Spadaccini Leaving Behind a Legacy of Accomplishment and Bipartisanship

to another term on the Board of Directors in November, effectively bringing to an end – or at least a break – his 16 years of service to the town of Manchester when his current term expires in January of 2012.

Spadaccini, 38, began his career in local politics at the age of 23 as a member of the Board of Education, before serving six consecutive terms on the Board of Directors, and serving as mayor since 2007 (the top vote getter among the board in municipal elections is given the title of mayor, which was amended by charter in 2009 from the top vote getter from the majority party; Spadaccini was the first such mayor to serve under the new rules).

He leaves behind him a legacy of achievements and bipartisanship that have made Manchester a much different place than it was when he first began his service to the town in the mid 1990s, but said that he had reached a point in his life where he wanted to spend more time with his wife and young daughter.

“I had been considering it for a while,” Spadaccini said Wednesday. “It became increasingly difficult to balance the responsibilities of my full-time job, my duties as mayor, as well as my primary responsibility to my family.”

When asked for highlights during his tenure on the board, Spadaccini noted that it takes a majority of the Board of Directors to approve any piece of legislation in town, and said he was thankful and appreciative of the many board members from both parties he has served with through the years. Spadaccini said he was pleased that the town made gains in economic development, youth programming, environmental initiatives and neighborhood revitalization such as the demolition of the Broad Street Parkade and the former Willie’s Steak House on Hartford Road during his tenure.

“I have worked to provide strong, steady leadership for Manchester during these challenging times,” Spadaccini said in a press release announcing his decision. “I am most proud of the fact that Manchester’s government has weathered the economic downturn much better than many communities.  Our leaders and town staff have been able to control spending and taxes while preserving core services and not resorting to layoffs.   Spending has increased by an average of just 1.1% in the last three years.  Manchester’s government has healthy reserves, an adequately funded pension account, and a sustainable level of bonded indebtedness.  We are well positioned for the future.”

Although Spadaccini’s decision may have come as a shock to some, fellow Republican members of the Board of Directors said that Spadaccini had made them aware for some time that he was considering not running for re-election in November.

Mark Tweedie, a Republican who has served as a member of the Board of Directors, said that Spadaccini’s retirement would be a loss not just to Republican’s in town, but all residents.

“I think it’s going to be a tremendous loss for the town,” Tweedie said. “Lou’s moral compass is right on. He always did things because they were the best things to do…he’s a non-political guy. He’s always had Manchester’s best interests in mind.”

General Manager Scott Shanley said that he was not surprised by Spadaccini’s decision, giving the time demands of the job for essentially negligible compensation (the mayor receives an annual stipend of $3,000, $1,000 more than other members of the Board of Directors; board members voted to return their stipends in 2008-09), but that he was going to miss working with Spadaccini and that he has always respected his professionalism and courtesy.

“Lou has always been a very honest and professional person to work with, and I always appreciated that,” Shanley said.

When asked, Spadaccini did not rule out a possible return to local politics somewhere down the line, but said at the moment he was going to be content to spend more time with his wife Keshet and two-and-a-half year old daughter Fabrizia. He said he was looking forward to being able to serve the town in other ways over the next several years.

“I will really miss serving with the many fine people who have served on the boards over the years,” Spadaccini said. “We have a great town staff, and I’ve really enjoyed working with the General manager, Scott Shanley, who does an excellent job… I am humbled by the confidence that the citizens of Manchester placed in me over the years.  I will always have fond memories of my time in Manchester government; particularly my last four years as Mayor."