Three Republicans Look To Remain on Board of Selectmen

Three Republicans Vie for Southbury Board of Selectmen Seats

August 10, 2025

Southbury Record

With less than three months until Southbury’s local election, Republican candidates for the Board of Selectmen have shared with the Southbury Record their backgrounds, priorities and visions for the town’s future.

The Republican slate this year features three candidates who bring a mix of experience and community involvement. In the following profiles, we introduce each of the Republican candidates and share more about their reasons for running.

Jason Van Stone

Jason Van Stone is a current member of the Board of Selectmen, having been appointed to the board on September 19, 2024, following the resignation of former board member Gregory Kuehn.

He has previously served on the town’s Planning Commission and is a current member of the Charter Revision Commission. Before his time in Southbury, he spent a decade as an elected member of the Waterbury Board of Education. 

“When I moved here, I discovered a town full of great people, vibrant community spirit, a safe environment, and the charm of a traditional New England town,” said Van Stone. “Often when people move somewhere new, they want to change it—I feel the opposite. I’m running to ensure that while we continue making progress, we also preserve everything that already makes Southbury such a special place.”

Van Stone’s priorities include strategically growing the town’s Grand List, ensuring an efficient post-flood cleanup and maintaining the town’s high quality of life.

Southbury is more than just another Connecticut town, he adds, noting the importance of preserving and enhancing what makes it great.

He’s a proponent of the town’s fiscal practices, including those that have allowed Southbury to attain a AAA bond rating by S&P Global Rankings. He places importance on supporting the town’s newly independent police department, as well as protecting open space and creating a welcoming environment for current and future businesses.

During his time on the Board of Selectmen, Van Stone has been known to carefully craft the wording of motions, while lending an analytical and open mind to new ideas presented to the board.

The principle of “leave things better than you found them” guides him in his role within local government.

“In public service, that means bringing reason and logic to every discussion and supporting the best ideas—no matter where they come from,” said Van Stone. “My focus is always on practical solutions that make Southbury stronger for everyone.”

He is the board’s liaison to the IT Steering Committee, the Senior Services Commission and the town’s Energy Task Force.

He also serves as the Vice President of an education software company based in Waterbury and is the Vice Chairman of the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce. The father of two holds a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication and is on track to earn his MBA next year.

Anne Armeno

Anne Armeno is a current member of the Board of Selectmen, having been appointed to the board on December 19, 2024, to fill the vacancy left by now State Representative Jason Buchsbaum.

A resident of Southbury for over three decades, Armeno has been involved at the local level in various community organizations and was then approached in 2009 to lend her experience within Town Hall.

She became an alternate member of the town’s Economic Development Commission, then rose to the rank of a full-time member, and eventually became the commission’s Chair in 2014. She also currently serves on the Charter Revision Commission.

“All the groups I have worked with are of the same mindset to better the Town of Southbury, and that is important when getting involved,” said Armeno. “We can really make a difference.”

Armeno says she will continue to strive for quality of life standards, including enhancing and fostering access to services and community engagement. 

“I will fight to make our way of life a standard, and if we must correct things, then we can work to make that happen,” said Armeno. “When residents sound their concerns, I will listen and try to come up with common-sense solutions.”

During her time on the board, Armeno has placed value on feedback from residents and stakeholders, notably changing her stance on the status of the Senior Center’s inclusion in the town’s four-day workweek pilot program. She most recently voted to keep the Senior Center open on Fridays, although the 3-2 vote meant it would continue with the condensed schedule over the summer.

Armeno also serves as the board’s liaison to the Library Board of Trustees, the Emergency Medical Services Committee and the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Her son, Tony, is a graduate of Pomperaug High School and is a sergeant in the town’s police department. 

She reflects on her time on the Board of Selectmen, saying that she envisioned serving on the board even in her early years of volunteerism. Looking ahead, she says she is committed to being a steward for residents and ensuring that their tax dollars are used wisely.

“I am continuing to write many new chapters in my life, especially running for the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Southbury,” said Armeno.  “But what makes it so unique is the way these new chapters will include all residents that I will represent.”

She originally grew up in Stratford, later moving to Southbury when she met her husband, Anthony. She is an administrative assistant at CM Property Management, located in Southbury.

Holly Sullivan

Holly Sullivan is a two-term member of the Board of Selectmen, having won a seat on the board in 2021 and 2023.

In seeking her third term, she highlights her eagerness to find ways to collaboratively work toward solutions that benefit the town responsibly.

“Helping to blend the resources the town can provide with the needs of staff and the residents of our community, all while balancing fiscal responsibility, is tremendously important and rewarding work,” said Sullivan.

As the board’s liaison to the Region 15 School District — and a parent in the district — Sullivan is particularly interested in the longevity of the town’s aging elementary schools. 

As discussions move forward regarding a potential combined elementary school, she says it would be a monumental project for the town and the regional school district.

“It would not only affect the families, staff, and students of our schools, but will impact the entire greater community if it moves forward, as these parcels of property are in our town’s central hub,” said Sullivan. “I feel passionately about school and community safety, and am eager to see how this project may unfold, as it involves various elements of town and region collaboration to be successful.”

She places importance on maintaining a balance of growing the town’s commercial areas and keeping the town’s character of safe neighborhoods.

“Many towns have small, dispersed commercial districts in pockets around town, but I definitely want to ensure that our neighborhoods remain undisturbed while still growing the vibrancy of our community,” said Sullivan.

Equipped with a master’s degree and a background in human resources, she encourages locals to get involved and invites feedback at town meetings.

Originally from Westchester County, New York, Sullivan relocated to Southbury after spending time in New Orleans, following years of volunteer work after Hurricane Katrina. She is involved with various nonprofits and finds joy in seeing collaboration on local issues.

She is also the President of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, the state’s largest Second Amendment advocacy group.