Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra will be leaving office at the end of this term, after nearly a decade leading the town.

As she looks back on the eight years, she is awed at the passage of time and how significant it’s been in her own personal life, and an incredibly impactful period of time for the town. Llodra says if she’s been helpful, she is thankful for the wonderful opportunity to do some work that she has loved.

When Llodra took office in December 2009, Newtown was beginning to feel the full impact of the recession. Under her leadership, there have been two increases in bond rating. Newtown is AAA rated, which allows the town to sell bonds at favorable rates, which in turn allows Newtown to continue to invest in big capital projects.

The first time Llodra was elected, she won a four-way race for the open position. In 2011, she had an opponent, but the next two terms Llodra went unchallenged. She says she has felt privileged that Newtown residents have trusted her with their future to the extent that she can help create a positive environment in the town.