Dr. David Bindelglass announced that he will run for re-election to a second two-year term as Easton’s first selectman. A small group gathered June 3 at Town Hall to witness the ceremonial filing, including his wife, Gloria, who is a nurse at Bridgeport Hospital, and Selectman Robert Lessler.
As he filed the necessary papers, Bindelglass cited his administration’s accomplishments and goals. An orthopedic surgeon in addition to first selectman, Bindelglass is especially proud of Easton’s performance during COVID, when the senior center, the schools, and Town Hall worked together to continue providing services to residents.
He described the additional challenges the town faced during his first term, including Tropical Storm Isaias and the resulting extended power outages.
“I’m first selectman for all of Easton,” he said. “I took office in November 2019, and I’m very proud of our accomplishments over the last two years. We were ready from the start to bring good, effective governance to Easton and, because of that, we were able to handle unexpected challenges while accomplishing several critical projects. Easton needed to see results, and I am committed to continuing to deliver them.”
Other significant accomplishments include completed construction of one bridge on Park Avenue and another one underway; improving health care delivery through joining the Westport-Weston Health District; creation of a representative task force that is examining options for the South Park property; and increased transparency of town government through weekly public updates to citizens.
“Easton voted in May to fund the best education we can offer our children, restoring much needed resources that had been cut previously and addressing the need for additional services to help our students through the pandemic and its aftermath,” he said. “And the vote for the town budget is an endorsement of the good work our town departments are doing and the projects we have undertaken.”
He additionally cited extended public comment at Board of Selectmen meetings, a Town Hall presentation for newcomers, brown bag lunches, and several other open forums. Bindelglass is also improving Town Hall procedures by streamlining the permit process, and expanding Park and Recreation Department projects for seniors.
Engagement in local government grew tremendously during the pandemic, when people could watch and participate in meetings virtually from the comfort of their homes, Bindelglass said. He wants to offer hybrid choices for people to attend meetings in person and online going forward, but said they are still figuring out the technology to do it.
Bindelglass, 62, is the first Democratic First Selectman in Easton since 1985 and is presiding over the first Board of Selectmen with a Democratic majority since 2005.
“Most of our accomplishments have been supported by a unanimous board,” he said. “I intend to keep our work non-partisan and always in the best interests of all the people of Easton.”
Lessler, a longtime selectman and fellow Democrat, said he hasn’t yet filed papers to run for another term. The filing deadline is July 28 for local elected offices, Town Clerk Christine Halloran said.
Photo at top: David Bindelglass files papers with Town Clerk Christine Halloran for re-election as first selectman. — Nancy Doniger Photo
