Mayor’s Office

Mayor Jill Rusk

Jill Rusk has been a proud resident of Groton for more than 26 years. She and her husband, Jason, first moved to the City when he was stationed here with the U.S. Navy, serving aboard submarines. After his retirement, they chose to put down roots on Groton Bank, raising their three children in the community they’d long called home. Married for over 30 years, Jill and Jason are now proud grandparents, and Jill enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and paddleboarding. Jill holds a Bachelor's degree in History and Political Science.

With a 25-year career in social services, Jill has built a strong network across Southeastern Connecticut, helping connect individuals and families in crisis with vital community resources. Prior to becoming Mayor, Jill served as Community Impact Resource Manager for United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, where she coordinated dozens of volunteers and oversaw mobile food pantries serving hundreds of families each week. Her work was driven by a deep commitment to reducing food insecurity and strengthening local support systems.

Jill’s public service experience runs deep. She has served Groton in multiple elected and volunteer roles over the past decade, including on the Groton City Council (2015–2019), the Representative Town Meeting – District 3 (2019–2023), where she was elected Moderator by her peers, and most recently, the Groton Town Council (2023-2025). In addition, she worked as Executive Administrator to the Mayor of the City of Groton (2019–2022), gaining firsthand experience in municipal operations, interdepartmental collaboration, and community engagement. Her leadership has been grounded in a practical understanding of how local government can deliver meaningful results for residents.

Beyond her elected and professional work, Jill is a trustee of the Bill Memorial Library Board (since 2021) and has previously served on the City of Groton Youth Advisory Board (2014-2018) and as Ombudsman (command liaison to families) for the USS Connecticut (SSN-22) for three years (2003-2006).

Vision for Groton’s Future

As Mayor, Jill is committed to guiding Groton through a period of growth and opportunity with a clear, community-centered vision. Her top priorities include:

• Revitalizing Thames Street: Breathing new life into Groton’s historic corridor by promoting walkable, tree-lined streets, creating green spaces, and working with property owners to reduce vacancies. Jill also supports common-sense zoning changes that expand housing options for working families while preserving neighborhood character.
• Investing in Public Parks: Expanding trails and recreation areas throughout the city and identifying new locations for pocket parks to enhance access to outdoor spaces and improve residents’ quality of life.
• Planning for Sustainable Growth: Leading the development of a long-term strategy to address the region’s economic expansion, including the surge at Electric Boat and evolving opportunities at Pfizer—focusing on smart approaches to parking, traffic, and housing that ensure Groton grows responsibly and inclusively.