Biography
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Representative Clark Chapin, was first elected on November 7, 2000 to serve the people of the 67th District. He was re-elected to his fourth term November 7, 2006. The 67th district encompasses the majority of New Milford. He serves as Ranking Member (House Republican Leader) of the General Assembly's Environment Committee and as a member of the Appropriations Committee and Human Services Committee.
During six years in state office, Rep. Chapin has played an instrumental role in the agreement to build a new Litchfield County Courthouse and to renovate the existing historic one. As part of the agreement, Rep. Chapin introduced legislation to allow New Milford residents to file civil suits and claims at the Danbury Courthouse and also have the option to file civil suits and claims at the current Litchfield Courthouse and a Bantam Superior Court facility if they wish.
Rep. Chapin has also played a major role in facilitating progress of the Route 7 expansion project, which will widen the roadway from Bridge Street in New Milford to the Brookfield town line. These efforts include working with other area legislators to see that state Department of Transportation (DOT) officials reinstated the original project timeline after it was marked for delay in 2003.
Rep. Chapin has been a strong advocate for agriculture during his tenure in the Legislature as evidenced by being named "Legislator of the Year" by the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association in 2003 and 2005. In bestowing the award, the association lauded his work on the Environment Committee and commended his experience and knowledge of agricultural issues. In 2004, The Connecticut Association of Realtors (CAR) honored Rep. Chapin Clark as a 'Voice For Real Estate' for his commitment to sunset expanded real estate tax. In 2006, he received the Connecticut Water Works Association’s ‘Legislator of the Year Award’ for his leadership on issues affecting Connecticut’s public water supplies and water quality.
Raised in a family actively involved in local government, Rep. Chapin was no stranger to public service prior to his election to the Legislature. In 1992, he was elected to the New Milford Republican Town Committee and later served as its vice-chairman. Seeking a more active role in local government, he campaigned for a seat on the New Milford Town Council in 1995 and was elected to his first term that November. He was re-elected in 1997 and 1999 and also served as the council's vice-chairman. He resigned from the council in December 2000 to assume his legislative responsibilities.
His lengthy public service record also includes presently serving on the Local Emergency Planning Committee and Fire Alarm Appeal Board, having previously served on the Farm Tax Exclusion Committee and as an alternate to the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority. In addition, he has served as Vice-Chairman of the Municipal Pool Committee, as a member of the Long-Range Capital Planning Committee for Unimproved Roads, Chairman of the New Milford Traffic Authority and as a member of the Water Pollution Control Authority.
Rep. Chapin attended New Milford public schools, graduating from New Milford High School in 1979. He later earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and Technology at the University of Rhode Island. He has been a self-employed carpenter in New Milford since 1988. Rep. Chapin has two sons, Ryan and Michael.
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