Meeting the Candidate: Paul Henault for Simsbury Board of Finance

Republican Paul Henault is running for the Simsbury Board of Finance. 

Education

Boston College, B.A. Economics

University of Hartford, MBA in Finance

Work Experience

My role at The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB) is as the Senior Vice President in charge of New Business Development for our Reinsurance program.  In addition, my duties include acting as our company representative to various industry organizations.  My experience with HSB has included underwriting, marketing, branch management (San Francisco) and reinsurance.  During most of my career I have dealt with revenue and expense issues.  This has helped in my duties on the Board of Finance.

Why are you seeking office?

It is very important to me to be part of my community and use my skills in any way that helps.  This is an example that was passed down to me by my mother and father.  It also is something that I have passed on to my children.  My educational and professional skills are in the financial area, so it is natural that I would seek the Board of Finance. 

What experience do you bring to the table?

Having been elected three times by the voters of Simsbury to the Board of Finance, my experience is rather extensive.  Over the past 18 years I have worked with both Republican and Democrat 1St Selectman, three Superintendents of School and numerous members of the Boards of Selectman and Education.  They know that my approach is to ease the tax burden on homeowners and business, keep our commitment to quality schools and manage the town’s finances in a fiscally responsible way.    I have always maintained a balance between the financial needs of the town and school systems and the burden taxes place on our residents and businesses. 

I also bring the experience of raising a family.  I understand the pressures of raising a family, keeping up with a career, paying taxes and trying to give back to your community.  During the years I have coached house soccer, travel basketball, and Little League, Babe Ruth and Fall High School baseball.  My wife Terry has a career of her own as an elementary school teacher and we are both Eucharistic Ministers at St Mary’s Church.  These are very positive experiences that are very helpful to me in my position on the Board of Finance

What do you feel is the town’s most pressing issue?

Without a doubt it is the loss of tax revenue from The Hartford.  We have already lost almost half of our tax revenue from The Hartford over the past three years, and potentially could lose most of the remaining amount in the next two years.  What this does is lower our grand list, or taxable amount, and transfer that taxable liability to our remaining taxpayers.  It means we are going to have to reevaluate our town services, educational system and capital expenditures even further in the next two or more years.  Going door to door as I have over the past few weeks, this is just about the only topic people want to discuss.  They recognize the town has a challenge that needs new thinking and direction.  This can be done and I am very positive that the Board of Finance will do its part and take make the fiscally responsible decisions as we have in the past.

What do you love most about town?

Simsbury has a vibrant sense of community and this is manifested by the hundreds of volunteers we have on town boards, commissions, churches, social organizations, sports teams and veteran groups. Think about Simsbury Celebrates, Septemberfest, the Arts and Craft festival, and many other events.  It all happens because of volunteers who love their community.  I also like having the ability to go with my wife Terry and walk the dogs at Great Pond, Town Forest or Talcott Mountain.

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to golf, fish in Cape Cod Bay, walk my dogs and spend time with my wife and our three grown children, Katie, David and Meghan.  My nightly reading is always for relaxation and is a very eclectic fair between history, fiction and biographies.

How can residents keep up with you?

My email is www.phenault@simsbury-ct.gov and my phone is 860-658-6678.