This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Town Grand List Increases, but Freda Still Concerned

While First Selectman Michael Freda is “delighted’’ that North Haven’s grand list grew by more than $30 million in fiscal year 2015, he has concerns about what he sees ahead.

“The town is doing fine,’’ said Freda, “but I am worried about what we are seeing on the state side of things.’’

The first selectman said the town stands to lose about $150,000 in state aid in the next fiscal year from current allotments as the state struggles to find a way to pay its own bills and debts.

“We face a declining stream of state revenue,’’ said Freda. “So that puts us in a tight position of what town and school agencies are asking for and what our taxpayers can afford.’’

North Haven’s grand list growth, 1 percent over the previous year, helped bring in more than $600,000 in additional tax revenue to the town during fiscal year 2015.

“We anticipate continued commercial growth in town in all areas,’’ said Freda, during the next year. “We also expect to see growth on the industrial side.

“But on the cautionary side,’’ the first selectman continued, “When we see major employers such as GE (General Electric in Fairfield) leaving the state, it causes concern.

“We all have key businesses in our towns and we need to keep our mill rates down to make the business climate attractive,’’ said Freda.