Jim has served nine terms as First Selectman and has been an active member of the Orange Board of Selectmen since 1999. He has shown the necessary experience in municipal management to effectively continue to lead our Town as First Selectman.
Jim is no stranger to hard work. His commitment to the people of Orange is undeniable. Jim has always given freely of his time for Orange, serving as a volunteer fireman for over 20 years, past Assistant Treasurer of the Volunteer Fire Association and Co-Chairman of the Orange Agricultural Fair.
Jim knows the people of Orange. He listens to them and identifies with them and their problems. He is always genuinely interested in offering his advice and help. Jim tackles issues head-on and goes out of his way to find win-win solutions. He is the type of leader that considers the feelings of all residents from the very young to our growing senior population.
Jim is ready to continue his leadership of Orange as our First Selectman. His honest straightforward leadership style is right for Orange. It is right for seniors. It is right for children. It is right for education. It is right for economic development. It is right for business. It is right for open space. It is right for all taxpayers. AND...Jim's straightforward, honest leadership style needs to continue!
An Interesting story about Jim's commitment to Orange
Excerpts from the speech’s nominating and seconding Jim Zeoli for First selectman
Ralph Okenquist
B.S. Fairfield University
M.B.A. University of New Haven
Fred Wolfe Park Committee 1995-98
Park & Rec Commission 9 years, 5 years as Chairman Capital Planning Committee Chair
Allied Signal - Manager
Advanced
Business Program Planning
Chandler Evans - Senior Program Administrator
“As a selectman, I will continue utilizing my business, management, municipal, and capital planning expertise to cost effectively plan and implement continuing improvements in our School and Town facilities.”
Judy Wright Williams
Board of Selectmen - 12 years
B.S. Southern Connecticut State University
M.S. Special Education
Southern Connecticut State University
Graduate of the Orange and Amity
School Systems
Teacher 33 years, Orange School System
Human Service Commission
Historic District Commission
Orange Cemetery Association
“My special interests in serving on the Board of Selectmen are to promote educational excellence in our schools and to preserve the rural character and the historic core values of Orange. This includes open space preservation and effective cost management to improve the quality of life for both families with children and seniors who want to remain in Orange close to their children and grandchildren.”
John Carangelo
Orange Board of Selectmen - 8 years
B.A. Syracuse University
J.D. Quinnipiac College
School of Law
Former Judge of Probate for Orange
Practicing attorney with over 28 years of legal experience
John Carangelo has been a lifelong resident of Orange and resides with his wife Kathrine and his sons Michael and Joey.
“As a member of the Board of Selectmen I will continue my efforts to keep taxes under control for our residents, and continue to improve our towns infrastructure and schools."
Kevin Houlihan
B.S. in accounting, University of Rhode Island
Certified Public Accountant
Chairman Board of Finance since 2009
Board of Finance Member since 1999
Orange Capital Planning Committee
American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants
Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accounts
“It has been my privilege to serve on the Board of Finance since 1999. I am respectfully asking each of you as residents for your support so that I may continue to make decisions in the best interest of the Town.”
Jim Leahy
B.A. in mathematics, Bates College
MBA, Harvard Business School
Orange Board of Finance, 2005 - present
Vice Chairman – Orange Board of Finance, 2009 -2023
Amity Finance Committee, 2005 – 2009
Orange man of the year Award, 2000
Served on Army, US Government,
Sikorsky Leadership Team:
OMEGA project and ICE project
Jim brings over 35 years of experience and a proven track record of accomplishment with Fortune 100 organizations. He has consistently communicated his overarching theme of “Doing More with Less” and shown how to utilize those principles in Town budgeting & government. During his ten-year tenure, Orange has reduced its spending 57% annually while maintaining town services and educational excellence. Jim currently works at Sikorsky Aircraft as the leader of Enterprise Transformation projects.
“When I first came in 1983, I considered the Town of Orange a ‘hidden gem, a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Since then, it has been my pleasure to volunteer and contribute to our Town. I respectfully ask for your support to continue in my role on the Board of Finance. Thank you.”
Doing more with less...
Conservative Budgeting Practices led to savings through spending controls.
Strong fiscal policies implemented by Jim Zeoli's administration has resulted in Orange's S&P AAA Rating.
Judy Smith
MBA. in Restaurant & Hotel Management
University of New Haven
B.S. in Marketing - University of Connecticut
General Manager Orange Hills Country Club
Instructor – University of New Haven,
1986-1988
Member of the Orange Town Planning and Zoning Board: 1995, 1999, 2003, 2011-2019
Elected Vice Chairman of Planning and Zoning Commission, January 2006 to Present
“I pledge to promote the economic development of Orange by striking a balance between the quality of life of the residential districts and our vibrant commercial and light industrial zones; Implement zoning regulations which promote coordinated development of the town and general welfare of residents. I will utilize my many years of zoning experience to address the future zoning challenges facing Orange infrastructure, open space, housing and commercial development.”
Tom Torrenti
B.S. Civil Engineering, Syracuse University
Owner of Thomas A. Torrenti, P.C.
Consulting Structural Engineers
Founded in 1986
Licensed Professional Engineer
State of Connecticut
Tom is an ACE Mentor Program Volunteer for Students interested in pursuing careers in Science, Engineering & Architecture.
Tom and Donna Torrenti have resided in Orange for 40 years and have 3 children.
“As a lifelong Orange resident, it is an honor and a privilege to serve on the Town Plan and Zoning Commission.
I will use my 40 years of engineering and construction experience to make decisions that preserve property values and quality of life in Orange. I will uphold the goals of the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development in order to benefit Orange residents.”
B. S. Industrial Technology, CCSU
M. S. Counseling in Higher Education, SCSU
Administrative Assistant to the First Selectman
Town of Orange 2012-2019
Orange Board of Education - Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent 2019 – present
As a result of her extensive experience working closely with all Orange municipal offices, Mary is uniquely qualified to serve as Town Clerk.
B. S. Michigan State University
M.S. Economics, Wayne State University
PMI—Project Management
APBM, Certified Business Manager
USAF Veteran (Captain)
Sr Vice Commander American Legion Post 127
Tom Hurley been dedicated the people of Orange for many years. As a member of the Amity Board of Education for over 13 years Tom served as Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary.
Tom is a Financial Professional, owner of Thomas Hurley Consulting LLC and a APBM Certified Business Manager. He is uniquely qualified to serve as Tax Collector.
Bill Kraut
Chairman, Orange Board of Education
B.S. University of Rhode Island
Business Owner of Newport Tennis, Inc.
Active member of Turkey Hill School PTA
“As a father of an Orange school student and as a board member, my number one priority is to provide a safe and secure environment for our children to receive the best education possible. We will provide the most advanced technology to keep our children on the cutting edge of tomorrow.
Ken Ziman
B. S. in marketing, University of Bridgeport
M. S. in education, University of Bridgeport
8th Year in Education
Classroom Teacher Specialist,
Southern Connecticut State University Elementary School Teacher K – Grade 6 Bridgeport CT 36 Years
Former Member NEASC Evaluation Team
Ken Ziman is a 35 year resident of Orange with his wife Pat Ziman. Ken is the father of 2 children who attended Orange Public Schools and graduated from Amity.
“For me, teaching was always a calling, never a job. I have been teaching adults as well as children for the bulk of my adult life. I will continue to use what I know about how people learn, and combine it with what I have experienced as a parent and citizen to serve the children of Orange on the Board of education.”
Anthony Scarinzi
B.A. Computer Science and Business, Southern Connecticut State University
Graduate Amity Regional High School.
Class of 1996
Computer Programmer, Aquarion Water Company, Shelton - 1999 to present
Anthony lives in Orange with his wife Amanda and their two children.
"I have lived in Orange my entire life. As a third-generation Orange resident, I understand the value of our excellent schools and the impact that our system has had on the success of our students. I now have two children and a nephew in the Orange School System and want to help ensure that the best education possible for them and their classmates continues."
Dana Lombardi
B.S. Southern CT State University
Dick Clark Productions 1995-97
Viacom 1997-2000, Manhattan
Television Production and Management
Yale University Financial assistant
2000- present
Turkey Hill School & Amity Middle School PTA
Dana lives in Orange with her husband Chad, sons Dominick and Carlo, and her dogs Buck and Mocha.
"As a proud mother of two wonderful children who thrived within the Orange/Amity school system, I am thrilled to be running for the Amity Board of Education.
My passion for serving has been uniquely shaped by one of my sons, who has bravely faced and triumphed over a learning disability. It is with this deeply personal experience that I am committed to using my position on the board to be a strong advocate for this often-overlooked group, ensuring that their voices are not just heard but celebrated.
I support a truly inclusive and nurturing learning environment for every student."
Mike McDonough
B.S. Business Management and Administration
Albertus Magnus University
CT Paramedic Licensure
Norwalk Community College
CT Massage therapy Licensure
Galen Institute for Alternative Medicine
Little Engineering Services
Outside Sales and Service Representative
2005-present
President/Owner
-Sage Ave LLC
-K&M Property Management LLC
2007-Present
American Medical Response
Senior Preceptor Paramedic
1994-2005
Member of Inlands Wetlands Commission
Town of Orange
Peck Place & Amity Middle School PTA
Orange Little League Softball Coach
2015- 2021
Michael lives in town with his daughter, and their dog Friday .
"A proud single father of a wonderful daughter who has benefited from the incredible school system and all it has to offer, especially our faculty, I look forward to representing the town and working to keep Orange schools the excellent institutions we have been proud of and are known for. My daughter has five more years until graduation, and I want to ensure that she and all incoming families are guaranteed the best possible education and experience while enrolled in our school system."
Cathy Bradley
B.A. &
B.S. Business Economics,
University of Connecticut
MBA University of New Haven
Public Service
Board of Directors
Orange Chamber of Commerce
Advisory Board for Dean of Business School University of New Haven
Member of Zoning Board of Appeals
Network of Executive Woman member
President at Large Rotary of Orange
Jody Daymon
Mike Donadeo
Glen
Papelo
Gary Palermo