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01/05/2021 01:24 PMHeading into 2020, First Selectman Mike Freda was confident that, with a number of economic development projects in the works, the town would continue to be in a good financial position. COVID-19, however, put many of those projects on hold. The pandemic, along with microbursts and tornadoes, brought unexpected costs to the town.
Due to the challenges brought by 2020, Freda’s top priority heading into 2021 is to focus on balancing the 2020-’21 fiscal year budget. There were a number of one-time, non-reimbursable expenses due to the pandemic, as well as storm damage. With the amount of debris in residents’ yards, Freda pledged that there would be two pick-up dates, which cost nearly $600,000.
“That was a non-budgeted expense, but I had to—and wanted to—do that for the residents,” said Freda. “Right now, I am focusing in on this fiscal year’s budget and micromanaging every detail. I’m very confident in our ability to balance the budget. As I look back and as I look forward, it continues to be very important that we continue to deliver services to residents, supporting public safety, education, public works, and departments that deliver the services that residents see and appreciate.”
Freda acknowledges that it was a difficult year, but he found himself invigorated by the challenge and worked to problem-solve as new situations arose. He also saw the residents of North Haven step up in many ways.
During the holiday food drives, there was an “increased level of generosity” with donations to the food bank as well as gift cards for the Community Services Department’s holiday drive.
“I’m always appreciative of our residents and they showed great generosity that allowed us to administer hope and happiness to residents who are struggling financially,” said Freda. “I’m also very grateful to be working with a great group of town employees.”
Though town employees are still reporting to Town Hall and their various offices, town departments continue to remain open on a by-appointment basis in order to ensure a safe flow of pedestrian traffic.
The partnership with public safety continues as Freda is supporting additional police resources as there has been a rise in crimes, particularly car break-ins, across the state. He has also continued to work with Fire Chief Paul Januszewski and the Quinnipiack Valley Health Department in establishing a vaccination rollout plan.
In the coming year, Freda is hoping the community is able to come back together in person at concerts on the green, social events, and more. He admits that one of the most difficult things about the pandemic has been losing the social interaction with the community.
“I love our residents and sent everyone a hug through the virtual tree lighting,” said Freda. “I really miss seeing them every day as I have for the last 10 years. I’m looking forward to getting back out there with residents when it’s safe.”
In addition to focusing on the 2020-’21 fiscal year budget, Freda and his staff are already planning for the 2021-’22 budget. Freda has been monitoring state funding and expects North Haven to be flat-funded in the coming year despite the state projecting a deficit.
There is also a focus on reinvigorating the economic projects that were put on hold as well as bringing new projects to the table. New businesses that have recently opened or are in the process of opening include Ferraro’s, Jersey Mike’s, O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Guilford Savings Bank.
Work is also continuing on the construction of a hotel in the Cinemark Plaza with the hopes to reignite the project of relocating Panera Bread to that plaza in a freestanding building.
On Washington Avenue, older buildings are being torn down with a plan of replacing them with mixed-use buildings, including retail on the first floor and apartments on the second floor. Plans are in the works to bring two new businesses to the DeLauro Plaza, also on Washington Avenue.
Freda is also focusing on other empty spaces, such as the 80,000 square foot space on Universal Drive in the former Toys R Us/Babies R Us storefronts, as well as the old Howard Johnson’s at the North Haven Fairgrounds, noting there is a potentially interested business for that site.
He also noted other empty buildings—Party City, the produce store, Sips Coffee Shop, and others—which all have “inherent problems preventing us from delivering a positive outcome.” Freda has made plans to meet with property owners to make introductions to interested parties.
“We have a group that wants to land bank them and keep them empty and I won’t allow that. I am focused to try to change that mindset,” said Freda. “Even though we’ve had some successes with economic development, I’m not satisfied. We need to deliver incremental top-line revenue with businesses coming in.”
Despite the many challenges brought on in 2020, Freda continues to remain optimistic and excited to face new challenges in 2021. He hopes he can continue beyond 2021 and plans to run for office again in November.
“I still have a great deal of energy and passion for the citizens of North Haven and the town. There’s a lot more to accomplish here and whether in office, my business career, or even my sports career, I’ve never been satisfied and I’m always looking to get better and improve,” said Freda. “We can never get complacent. I will always look for new challenges and new opportunities and try to set the bar higher for myself as chief elected official.
“I’ve always been an optimist,” added Freda. “I don’t focus in on gloom and doom. I look at it as another challenge and create positive outcomes where I can. We’ll continue to operate that way here, facing every challenge with courage, confidence, and conviction to serve these fine residents of North Haven.”