, and other elected officials and departments to ensure that our Town’s residents receive the education and healthcare they deserve and do not go hungry are required. Worth noting, a significant cut of an education grant valued over $300,000 was attempted and that cut was turned back by a partnership of Democrats at the local, state, and national level.

For food insecurity, I believe that a Universal Free School Meals program is needed, and we must work with the State to ensure that funding is available for access to nutritious food for our children. A program does currently exist but the income qualifier leaves out many who are facing the choice of providing sustenance for their families or a roof over their heads. We can do better.

Do national issues affect your approach to local governance, and if so, how? All politics is local and what takes place in Washington affects us at the local level – it’s unavoidable and members of the Town Council must be keenly aware of what is taking place on a national level to mitigate the effects at the local level. It is an obligation of town leadership to act as advocates on behalf of our Town’s residents and interests.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing West Hartford today, and how do you plan to address it if elected? I believe that affordability is the largest challenge we face as a town. There is much that is influenced by outside forces that make it more difficult to manage at the local level – housing for example. However, we can mitigate national trends in housing by increasing the availability and access to affordable housing by increasing the number of units available – with both rental and ownership options. We have no problem with attracting rental units. For other options, creativity and community involvement will be required. Unlike cities like Denver, CO, we do not have thousands of acres of undeveloped land at our disposal for new construction of single-family homes. Alternatives such as townhomes may be a solution to providing affordable ownership options.

Affordable housing is not the only area of concern. Taxes and revenue streams need to be addressed as well. Not by slashing programs DOGE-style, but with evaluation, innovation, identifying cost savings, and working with state partners to identify revenue sources that will not increase individual tax burden on residents. This applies across the budget and includes both the Town and Education sides of the budget.

What do you feel differentiates you from the candidates from other parties – or your own party – who are also running for this position? Real life honesty here … My parents raised me to be respectful of authority but question it when the moment warrants. As a person who grew up with limited resources, I am aware of what it feels like to go without necessities. And as a gay man, I know the hurt of having your value as a person questioned based upon who you are. I do not say this to garner sympathy but rather to demonstrate a background that provides a unique perspective in our Town’s leadership. I have lived experience that provides a basis for realness in problem solving and providing strong leadership.

Anything else you would like to share relevant to earning votes on Nov. 4? It is not my nature to simply sit back and watch or to complain without offering solutions. Like many, I am deeply frustrated by the lack of action in Washington by Democrats. There is an absence of effective and coalescing messaging which has left many hopeless and questioning their party’s ability to move forward constructively. We cannot afford to abandon our values and cease standing up for what we believe. I am committed to facing our Town’s obstacles head-on and providing real-life solutions that will lift all our residents up and forward. I will stand and protect West Hartford values which provide the foundation of our policies. Your vote is your voice … don’t stay silent!

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