In Appreciation: Jim Dresser

Salisbury lost a great leader this week with the passing of Jim Dresser. Few can match his record of service to his town.

Jim grew up and attended school in Salisbury. Though his career, first in the Air Force and then in private business, took him all over the world, his Salisbury roots drew him back home.

His service to the town took many forms, from his 12 years as a Selectman to his involvement in a wide range of nonprofit organizations, but we want to highlight his tireless work to address the issue of affordable housing.

Jim was a founding member of the Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission in 2010 and served faithfully until his passing this week. His vision of a town where the people who work and volunteer here can also afford to call it their home pushed Salisbury to face its housing affordability concerns long before other towns in Connecticut even fully articulated the problem. Today, Salisbury is held up as a beacon of progress to neighboring towns, an example of how to wrestle with housing costs in a way that strengthens the fabric of the community.

But volunteer work was not enough for Jim! He really did “walk the walk” when he donated 5 acres of his own land, literally in his backyard at the time, to the Salisbury Housing Committee for the purpose of constructing affordable rental units. Plans for Dresser Woods are well underway; the eventual development will be a lasting legacy of Jim’s generosity, vision, and service to his community.

In a recent interview for the Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission’s monthly newsletter, Jim spoke of “leading from the front.” As friends and colleagues, we were fortunate to follow his lead.

Jim’s passing leaves some big shoes to fill, but he has ensured we have the tools and the vision we need to continue his work, and it is an honor to do so.

Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission