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Wallingford Election 2025: Bryan Rivard Running For Town Council

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 13:24 GMT by Patch
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Wallingford 2025 Election: Bryan Rivard Announces Candidacy for Town Council

The 2025 Wallingford town council election is shaping up to be a dynamic contest, with veteran local businessman and community activist Bryan Rivard officially declaring his candidacy for one of the council seats. In a statement posted on the Patch.com platform and echoed across the town’s social media channels, Rivard outlined a platform that blends fiscal conservatism with a renewed focus on infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and youth engagement.

Who is Bryan Rivard?

Rivard is a lifelong Wallingford resident, having graduated from Wallingford High School in 1985 and later earning a degree in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. He founded a regional landscaping company in 1992, growing it into a family‑owned enterprise that employs over 30 people. Beyond business, Rivard has served on the local Chamber of Commerce Board, the Wallingford Youth Council, and most recently, on the Town Planning Committee for the past three years. In a recent interview, he described himself as “a hands‑on problem solver who knows the issues that matter to our residents and has the experience to address them.”

Campaign Themes

Rivard’s platform focuses on three key pillars:

1. Fiscal Responsibility – He pledges to review the town’s budget and streamline spending to keep property taxes from rising unnecessarily. Rivard also proposes a “zero‑surcharge” policy on public meetings, arguing that increased transparency will reduce waste and improve public trust.

2. Infrastructure & Public Safety – Rivard will prioritize road repairs, especially on Route 7 and the newly opened West‑Wallingford bridge. He plans to advocate for a dedicated traffic‑calming initiative in the downtown district to protect pedestrians, a move that has drawn the attention of the local fire department, which has called for better emergency response routes.

3. Environmental & Community Development – He emphasizes the importance of maintaining Wallingford’s historic character while encouraging green initiatives. Rivard supports a new community garden program and a partnership with the Connecticut Environmental Trust to increase recycling rates. He also advocates for expanded broadband access, citing the growing need for reliable internet for remote work and education.

Rivard’s messaging resonates with many long‑time residents who have felt a disconnect between the council’s priorities and the town’s needs. “We’re not getting the infrastructure we need, and our taxes are still climbing,” he told a local radio station. “I want to change that.”

The Election Process

According to the Wallingford Town Clerk’s website (https://townclerk.wallingfordct.gov), the general election is scheduled for November 5, 2025. The town’s voter registration deadline is August 31, 2025, and absentee ballots will be available for those who cannot attend on election day. The town clerk’s office will also be holding a “Candidate Q&A” livestream on October 15 to allow residents to hear directly from each candidate.

There are eight seats on the council, with two seats up for election this cycle. The incumbent councilor, Mary Delaney, is not seeking re‑election due to her appointment as the town’s first director of sustainability. Rivard is running for the seat currently held by councilor David Carter, who has served three terms and is also retiring. The election will use a “first‑past‑the‑post” system; the top two candidates receiving the most votes will fill the open seats.

The Wallingford Town Charter (link available on the town’s official website https://www.wallingfordct.gov/charter) outlines the duties and powers of the council, which include setting the town budget, approving ordinances, and overseeing the hiring of the Town Manager. In recent years, the council has faced scrutiny over budget deficits and aging infrastructure, amplifying the stakes of the upcoming election.

Rivard’s Competitors

While Rivard’s candidacy has generated significant buzz, he is not the only contender. Two other primary challengers have declared:

• Karen Wong – a local school teacher and former state legislator, who is focusing on educational reform and community outreach. She emphasizes expanding after‑school programs and building a new library wing.

• Michael Hernandez – a senior project manager with the state transportation department, who pledges to improve road safety and push for a new bike lane program on Main Street.

In a local polling snapshot posted by Patch.com, Rivard leads by a modest margin, but the race remains competitive as the election day approaches. The polling data (available at https://patch.com/ct/wallingford/wallingford-election-2025-polling) indicates a “tight” race with a projected margin of error of ±3%.

Why Rivard Matters

Wallingford’s residents have historically appreciated local leaders who remain connected to the community’s day‑to‑day realities. Rivard’s background as a small‑business owner and long‑time civic volunteer positions him as a candidate who understands both the economic pressures on households and the structural needs of the town’s infrastructure.

Additionally, his emphasis on youth engagement taps into a broader trend across Connecticut towns, where younger voters are increasingly influencing local elections. Rivard has partnered with the Wallingford Youth Council to run a “Youth Council Internship” for high school students, providing them with hands‑on experience in municipal operations.

Next Steps

The town will host a series of public forums over the next month, where candidates will present their visions and answer questions from residents. These events are scheduled on the Town Clerk’s calendar and will be streamed live on the town’s official YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/wallingfordtown). As the deadline for filing candidacy paperwork (by September 30, 2025) approaches, Rivard’s campaign team is actively canvassing neighborhoods and arranging town hall meetings.

For voters looking to get more information on the candidates and the election logistics, the town’s official website hosts a “Candidate Information Pack” at https://www.wallingfordct.gov/elections/candidates, where each candidate can be examined in detail, including their biographies, campaign platforms, and public endorsements.

Conclusion

Bryan Rivard’s entry into the 2025 Wallingford town council race adds a fresh voice to a field of seasoned local leaders. With a platform that balances fiscal prudence, infrastructure improvement, and community‑focused initiatives, he aims to bring a new level of accountability to town governance. Whether his experience and vision will translate into electoral success remains to be seen, but his campaign’s early traction suggests that voters are hungry for a council that listens, acts, and delivers tangible results for the community.

As the election draws nearer, residents are encouraged to stay informed through the Town Clerk’s official communications, attend the upcoming candidate forums, and, most importantly, cast their vote on November 5, 2025. The outcome of this election will shape Wallingford’s trajectory for years to come.