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11/04/2021 12:00 AMOf North Haven’s 18,079 registered voters, 6,058 turned out to the polls for the 2021 municipal elections for 33.5 percent voter turnout, just above the statewide average turnout of 30.17 percent. The North Haven Republican Party dominated at the polls, taking every contested race on the ballot, including First Selectman Mike Freda winning re-election with 85.44 percent of the votes.
“As [Republican Town Committee] chairman, I am very proud of our entire team of candidates led by First Selectman Freda,” said Jim DiCarlo. “I think the voters of North Haven who have shown overwhelming confidence in our Republican team.”
The Republicans claimed the open seats on all of the boards and commissions with the exception of the two-year vacancy on the Board of Assessment Appeals, which was claimed by Nupur Garg (D), who was unopposed. Republican Donald Clark ran unopposed for town treasurer.
The following candidates earned seats: Dyann Vissicchio and James Lainos on the Board of Finance; Randi Petersen and Ronald Bathrick on the Board of Education; Ralph Ricciardelli on the Board of Assessment Appeals (full-term); Vern Carlson on the Planning & Zoning Commission; Paul Weymann and Mark Parisi as alternates for Planning & Zoning Commission; Carolyn Yaccarino and Andrew Gorry on the Zoning Board of Appeals; Luigi Coppola and Robert Neilsen as alternates for the Zoning Board of Appeals; Lawrence Lazaroff and Robert Hannon on the Police Commission; and Vincenzo Gallo and Pasquale Nuzzolillo on the Fire Commission.
First Selectman Mike Freda was reelected to his seventh term, receiving 5,106 votes to Democrat Carl M. Kordek’s 870. The Board of Selectmen remained unchanged with William Pieper (R) returning as second selectman with 4,014 votes and Sally Buemi (D) reseated at third selectman with 1,812 votes. Incumbent J. Stacey Yarbrough was reelected as town clerk with 4,372 votes to Kathy A. Spinato-Grant’s 1,477.
“I am very grateful and humbled by the overwhelming support that I’ve received along with my colleagues,” said Freda. “When someone in my position receives this type of support, it tells me that these citizens not only like what we’re doing but trust what we’re doing, and that invigorates me.”
After Freda ran unopposed in 2019, he was challenged by Kordek in the 2021 election, who noted it was a “great election season.” Going into the election in a heavily Republican-based town, Kordek knew he faced a challenging road.
“North Haven is heavily leaning in one direction and any time you go against that, it’s difficult, but somewhat predictable,” said Kordek. “Hopefully two years from now, voters will see the possibilities within their grasp during the next election and vote on the future we deserve in North Haven, not the one we currently have. Our community has the capability of being so much more beyond what we have now. I respect the voters and recognize the hold that the Republican party has on residents who have only experienced one leader for a very long time.”
Kordek notes he is pleased to see the administration addressing issues he brought up during his campaign, including parks and recreation revitalization initiatives, the introduction of new unique businesses to make North Haven a destination, the expansion of funding and advancement within the fire and police departments, and the rollout of more high-quality education for our students.
“I am hopeful that in time, a full review can be done with the land banking issues on the north side of Washington Avenue, which have halted or delayed economic developments over the past decade,” said Kordek. “If they are true community advocates and businesses that support North Haven, they should want the best for North Haven’s future. I wish this town government all the best in the next two years going forward.”
When looking toward the future, Freda has several immediate goals in mind as he “continuously strives to be better.” Having recently added more police officers, Freda will remain “very cognizant” of public safety, supporting emergency services in town.
“We will never get to a point where we reduce our service model to our residents,” said Freda. “Our goal is to always increase and enhance the service level and still maintain a reasonable mill rate.”
Freda plans to continue to enhance town parks, fields, and recreational facilities—noting the popularity of the recently installed pickle ball courts—in order to make them “a destination” for residents and their families.
Freda is also looking to work on the aesthetics at the Town Green, including replacing the splintered park benches with new ones. He is also looking into options for a more permanent but “aesthetically pleasing” structure to replace the showmobile for concerts and other events on the green as well as expanding the summer concert series by two more weeks.
Freda is looking forward to the next two years in office, building on the 12 years he has already served as first selectman. Throughout his time in office, Freda said he has gotten to know many residents and families.
“Being competitive from my athletic career, I compete against myself every time I look in the mirror and combine that with 12 years in this office and I’ve developed love and tremendous passion for the people here, which allows me to continue to perform at a very high energy level,” said Freda. “I want to thank the residents for putting their trust in me and I will never let my citizens down because of that trust and support they’ve given me. It motivates me to continue to reach for even higher levels.”