First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield

Welcome to Portland Online!
      We definitely live in exciting times!
      For years now, the steady progress to develop our recreational and business areas has gained momentum. People have joined forces to create such organizations as PRIDE and Brownstone Quorum in order to make thing happen. Our own Planning Department has worked tirelessly in this regard, with help from State grants, the Connecticut Main Street Program and private consultants.
     We've come a long way in reclaiming our beautiful brownstone quarries, both for their historical significance and their recreational benefits. The riverfront property provides hiking trails where we can enjoy more and more of the natural beauty of our town.
     We are working hard to find ways to help our local businesses while keeping our tax rate at its lowest. Our school system is one of the best in Connecticut.
     I hope you enjoy our web site. It contains a lot of information about our history and municipal services.

Susan Bransfield
(Connecticut—Not Oregon)
Phone: 860.342.6715
sbransfield@portlandct.org

Board of Selectmen
2-year Term: 11/20/07-11/09

(R) John H. Anderson
(R) Carl Chudzik
(D) Mark J. Finkelstein
(D) Brian M. Flood
(D) Sharon P. Gibala
(D) Kathleen G. Richards

See: Board of Selectmen's Minutes

The Office of First Selectman

Portland's Town Charter provides for a chief elected official to manage the responsibilities and performance of municipal government. The position of First Selectman is roughly the same as a city's mayor.
     There are many towns in Connecticut that do not have a chief elected official who is politically accountable to the people. They employ a professional town manager instead.
     In Portland, the First Selectman is elected for a two year period and occupies an office at the Town Hall. He or she is a member of the Board of Selectmen, the final governing body of municipal affairs. The only municipal department exempt from the First Selectman's direct managerial control is the Board of Education.
     The First Selectman in Portland also serves as Chief of Police and as the authority to projects and local roadways.
     This office is responsible for highly confidential material including Personnel records and Social Service case files. Various revenues are collected and permits are processed by this department, such as: Bazaar/Raffle permits, Pistol pemits, Pistol & Revolver Retailer permits, Vending/Soliciting/Canvassing permits, Pin Game permits, Freedom of Information copying requests and miscellaneous donations (Food Bank, Fuel Bank).

Phone: 860.342.6715