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12/26/2017 11:00 PMJanuary
The town received $864,242 from United Illuminating for energy efficient upgrades.
North Haven was affected when the state cut $50 million in grant funding to municipalities, and town and education officials weighed in on how they could overcome those cuts.
The BOE presented its proposed budget for the 2017-’18 fiscal year, which requested a 3.5 percent spending increase.
Residents received the first report of the new train station at State and Devine street, which could connect commuters to New Haven, Hartford, and other locations.
February
For Valentine’s Day, residents could hire Silk’n Sounds, a non-profit all female chorus in the Greater New Haven area that has North Haven members, to send out a quartet to sing for a loved one.
In the state’s mid-year budget cut, North Haven was set to lose $7.4 million in funding; First Selectman Mike Freda said the town was looking at potential budget cuts to overcome the potential loss.
The Police Department responded to thefts from residents’ parked vehicles, and urged residents to keep their car doors locked at all times. The department also arrested two individuals who attempted to steal $13,000 worth of product from a woodworking company.
March
The 2016 Grand List of Taxable Properties showed a 1.2 percent increase from the previous year.
The town purchased land on Kings Highway to be used as open space, with one of the goals of the purchase being to protect residents from intrusive development.
North Haven Middle School Principal Philip Piazza discussed bringing in the National Junior Honor Society at a BOE meeting, but BOE members and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Cronin felt sufficient and more inclusive programs were already in place.
The town reviewed budget cuts to prevent a tax increase due to losses in state funding.
The BOS approved submitting a grant for funds to improve North Haven Housing Authority’s (NHHA) Parkside Manor, a community for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities.
April
The town and public schools brought their proposed budgets to a hearing on April 4, at which Board of Fire Commission Chairman Pat Nuzzolillo brought to residents’ attention that the town’s main fire truck needed to be repaired or replaced.
The town continued its open space initiative by purchasing the Valentino Farms property at 603 Middletown Avenue.
The PZC approved a training facility located behind the firehouse at 366 Washington Avenue, which Fire Chief Paul Januszewski hoped would keep volunteers from decreasing, noting a reduction in numbers over the years.
May
Citing savings due to changing to a self-insured health insurance model and rolling in surplus funds, the town proposed a no-tax increase budget ahead of the referendum on May 11; the budget passed.
Renovations proceeded at the North Haven Shopping Center with a goal to revitalize the plaza and make it a destination once again.
Funds were awarded to North Haven Opportunity for Affordable Housing, Inc., to develop eight units of affordable housing on Clintonville Road.
June
Yale New Haven Hospital expanded it services in town, opening a new North Haven Medical Center on Devine Street that offers specialized services in areas including neurology, pulmonology, cardiology, and others.
On June 21, 252 members of the North Haven High School Class of 2017 were awarded diplomas at graduation. The grads enjoyed a fun night at The Only Game in town, which hosted Project Graduation.
July
With Amazon officially confirmed as the new tenant at the former Pratt & Whitney site, Freda detailed other economic development projects potentially coming to town.
Approval was given to submit for a grant application for improvements in the area of the new train station, such as sidewalks and crosswalks.
The Fire Department promoted Lieutenant Scott Martus to deputy chief of operations, overseeing emergency response procedures and training for the department.
Despite concerns of potential uptick in criminal activity, Police Chief Thomas McLoughlin said calls for service over the past three years were flat. An issue was people entering residents’ cars at night and stealing items or the car itself.
August
The Town Plan of Conservation and Development neared completion, with PZC Chairman Vern Carlson calling it a guideline for the PZC to use for any potential developments in town over the next 10 years.
The Slate School, a “nature-based” elementary school located at 124 Mansfield Road, presented its proposal to the PZC on Aug. 7 to operate in a residential zone.
September
With no state budget in place at the time, Freda and Cronin talked about strategies if the town lost all of its education cost sharing funds.
The 75th North Haven Fair took place from the 7th to the 10th.
Those opposed to the Slate School gave a presentation at a PZC meeting on Sept. 11, citing the poor condition of Mansfield Road and the problems added traffic could cause.
The Greater New Haven Transit District announced plans to relocate to town.
A search for a new assistant principal at the middle school was approved by the BOE on Sept. 14.
October
Cronin discussed strategies and programs for the 2017-’18 District Improvement Plan for the public schools.
Freda and Democratic first selectman candidate Alan Sturtz talked about their plans and platform ahead of the November elections.
Plans for a potential independent living senior community with supportive services on Elm Street Extension were detailed before the PZC.
November
Januszewski and Freda spoke about the potential for the town to take back the primary service area from American Medical Response (AMR) in the wake of a resident’s concerns over AMR’s response time during a medical emergency.
With a state budget finally passed, town leaders said the town fared relatively in avoiding major cuts to funding.
Freda won the November election and was “humbled” by his big win, while his opponent Sturtz was gracious in defeat.
The PZC approved the Slate School application with conditions. The success of the town’s clean energy efforts was detailed, as well as plans for future clean energy projects.
An application for a trucking facility at 300 Elm Street by Old Dominion Freight Line was presented to the PZC, and while it was projected to be a top taxpayer in town, residents and commission members had concerns about the hours of operation and lowering of a portion of road as a condition of the project.
December
NHHA soughtan agreement with the PZC to avoid a court decision over a proposed affordable housing development for seniors on Pool Road, which the PZC shot down previously due to its concerns and resident opposition.
The PZC denied Old Dominion’s trucking application, citing potentially hazardous conditions due to the lowering of the road.
A special joint meeting between the BOS, BOE, and North Haven Middle School Building Committee took place to review project decisions and expenditures for the middle school project in response to a petition that sooght an explanation of expenses.