Chris Viens: Transition requires steadiness

February 13, 2026

Chris Viens is running for a 3-year seat on the the Waterbury Select Board. Photo courtesy of Chris Viens

To the Community:

I am running for Select Board because I believe serving our town is a responsibility. Waterbury is at an important moment, and steady, experienced leadership matters.

I have lived and worked in this community for decades. I began as a building contractor in the mid-1980s and have operated an excavation business since the early 1990s. My work has included foundations, concrete, bridges, sidewalks, and site development. That hands-on experience has given me a practical understanding of infrastructure and costs, which is important in a town where a significant portion of the municipal budget is tied directly to buildings, roads, equipment, and public facilities.

I previously served on the Select Board during some pivotal years for Waterbury. After a 2008 bond vote of nearly $5.8 million for fire station reconstruction was rescinded, I worked with others to revisit the proposal and ultimately bring the project in under $3 million. That effort was not about cutting corners; it was about doing the homework, asking the right questions, and making sure taxpayers were not carrying more debt than necessary.

Following Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, our community faced another difficult rebuilding decision. During that time, I supported careful evaluation of large capital projects and thoughtful long-term planning. Once a town takes on debt, it affects property taxes for years. Those decisions should always be made with transparency and full awareness of their long-term impact.

Today, I believe affordability is the central issue facing Waterbury. Rising costs and increasing demands on municipal services require disciplined budgeting and realistic planning. If families cannot afford to stay in their homes, nothing else we accomplish will matter – families will ultimately vote with their feet.

We are also in a period of transition, and I believe leadership during transition requires steadiness, accountability, and respect for process. I am not running to create division. I am running to help provide practical, responsible decision-making at the board level.

I also have a deep appreciation for our town staff. The people who maintain our roads, respond to emergencies, manage our facilities, and keep our community functioning every day are the backbone of Waterbury. Good governance means supporting our staff with clear direction, realistic budgets, and thoughtful planning so they can do their jobs effectively.

If elected, I will focus on responsible growth, transparent budgeting, and practical infrastructure planning. My goal is simple: to help ensure Waterbury remains financially sustainable and fair for the people who call it home.

I am asking for your support to help lead Waterbury into a stable and affordable future. Vote Chris Viens, Selectboard, 3-year term.  Please contact me with any concerns or questions at 802-522-7054 or cpviens@gmail.com. I’d love to sit and talk.

Chris Viens

Waterbury