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10/06/2023 04:40 PMNORTH HAVEN
Town electors in North Haven voted unanimously in approval of a total of $16,966,000 for several appropriations to town services and projects at the annual Town Meeting on Sept. 18. These appropriations will go to support services in waste management, water pollution control and conservation, infrastructure, recreation, senior housing, and buildings.
In contrast to previous town meetings, all of the appropriations were voted on individually, rather than being part of a single bonding package. First Selectman Mike Freda said some members of the audience of citizens may have “a certain inclination to really want one in particular,” which is why the passage of the resolutions was best suited to be considered on an individual basis.
While the appropriations total close to $17 million, several “shall be reduced by the amount of grants or other funds received and not separately appropriated for the project[s]” to reduce the town’s share of them by varying amounts.
Recycling Center
Electors approved $355,000 for repairs and improvements to the town’s Recycling Center/Transfer Station. The major factor in this resolution is to relocate the Recycling Center from its current location on Elm Street to Powdered Metal Road. Freda said the town discovered the center location on the street amounted to a zoning violation.
“We have 13 or 14 acres of land that would suit [the center] perfectly,” Freda said.
The appropriations would support numerous responsibilities, including paving and leveling the grounds of the center’s new location and placing new bins and containers that are handicapped-accessible.
Water Pollution Control Facility Studies
$815,000 was approved by voters for water pollution control facility studies that will consist of “a sanitary sewer evaluation study and an inflow and infiltration study,” read the resolution.
The town found last year underneath the Sackett Point Road bridge a crushed sewer pipe that lies in the Quinnipiac River. Seventy percent of those in North Haven rely upon the town’s sewage system, and ignoring the issue could’ve meant sewage backups affecting 20% of that population.
“These studies involving sanitary sewer evaluations and inflows and infiltration are designed to protect the 70% of people of sewer [water] so that there’s no problem in the future,” said Freda. “Not doing the evaluation creates a possibility where sewer lines underneath the road can get blocked, [there] could be roots...blockages, and possible sewer backup.”
The town is seeking to secure grants from the Clean Water Fund program of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to support the studies, which would reduce the resolution’s initial appropriations by $447,550. That leaves $366,174 as the remainder of the town’s share, which will come out of the Water Pollution Control Authority’s enterprise fund, not the town’s general budget.
Infrastructure Improvements
As previously reported in The Courier, electors approved $6,407,000 for critical infrastructure improvements at Pool Road, Kings Highway, and Hartford Turnpike that revolve around drainage management at each location and the repaving of town roads. These appropriations may be reduced by $3,272,000 in anticipation of grants from the Department of Transportation. This would leave the town’s share to $1,071,467 for the projects.
Five Mile Brook
Electors approved $193,000 for the Five Mile Brook channel clearing conservation project. It is another resolution centering around water management and is intended for emergency watershed protection and to meet past residential concerns about flooding, with Five Mile Brook at the center of the strategy that also considers the threat of climate change.
“We see more and more storms will have a greater impact than perhaps they’ve had down through the years,” said Freda. “A lot of what we’re doing tonight on drainage...is preventing potential catastrophes for the residents in the event that these rainstorms continue to deliver significant impacts.”
Anticipated grants from the Natural Resources Conservation Service are expected to reduce the town’s share by $148,000, leaving $45,000 for the town’s share.
Recreation Facilities Improvements
Approval was given for $751,000 for “various repairs and improvements to sports and recreation facilities,” read the resolution. These include replacing the two playscapes behind the town Recreation Center, supporting the new Town Green bandstand, and for repairs and installation of lighting at Brozek Softball Field and DeMayo Baseball Field. Freda touted North Haven’s good reputation for its athletic facilities and that these funds would help “enhance and perpetuate that reputation.”
Anticipated grants from the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) are expected to total $282,000, leaving the town’s share at $469,000.
Temple Pines Senior Housing
Electors approved $5,700,000 for “repairs and improvements to the Temple Pines Senior Housing Facility,” such as interior and exterior repairs to windows, the roof, and utilities, read the resolution.
Freda said the resolution is intended to improve conditions for the 30 units at the facility that houses senior citizens with limited incomes. Upgrades will include making the facility fully ADA compliant and a “rejuvenation of the exterior with vinyl sightings,” said Freda.
An already secured Community Development Block Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will fulfill the entirety of the $5.7 million appropriation, completely eliminating the town’s share.
Building Improvements
The final resolution came in the form of $2,745,000 “for improvements and replacements to various Town buildings.” Identified upgrades to buildings include lighting and roofing at the North Haven Memorial Library, roof replacement at the Walter Gawrych Community Pool, replacement of a van used by the North Haven Senior Center, and repairs to the HVAC system at Town Hall.
Grants, including a STEAP already awarded to the town last month and funds from the town’s American Rescue Plan Act pool, are expected to reduce the projects by $841,000, leaving the town’s share at $434,000.