The 2025 Municipal Election

Henry Tirrell – First Selectman

Henry currently serves as a Selectman and has lived in Norfolk for 37 years. He and his partner Robin have two children, Charlie, who is 6 and in the 1 st grade at Botelle, and Josie, who is 1. Henry is eager to continue working for the residents of Norfolk and helping the community thrive.

Leo Colwell – Selectman

Leo has spent most of his life in Norfolk and worn various hats over the years – firefighter with the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years, member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Selectman for 14 years. Leo has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to the town of Norfolk and has been recognized as Volunteer of the Year twice.

Deborah Nelson – Town Clerk

Debbie was born and raised in Connecticut and moved to Norfolk in 2020. She became the Assistant Town Clerk in May 2021, passed the Town Clerk Certification Exam in 2024 and was appointed as Town Clerk in October 2024. She also is a member of the Town Website Committee and the Pension Committee. Debbie is looking forward to being elected and greeting everyone who visits the office of the Town Clerk with a friendly smile and a helping hand.

Chelsea DeWitt – Town Treasurer

Chelsea has served as Town Treasurer since 2023. She has lived and worked in Norfolk for 45 years, and been at Town Hall most mornings, Monday-Friday, for the last 22 years. Chelsea’s three daughters all attended Botelle School and Regional High School. Over the year, she has volunteered teaching Religious Education at the Catholic Church and was a Girl Scout Leader for two different troops.

Grant Mudge – Board of Finance

Grant currently serves on the Board of Finance and is seeking reelection for another term. He is very active in the community, serving on the ambulance squad and volunteering for a number of organizations including the Lions Club and the Land Trust.

Bart Wenrich – Board of Finance Alternate

Bart, a Norfolk resident and television producer, has been involved in several community-based efforts and currently serves as an alternate on the Planning & Zoning Commission, bringing financial and organizational experience from his career into a focus on responsible budgeting and town planning.

Walter Godlewski – Board of Assessment Appeals and Zoning Board of Appeals, Alternate

Walter has chaired the Board of Assessment Appeals for the last five years and served on the Zoning Board of Appeals since 2021. He also serves on the Board of Education and is active in the community, helping lead the Community Association and the Land Trust, among other organizations.

John DeShazo – Board of Education

John has deep family ties to Norfolk and was first elected to the Board of Education in 2019. You’ve probably seen him behind around town sound boards as he frequently volunteers his sound and lighting expertise for events in Norfolk.

Jeremy Withnell – Board of Education

Jeremy and his wife Alicia moved to Norfolk 9 years ago and have a son who is a second grader at Botelle. Jeremy is a librarian at Connecticut State Community College in Winsted and is running as a way to serve the Norfolk community which has been so welcoming to his family.

Christopher Schaut – Planning and Zoning Commission

Chris has lived in Norfolk since 2017, joined the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2019 and has been serving as chair since January 2025. A city planner by background, Chris has a Masters in Urban Planning and works as an analyst in the land use division of a real estate development practice group for a major Hartford law firm.

Wiley Wood – Planning and Zoning Commission

Wiley has served on Planning and Zoning Commission since 2021 and is seeking reelection for a second term. He has also served as an editor and writer for Norfolk Now and is a past member of the ambulance squad.

Steve Landes – Planning and Zoning Commission

Steve is also seeking reelection to the Planning and Zoning Commission. He is a retired attorney, and he and his wife Bonnie have been full-time Norfolk residents for the last decade.

Chris Peterson – Zoning Board of Appeals

Chris has served on the Zoning Board of Appeals since 2019. A longtime Norfolk resident and cabinet maker, Chris is a past member of the ambulance squad.