EAST HAVEN

In his State of the Town address delivered on March 26, East Haven Mayor Joseph Carfora touted the development of multiple town services and addressed the “tough decisions” that need to be made in order to maintain the town’s financial growth and ability to serve its citizens.

Carfora began his speech by asking attendees to engage in a moment of silence for the people who died in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that recently happened in Baltimore.

Following that, the mayor began his speech, in which he stated that the “state of our town is one of growth,” but also one of “real determination to overcome a period of neglect as we tackle projects that were previously ignored.”

Carfora said that “tough decisions” will have to be made given the pressures the town is facing due to unfunded mandates imposed by the state and federal government for which the town was found responsible to carry out on its own in a 2016 lawsuit against Carfora’s predecessor, Joseph Maturo, Jr. These mandates have affected multiple town departments.

“The failure to invest in our town's infrastructure, its services, meeting its contractual obligations, and defending its interests against lawsuits, and appealing those that were left to us, forces me to confront the reality of our situation,” said Carfora.

That situation has resulted in a request to the Town Council to increase the mill rate by 2.05 mills, moving from 31.2 mills to 33.25 mills. Rather than utilizing the town’s fund balance (also known as a rainy day fund) that has grown more than $5.4 million since Carfora first took office in 2019, the mayor said that raising the town’s property tax rate is the best path to maintain a rebuilt reputation with S&P Global Ratings.

The nation’s largest credit agency rated East Haven as “A positive” last fall, marking a sign of greater financial performance that includes its budgeting practices in recent years. On the notion of relying upon the fund balance and not raising taxes, Carfora said that strategy “in practice...is a recipe for disaster” compared to a “responsible plan” of increasing the mill rate.

“It is critical that we confront the harsh realities of our past to fully appreciate the strides that we have made and the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

On the highly contentious subject of the proposed expansion of Tweed New Haven Airport, Carfora said this particular action does not amount to “an attempted unfunded mandate” since “Tweed, the City of New Haven, and the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] are attempting to move forward as though the interests of our town do not exist.”

Carfora reassured the town of his administration’s intent to push back against the expansion of the airport.

Carfora then turned his attention to the various town departments and services. In the area of public safety, the mayor praised the work and accomplishments of the town’s Fire and Police departments, as well as their continued commitment to keeping the community safe.

Carfora said these departments are being affected by unfunded mandates. The East Haven Police Department is facing mandates from the state’s Police Accountability Act, which is pressuring the state for more accreditation in its local police departments.

The East Haven Fire Department is also under pressure from state mandates that Carfora said are “nearly impossible to comply with” without an expanded force.

For these reasons, the mayor is looking at future additions to both departments that would “further bolster our emergency response capabilities and enhance our ability to serve our community in times of need.”

A theme throughout the mayor’s speech related to the significant boosts in the town’s technological capabilities that have streamlined services and increased access to information for residents. The IT Department, a newer addition to the town, was highlighted for finally bringing Town Hall into the digital age.

“We recognize the pivotal role technology plays in shaping our future, but most importantly, making it easier for our taxpayers and stakeholders to access the services that they need in an orderly and efficient manner,” said Carfora.

The Recreation Department was recognized for major boosts to its facilities. Carfora spoke about the improvements and expansion of activities at the renovated DiLungo Veterans Memorial Ice Rink and the former Vernon Hays School building, as well as a new, all-inclusive playground funded by American Plan Rescue Act (ARPA) funds to be constructed at the former skate park location at Joseph Melillo Middle School.

Social services for East Haven residents of all demographics were praised for their growth and providing of new opportunities for residents ranging from teenagers to seniors. These include new and enhanced programming at the Senior Center and the launch of Youth Services.

Carfora spoke highly of a new program also intended for East Haven youth called the the Yellowjacket Mentoring Program, which aims to provide “mentorship and support to today's teens and future generations, empowering them to reach their full potential and become leaders in our community and beyond,” he said.

Carfora touted one his administration’s “most significant accomplishments” with the partnership between East Haven Animal Control and North Branford that was established in July 2023, along with the efforts of the Public Works team to “enhance our infrastructure, beautify our parks, and ensure the safety and well-being of our community.“

In his closing remarks, Carfora reflected upon the strides the town has made under his administration and the challenges that continue to lie ahead. Ultimately, he envisioned a bright future for East Haven “in the face of adversity” and a place where its residents “can all be proud to call home.”

“As we move forward, let us remember that the true measure of our success lies not in our ability to avoid challenges, but in our resilience in the face of adversity,” said Carfora. “Let us embrace the opportunities that lie before us and continue to build a community that we can all be proud to call home. The signs of our progress are everywhere.”