Melissa Salafia Talevi was born in Middletown and moved to Higganum in 1982. After graduating from Mercy High School in 1977, she followed a path to accounting. She has worked as such in many different industries-general contractors, restaurant, photographer, CPA and an advertising agency. She then opened her very own accounting business Checks + Balances LLC where she retains 8 clients. She handles the accounting of her husbands business Plumb & Level Construction Corporation. While raising her son who is now 28, she worked her creative side with eMpTy Glass Studio, designing and fabricating custom stained glass windows.

Melissa volunteers her time for Warm The Children and The Alzheimers Association and her services for House of Heroes. In her free time she is an avid backpacker/hiker/trailrunner and practices yoga. Read more about our candidates.