With the decade coming to an end, The North Haven Citizen takes a look back at some of the biggest stories in our town in 2009.

Last year was a local election year and there was political maneuvering throughout town. Board and commission meetings crackled with public opinion and fervor. Partisan letters filled newspapers while candidate signs dotted front lawns. Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell visited North Haven to support First Selectman hopeful Michael Freda. Ultimately, Freda and the republicans retook control of town hall amidst a sweep in the November municipal elections.

North Haven saw many noteworthy stories beyond the election. The town got a new paramedics program and refurbished the senior center. Town hall juggled two legal matters.  The budget passed with a zero percent tax increase during a recession, but some residents worried it relied too heavily on the fund balance and one-time revenues. Another crop of North Haven High School graduates began the next chapter of their lives, while the previous year’s juniors rose to take their places.

The year presented a number of intriguing headlines for The North Haven Citizen and the following is just a sampling of the news stories that had us talking this year.

January

“North Haven detectives arrest 10 after lengthy investigations of burglaries”

A two-year investigation by North Haven police detectives led to the arrest of 10 people including eight North Haven residents ages 17 to 34.  The arrests came after a string of robberies of homes, local businesses and over 40 cars. The thefts targeted GPS units, lap tops, purses, cash, and other valuables.

“Budget in early stages, meetings open to public”

The Board of Selectmen met with Assistant Finance Director for a budget workshop as the town prepared to enter a tough budget season amidst a burgeoning recession. First Selectman Janet McCarty said that there would be another open budget hearing on April 7, and hoped that the public would attend.

“These workshops used to not be noticed,” McCarty said, “but they should have been.”

McCarty also warned of a trying budget season.

“We are in dire times, and we need creative thinking about how we’re going to be more effective and efficient,” she said. “Business as usual is not going to be business as usual.”

February

“Future looks bright for town, business”

In the ninth annual State of the Town address held Feb. 5, First Selectman Janet McCarty said that the town’s future was promising despite the tough economic climate.

In her 2008 address, McCarty made promises to “clean up the mess, eliminate waste, enhance revenue, and make government more effective and efficient.”  In 2009, McCarty declared her accomplishments. “Unlike last year, this year I have a record,” she said. “A record I am proud of.”

In supporting her 2008 record, McCarty pointed to her cutting her own salary by 10 percent, refusing to take an annual pay raise, putting more town contracts out to bid, better utilizing technologies, renegotiating a better trash contract with Covanta, steps taken to extend Valley Service Road, and other planned economic improvements.

“House fire leaves one dead, firefighters concerned with lack of manpower”

On Valentine’s Day, a fire at a 60 North Hill Road took the life of occupant Michael Sheehan, who was trapped in a second-floor bedroom. Three firefighters climbed to the second level of the burning home in an attempt to rescue Sheehan.

Lt. Jeffrey Obier, an 18-year veteran of the North Haven Fire Department, was nervous that it took more than six minutes for backup to arrive in support of the first firefighters on the scene.

“There should have been another group that would have gone in after them in case something happened and the firefighters needed to be rescued,” Obier said.

A volunteer contingent did show up on scene eventually, but Obier said the lack of manpower is an issue that continually poses a problem for the department.

March

“Police crack down on ATVs”

Motivated by a string of complaints from residents that illegal all terrain vehicle use was damaging Sinoway Park, Peter’s Rock Park, and Valley Service Road, the North Haven police department stepped up efforts to issue infractions to riders.

“ATVs do a lot of damage to the landscape,” said Police Capt. Mark Genovese. “We are stepping up patrols in all those areas.”

“SAFER grant helps to initiate paramedic program in town”

The North Haven Board of Fire Commissioners held a special meeting to announce that the town had received a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The grant would allow for the hiring of four paramedics to be cross trained as fire fighters, increasing both the live saving and fire fighting capabilities of the North Haven fire department.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the town to receive a sizeable grant since the commission has been trying to initiate a paramedic program,” said Pat Nuzzolillo, chairman of the fire commission.

April

“Residents oppose budget cuts, use of fund balance”

North Haven residents packed the high school auditorium and some voiced concern that the proposed 2009-10 fiscal year budget dipped too much into the fund balance.

“In good times, you raise the fund balance, and in bad times you use the fund balance,” said Board of Finance chairman Dean Volain in defense. “Any further cuts would affect services to some degree.”

“If the budget passes, we will have a strong fund balance and almost no tax increase,” Volain added. “That is not an easy thing to do today.”

A $450,000 cut from the proposed Board of Education budget was also protested. The cut would eliminate 6.5 teaching positions. “Our family finances are stretched, but we will pay more to keep these services in town,” said concerned resident Anne Murphy.

“Conservation Commission hosts first annual Earth Day celebration”

The North Haven Conservation Commission held its first annual Earth Day in the middle school cafeteria on April 25. The event included booths from the North Haven Trail Association, North Haven Clean Energy Task Force, the North Haven High School Green Club, Department of Environmental Protection, Boy Scout Troop 811, and a composting workshop.

“Environmental advocacy is something not to be made fun of,” said second selectman Steve Fontana during his speech at the event. “It is the survival of our future planet.”

“Yaccarino returns safely from Iraq”

North Haven native Daniel Yaccarino returned to America in March after a six-month tour of duty in Iraq in a U.S. Navy Construction Battalion. The veteran spent most of his time erecting buildings on the Al Asad airbase and marine camp in the Al Anbar province, a Sunni dominated Iraqi province. “It was definitely a positive experience,” Yaccarino said. “I was happy to have been there and to have experienced this.”

May

“Play ball! Max Sinoway Baseball opens season”

Approximately 600 Little League baseball players from 30 teams paraded around the Montowese ball fields to open North Haven’s summer little league season. Max Sinoway co-founder Sam Silengo threw the opening pitch to Max Sinoway, the great-grandson of the league’s other co-founder.

“Budget Passes”

At the May 19 referendum, 2,090 residents voted to pass the budget against 1,186 dissenters. The new code of ethics and paramedics programs also passed. The budget represented a zero percent tax increase despite the recession.

“I’m thrilled,” said First Selectman Janet McCarty. “I think it’s a mandate from the people that they are very happy with how the administration is doing things.”

“First Selectman accused of Civil Rights violation”

Former First Selectman’s office executive assistant Leigh Gomez, an African American, claimed that First Selectman Janet McCarty promised and then retracted several town positions to her in order to tempt her resignation, rather than directly fire a minority.

Gomez was told that she would lose her town position at the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1. McCarty said Gomez would not be retained due to poor job performance. Gomez said she would be let go due to her not being partisan.

June

“Congratulations Class of 2009”

Carrying carnations and clad in maroon caps and gowns, the 323 members of the North Haven High School senior class graduated on the Vanacore football field before an audience of approximately 1,000.

“The diplomas that were handed to us today are our tickets,” said salutatorian Stephanie Grilo in her speech, “They open doors for us, but it is our job to step through those doors. Our job is not over here. It begins here.”

“Town Hall receives CHRO complaint detailing alleged discrimination, retaliation”

Leigh Gomez’s attorney, Eugene Axelrod, filed an official civil rights abuse complaint through the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities regarding his client’s original allegations, and added assertions of further retaliation.

The CHRO complaint is received by Town Hall on June 12. “I deny 90 percent of what is in there,” said McCarty. “There are statements of fact, but the allegations are always wrong. I’m on record of saying that this is a frivolous case.”

July

“Irish culture, popular game show join forces in successful event”

The annual Irish festival drew large crowds to the North Haven Fairgrounds, aided by an open casting call for the NBC game show “Deal or No Deal.”

While not auditioning for the popular show, festival attendees washed down corned beef sandwiches and soda bread with a pint of Guinness or cup of tea, watched hurling and Gaelic football, and danced to live Irish bands. “Enjoy yourselves, because the more you drink, the better we sound,” said one band’s frontman.

“Senior center renovations are underway”

A $750,000 Small Cities Block grant allowed for the complete gutting and refurbishing of the Joyce C. Budrow Senior Center. The renovations included the addition of two new rooms.

“We’ve outgrown the building,” said Judy Amarone, the senior center’s director.

The renovations also helped improve the buildings safety, replacing rutted floors and rusted bathroom walls. During the renovations, the senior citizens used the American Legion Post 76 as a temporary center.

August

“Gomez refutes Selectman’s claims in CHRO complaint”

After town hall responded to the CHRO that Leigh Gomez had never been promised town positions and was not retained due to poor job performance, Eugene Axelrod provided exhibits to bolster his case. Included is this e-mail discourse between Gomez and McCarty.

On Feb. 21, 2009, Gomez e-mails McCarty, “It is unclear to me after our Friday, Feb. 20 conversation if I still have a position with the Town of North Haven. I understand there’s a hiring procedure that must be followed, and that I have to formally apply to the position with the Department of Community Services & Recreation. It was assured in our Friday, Jan. 16 conversation that I had a position working with community services. Will I definitely begin the position on March 2, 2009?”

In response McCarty writes “Yes, my dear you do. I apologize for being oblique but it was so busy yesterday (like everyday). The drill will be this: [Director of Community Services Gerardo Sorkin] will post the job (Dan’s former position) internally, which means that folks who work for the town get first dibs. When I get a copy of the posting to sign, you can fill out an application and submit your resume. I assume there will be other internal apps (Gerry? Angela? Lynn Cole). [Sorkin] will interview and we’ll see how long that takes.”

“Italian Festival this weekend on the Town Green”

The fifth annual North Haven Italian Festival of Angels, hosted by the North Haven Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge 2805, featured live demonstrations of Italian cooking and craftsmanship, Italian cultural presentations, an expanded Italian marketplace, a soccer tournament, parades, and plenty of fresh Italian food.

“Safer grant leads to new paramedics in town”  

After the paramedics program passed in May’s referendum, the town fire department hired four paramedics to be cross trained as firefighters.

“We have been waiting a long time for paramedics,” said First Selectman Janet McCarty. “It’s very exciting that come Sept. 8th, they will be going off to school, and assuming all goes well, North Haven will have paramedics service by the end of the year. They will make North Haven a better place to live in than it already is.”

“Demolition stops at Lexington Gardens after asbestos discovered”

The long awaited demolition of the 14-acre Lexington Gardens property at 500 Middletown Avenue was halted after the discovery of potentially toxic mineral asbestos and other hazardous materials on the premises.

The demolition was begun without notification of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, according to a DPH letter sent to the site’s owner. A subsequent DPH investigation found, three samples of “asbestos-containing materials,” as well as several electrical ballasts containing the pollutant polychlorinated biphenyl, several light bulbs containing mercury, and “a drum that appeared to contain sodium hydroxide, a hazardous chemical,” according to the letter.

September

“New year means new schools, new faces, more room for 2009-10 academic year”

The first day of North Haven public schools saw sixth and ninth graders walking new hallways, and a redistricting that allowed Montowese Elementary School enough room for its entire staff.

When asked what she was excited for in the new academic year, Green Acres fifth grader Alyssa Huff joked, “I’m looking forward to next summer.”

“Fairgoers have fun despite rainy weather at 2009 North Haven fair”

The 67th annual North Haven Fair attracted tens of thousands of attendees and offered rides and entertainment, including high-wire acts and live music.

October

“BOE debates use of school facilities for ‘political discussion’

As election season heated up, Board of Education chairman John Lambert called an emergency board on Sept. 26 to discuss republican First Selectman candidate Michael Freda’s proposed use of the NHHS auditorium on Sept. 28.

Freda’s campaign committee had reserved the auditorium for the first of three extra debates between Freda and democratic First Selectman candidate Janet McCarty. The extra debates were created by Freda’s committee, and McCarty said she would only attend regularly scheduled campaign debates.

However, Freda said he would instead hold public hearings during the proposed debates. McCarty’s campaign alleged that this would turn the NHHS auditorium into a political theater, which they claimed went against school policy. McCarty’s campaign was also nervous that the Sept. 28 meeting would be held during Yom Kippur.

During the emergency meeting, board school law attorney Thomas Mooney said that he saw no reason to disallow the Sept. 28 event, but added that the decision was entirely at the board’s discretion. “It’s not political in my perception,” Mooney said, “but you have every right as a matter of policy to decide when your facilities can be available for community use.”

After Mooney’s advice and a brief debate on Yom Kippur’s timing, the event was allowed.

“First Selectman candidates talk development at QCC debate”

Town CEO candidates McCarty and Freda sparred on economic topics at the Oct. 16 Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce debate.

McCarty said that her tenure as First Selectman “brought change to the government” in that “the town is stable, taxes are low, and the government is accessible to everyone.” She added that during her term, the town ended the last fiscal year with a surplus and finished this year without a tax increase. Additionally, McCarty said that her future economic plans included elongating Valley Service Road and “looking out for the interests of all of the town.”

Freda said that his lifetime background in business, including 16 years as a CEO and president of several companies, would allow him to “identify with the business community.” He added that his economic development goals would begin with growing top line revenue, and would include developing the Pratt and Whitney site and revitalizing businesses on Washington Avenue.

“Burns case will be heard in New Haven court”

New Haven County Court judge Robert Berdon ruled against the Town of North Haven’s attempt to quash Bob Burns’ application for a writ of mandamus. As a result, Burns’ case was to be heard in New Haven court. Another finding in his favor would force North Haven to hold a special town meeting to vote on whether to restore his eliminated town position

November

“A Republican Sweep”

The 2009 North Haven municipal elections were a Republican sweep, with Michael Freda taking the First Selectman position. Freda defeated incumbent Janet McCarty by more than 1,600 votes with 4,873 to McCarty’s 3,232. Republican second selectman candidate Tim Doheny defeated Steve Fontana 4,404 to 3,591. Fontana received more votes than McCarty and became town’s third selectman.

The rest of the elections followed suit, with the Republicans taking firm control of the town.

“I’m absolutely humbled to be handed the opportunity to serve the fine citizens of North Haven,” Freda said after the victory.

“Lambert to resign as BOE chair”

At the Nov. 12 board meeting, Board of Education chairman John Lambert announced his resignation after almost 25 years of service. He stated that he only had two years remaining in his present term and that “an election can bring clarity.” Lambert added that he believed the timing was right because the makeup of the new board would be such that they would “get along well.”

December

“Freda on budget: ‘We have a challenge on our hands’

At the Dec. 16 Board of Finance meeting, board member and First Selectman Michael Freda projected a shortfall of $1.44 million for the 2009-10 fiscal year and a shortfall of $4.7 to $5.5 million for the 2010-11 fiscal year. “We have a challenge on our hands,” Freda said. “We are committed to doing whatever it takes to balance the current budget and grapple with the $4.5 to $5.5 million shortfall for the next fiscal year.”

Freda also commented on the resignation of former Finance Director Michael Betz, and said that his choice for Betz’s replacement was Assistant Finance Director Ed Swinkowski.