Joe Campolieta

Planning Commission

Current Office: Planning Commission, Conservation Commission Secretary, Simsbury Democratic Town Committee

My interest in land use started about 20 years ago as a board member of the North Simsbury Coalition. At the time, Griffin Land, the development arm of Culbro Tobacco, had proposed high-density overdevelopment of the land with over 600 homes to be built on the tobacco fields on Firetown Road and those near Squadron Line School.  That development was called Meadowood. North Simsbury Coalition understood the negative environmental issues that would arise with this over-development of the land. I learned about pesticide use, aquifers, vernal pools, wastewater management, traffic engineering reports, and a host of other important land use issues that impact our quality of life, our drinking water, and our views and vistas. My passion for proper land use continued by being elected to a full term as an alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals followed by the Zoning Commission. There I learned about the regulations governing our land use, how we grow, and the impact that growth can have on residents. I now serve as a commissioner on the Conservation Commission which serves as the regulatory arm of DEEP for Simsbury’s inland waterways and wetlands and serves in an advisory role to Zoning and Planning on all conservation issues. In addition, I am a founding board member of the Simsbury Pollinator Pathway. We are a 501c3 environmental advocacy organization dedicated to the revitalization of our pollinator population that has been decimated by unsustainable land use practices, indiscriminate spraying of pesticides, and planting of invasive plants.

We have a great many critical land use issues that Simsbury will face in the future. Issues like what will our growth look like? How do we balance development with sustainable environmental practices? What does affordable housing look like in Simsbury?

Please help me put my experience, proven record of service and advocacy, as well as my knowledge and passion to work for you on the Planning Commission. Vote for Joe Campolieta for Planning Commission on November 2nd.  

Past or present Boards/Commissions/Volunteer work:

Present: Simsbury Pollinator Pathway - Founding Board Member
2019 - Present: Conservation Commission – Commissioner
2018 – Present: Simsbury Historical Society - Board of Directors
2017 - 2019: Zoning Commission – Alternate
2016 - Present: Simsbury Meadow Performing Arts - Board of Directors
2015 - 2017: Zoning Board of Appeals – Alternate
2001-2005: Board of Directors, North Simsbury Coalition
2000-2019-Simsbury Summer Theatre-Artistic and Music Director

Employment History: I spent almost 20 years in the private sector in various management positions in sales and marketing. In 2001, I began my career in education as a teacher in the Torrington Public Schools. In 2013, I was promoted to Director of Human Resources for the district, the position from which I retired. I am currently semi-retired and drive a school bus for the Granby School District.

Education: I received a Bachelor of Education from SUNY Potsdam, Potsdam, NY and completed post-graduate work at Syracuse University and CCSU.