John Pelliccia (D)
Stamford Board of Representatives, District 19 2025 Election
Accounting and Finance Professional / Software Development
With a professional background in accounting, finance, and software development, I approach issues with a clear, analytical mindset. Raised by teachers, I value listening, fairness, and continuous learning, principles that guide how I approach public service. I believe in focusing on facts over politics and following through until problems are solved. If elected, I will be committed to making sure our city’s decisions are as responsible and well-run as the community deserves.
My top priority is ensuring that Stamford grows responsibly, strengthening neighborhoods rather than overwhelming them. Development should align with our infrastructure, schools, and environment, not outpace them. With a background in accounting, finance, and software development, I want to bring a data-driven approach to city decision-making by improving transparency, modernizing how projects are evaluated, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. My goal is a city that plans for the long term, supports local families, and preserves the character that makes Stamford a great place to live.
Members of the Board of Representatives do not get final say on issues like development and affordable housing, but that doesn’t mean we take a back seat on the discussion.
Stamford’s long-term plan must reflect both opportunity and realism. Growth can strengthen our city if it’s managed responsibly, guided by data, and aligned with infrastructure, schools, and transportation capacity. I believe new housing should be concentrated where it makes sense, such as near transit corridors, downtown, and in areas already served by utilities and public services, while respecting the character of established neighborhoods and protecting our environmental resources.
A sustainable housing strategy requires a balance of options: apartments for young professionals, townhomes for growing families, and affordable homes for essential workers. To achieve this, the city must modernize how it evaluates development by using transparent data on school capacity, traffic impacts, and service levels, and by making that information easily available to residents.
My goal is to ensure growth happens in step with the resources that support it. That means coordinating zoning, budgeting, and infrastructure planning so development enhances quality of life rather than straining it. Responsible growth, grounded in transparency and long-term planning, can help Stamford remain both vibrant and livable for generations to come.
Stamford’s long-term plan must reflect both opportunity and realism. Growth can strengthen our city if it’s managed responsibly, guided by data, and aligned with infrastructure, schools, and transportation capacity. I believe new housing should be concentrated where it makes sense, such as near transit corridors, downtown, and in areas already served by utilities and public services, while respecting the character of established neighborhoods and protecting our environmental resources.
A sustainable housing strategy requires a balance of options: apartments for young professionals, townhomes for growing families, and affordable homes for essential workers. To achieve this, the city must modernize how it evaluates development by using transparent data on school capacity, traffic impacts, and service levels, and by making that information easily available to residents.
My goal is to ensure growth happens in step with the resources that support it. That means coordinating zoning, budgeting, and infrastructure planning so development enhances quality of life rather than straining it. Responsible growth, grounded in transparency and long-term planning, can help Stamford remain both vibrant and livable for generations to come.
The Board of Representatives does not get to decide where every dollar for affordable housing comes from—but I see my job as fighting for new ideas and pushing to get more resources on the table.
Stamford’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund is an important tool, but it needs both additional funding sources and stronger accountability to make a real impact. We can expand its reach by dedicating a portion of new development fees, leveraging tax increment revenues from major projects, and pursuing partnerships with local employers and institutions that depend on a nearby workforce.
I would also strengthen and expand Stamford’s participation in state and federal housing programs such as Connecticut’s Transit-Oriented Development and Housing Trust Fund initiatives, and federal HOME and CDBG grants, to ensure we capture every available resource. These programs already support affordable and mixed-income housing near transit and jobs, but Stamford can do more to coordinate them and target funds where they are most effective.
Just as important as raising more money is ensuring that every dollar is used transparently and fairly. The Trust Fund’s spending should be tracked publicly, showing which projects receive support, how many affordable units are created, and at what cost. Funding decisions should follow clear, published criteria that prioritize long-term affordability, proximity to transportation, and sustainability.
My goal is to make Stamford a leader in responsible and transparent housing policy, one that balances growth with opportunity and ensures residents can see exactly how public funds are improving our community.
Stamford’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund is an important tool, but it needs both additional funding sources and stronger accountability to make a real impact. We can expand its reach by dedicating a portion of new development fees, leveraging tax increment revenues from major projects, and pursuing partnerships with local employers and institutions that depend on a nearby workforce.
I would also strengthen and expand Stamford’s participation in state and federal housing programs such as Connecticut’s Transit-Oriented Development and Housing Trust Fund initiatives, and federal HOME and CDBG grants, to ensure we capture every available resource. These programs already support affordable and mixed-income housing near transit and jobs, but Stamford can do more to coordinate them and target funds where they are most effective.
Just as important as raising more money is ensuring that every dollar is used transparently and fairly. The Trust Fund’s spending should be tracked publicly, showing which projects receive support, how many affordable units are created, and at what cost. Funding decisions should follow clear, published criteria that prioritize long-term affordability, proximity to transportation, and sustainability.
My goal is to make Stamford a leader in responsible and transparent housing policy, one that balances growth with opportunity and ensures residents can see exactly how public funds are improving our community.