Political Corner
On this page: Josh's Values | Legislative Proposals | In The News | Contact Josh
Josh's Values
Regardless of whether it is in elected or appointed office, each public official has a set of values, including a worldview and a moral compass, that they use to navigate their way through the troubled waters of leadership and governance. I am no different, and I have strong conviction in my belief that every government official should be motivated and steered by a strong set of values. On a day-to-day basis in the Town of Bolton, I actively strive to make the town and each of its various departments more transparent, accessible, inclusive, modern, and efficient. In more political roles, I have adopted platforms based around environmental protection, government transparency, the promotion of education, and a just economy.
Please check back here in the near future for more information about my values. I am currently working to write a book about my experiences so far in government, and I believe a wide portion of that book will speak well to the values that I aim to bring to the table every time I have the opportunity to lead in a public forum. Once I have completed more of it, I will post sections of that book here. In the meantime, please see more information about my past legislative initiatives below, and please see more information about my professional work in the Professional Corner.
Legislative Proposals
While on the Waterford, CT Representative Town Meeting from 2017 - 2019, I took the opportunity to be proactive and promote sensible legislation. Below is an explanation of the several initiatives he took on and championed, as well as those presented by his colleagues that he supported. For more information about initiatives Josh has undertaken in his professional roles, please visit the Professional Corner.
| Proposal | Introduced by | Committee | RTC | Current Status | Date of Next Action |
|
Fire & EMS Services
|
T. Condon (D1) & M. Perkins (D1)
|
Public Protection & Safety
|
4/2/18
|
In Committee
|
August 19, 2019
|
|
Review of Volunteer Firefighter Tax Abatement
|
J. Kelly (D3) & B. Sabilia (D3)
|
Public Protection & Safety
|
8/5/19
|
In Committee
|
August 19, 2019
|
|
Nevins Tenant Cottage
|
R. Nye (Town Historian)
|
Education
|
8/6/18
|
RTM Approved Assessment
|
TBA
|
|
Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban
|
A. Frascarelli (D1)
|
Public Health, Recreation, & Environment
|
4/2/18
|
Reported Out with No Action Taken
|
Final Action Taken 8/5/19
|
|
Salaries of Elected Officials
|
Unknown
|
Finance, Wage, & Personnel
|
4/1/19
|
PASSED
|
Final Action Taken
|
|
Town Parking Ordinance
|
Unknown
|
Public Protection & Safety
|
6/5/17
|
PASSED
|
Final Action Taken
|
|
Adoption of Sustainable CT Program
|
J. Kelly (D3)
|
Legislation & Administration
|
2/4/19
|
PASSED 4/1/19
|
Final Action Taken
|
|
Youth Services Bureau Name Update
|
D. Steward (First Selectman)
|
Legislation & Administration
|
2/4/2019
|
PASSED 4/1/19
|
Final Action Taken
|
|
Update of Ch. 2.04 RTM Rules
|
S. Driscoll (D4)
|
Legislation & Administration
|
12/4/17
|
PASSED 2/4/19
|
Final Action Taken
|
|
Review of Purchasing Ordinance
|
T. Condon (D1)
|
Legislation & Administration
|
8/6/18
|
PASSED
|
Final Action Taken
|
|
Property Tax Exemption for Gold Star Families
|
D. Campo (Clerk)
|
Finance, Wage, & Personnel
|
4/2/18
|
PASSED
|
Final Action Taken
|
|
Community Use of Schools Ordinance Review
|
Unknown
|
Education
|
1/18/18
|
PASSED
|
|
|
Neighborhood Assistance Act Inquiry
|
Unknown
|
Education
|
5/10/18
|
Reported Out with No Action Taken
|
Final Action Taken
|
|
Noise Ordinance Review
|
J. Kelly (D3)
|
Public Health, Recreation, & Environment
|
2/5/18
|
Reported Out with No Action Taken
|
Final Action Taken
|
|
Harbor Management Ordinance
|
Unknown
|
Legislation & Administration
|
6/15/17
|
Reported Out with No Action Taken
|
Final Action Taken
|
|
Status of Paid Firemen
|
Unknown
|
Public Protection & Safety
|
6/6/16
|
Reported Out with No Action Taken
|
|
|
Review of Ch. 2.04 RTM Rules
|
Unknown
|
Legislation & Administration
|
12/3/12
|
Reported Out with No Action Taken
|
Final Action Taken
|
In the News
2021
"Keep the good news coming" by Republican American Editorial Board, April 2021.
"Kelly, 26 named Winsted Town Manager" by Kurt Moffet, April 2021.
"On his way up" by Wheaton College, MA, February 2021.
"Bolton Administrator to leave job" by Skyler Frazer, February 2021.
"Winsted selects Kelly for town manager role" by Kathryn Boughton, February 2021.
"Winsted hires new town manager, to start post in April" by Emily M. Olson, February 2021.
"Breaking news: new Winsted Town Manager hired" by Shaw Israel Izikson, February 2021.
"Bolton eyes plans to expand Town hall" by Skyler Frazer, January 2021.
2020
"Alumni Board of Directors welcomes six new members" by Laura Pedulli, Wheaton Magazine, Fall 2020.
"Bolton seeks grant for Heritage Farm work" by Skyler Frazer, November 2020.
"Bolton voters approve storm sewer project, teachers contract" by Skyler Frazer, October 2020.
"Staff training, accessibility top priorities for Bolton town administrator" by Skyler Frazer, September 2020.
"Bolton selectmen extent town administrator's contract" by Skyler Frazer, August 2020.
"Indian Notch Park closed for now; Bolton Lake hit by algae" by Skyler Frazer, June 2020.
"Bolton Town Hall workers headed back into the office" by Skyler Frazer, June 2020.
"Bolton Finance Board to decide budget" by Skyler Frazer, April 2020.
"Bolton selectmen send $7.6 million town budget to Finance Board" by Skyler Frazer, April 2020.
"Bolton closes offices but continues to offer services" by Skyler Frazer, March 2020.
"Bolton plans theater festival of customized one-act plays" by Skyler Frazer, March 2020.
"Bolton selectmen put forward $1.4 million capital plan" by Skyler Frazer, March 2020.
"Charter revision begins with hearing" by Skyler Frazer, February 2020.
"Branding effort would boost Bolton, town administrator says" by Skyler Frazer, January 2020.
"Bolton looks to build its brand" by Skyler Frazer, January 2020.
2019
"Bolton officials survey residents on town communications, services" by Skyler Frazer, December 2019.
"New Bolton admin seeks to increase engagement, weigh more development" by Christopher McDermott, August 2019.
"Bolton selects new administrative officer" by Michelle France, August 2019.
"Proposed townwide fire department sparks debate in Waterford" by Ben Kail, August 2019.
"Sabilia tops Democratic ticket against Republican Brule in Waterford" by Ben Kail, August 2019.
"Committee: State Ban On Plastic Bags Will Do, No Local Law Needed" by Ellyn Santiago, June 2019.
"Proposed bag ban gives retailers, grocers another year" by Ben Kail, May 2019.
"Connecticut edges closer to plastic bag ban" by Ben Kail, March 2019.
"Joshua Kelly Receives the 2019 Al Ilg Award" by the University of Connecticut's Department of Public Policy, April 2019.
2018
"Waterford dives back into debate over plastic bags" by Ben Kail, August 2018.
"Despite opposition, Waterford pushes toward redevelopment of Cohanzie School" by Ben Kail, August 2018.
"Waterford considers possibility of life without Millstone" by Ben Kail, August 2018.
"Waterford, Mansfield consider banning plastic shopping bags" by Tina Detelj. WTNH, April 2018.
"Residents debate New London-Waterford Speedbowl noise" by Ben Kail. The Day, February 2018.
2017
"Kelly, Greens making fast inroads" by Nicholas Checker. The Waterford Times, December 2017.
"Green Party wins leave state, town officials scrambling to accommodate them" by Martha Shanahan. The Day, November 2017.
"Waterford Green Party wins a seat in all four RTM districts" by Martha Shanahan and Mary Biekert. The Day, November 2017.
"Greens sought input from Waterford residents" by Joshua Kelly. The Day, November 2017.
"Meet the candidates for Waterford RTM, zoning and assessment appeals boards" by Martha Shanahan. The Day, October 2017.
"Waterford Green, Democratic Candidates Endorsed by State Teachers' Union" by RJ Scofield. Waterford Patch, October 2017.
"Courageously challenging Waterford's 2-party system" by Ann Schenk. The Day, October 2017.
"Waterford Green Party Nominating Petitions Approved, Pushes Platform" by RJ Scofield. Waterford Patch, September 2017.
"Waterford Green Party still small, but pushing ahead with growing ballot presence" by Martha Shanahan. The Day, August 2017.
"Waterford Green Party nominates candidates". The Day, August 2017.
"Waterford town parties endorse candidates for 2017 ballot" by Martha Shanahan. The Day, July 2017.
"Become Waterford Green and serve others" by Joshua Kelly. The Day, June 2017.
"Waterford Green party endorses candidates for November election". The Day, June 2017.
"Tired of two parties? Try going Green" by Joshua Kelly. The Day, June 2017.
"Decoding party lines". Wheaton College Magazine, March 2017.
"Waterford resident publishes study results". The Day, February 2017.