EAST HAVEN, CT – Mayor Joseph A. Carfora delivered the annual report on the state of the city and the budget to the City Council and residents, namely Zoom on Wednesday night.
Here are your comments in a YouTube video and more about your speech below.
On the demanding situations of the coronavirus pandemic
This year beyond has presented us with unprecedented challenges. In some respects, we have all been affected by this global COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to be offering my non-public condolences and those of our peoples to families who have lost enjoyment as a result of COVID-19.
But devastating as those losses are, it’s also time wasted in the family visiting circle and it has an effect on our classic gatherings. It has had and continues to have a disturbing effect on our lives. When we took power about 18 months ago, we inherited a city that had serious and urgent monetary and infrastructure problems. So we knew we had to roll up our sleeves to deal with those long-lasting effects in the conditions. We knew that we had to act responsibly to move forward. We not only had to chart a realistic course, but also be fair to what we found. My parents taught me not to panic just yet to get ready and work. I have appreciated the component of a John F. Kennedy quote that said, “In a crisis, be aware of the danger, but recognize the opportunity. ” These minds and this team technique were already in my psyche even before the pandemic hit us in early March 2020. But even in the face of what we have faced, and adding that this terrible pandemic, we have identified and found many Facing the gravity and multifaceted crisis facing our city, yet we all work together and move forward.
Of our first lifeguards who, at the beginning of this pandemic, were on the front line, risked so much in the early stages before we knew what the genuine effect of this virus was. and dispatchers put us first. Please accept my sincere thanks. While we already knew how respectable and qualified our branches were, we had the unfortunate opportunity to see them paintings under excessive stress, reinforcing our sense of value. Our branch of public paintings has taken advantage of each and every opportunity to paint on our behalf in the face of indescribable obstacles, adding up the pandemic and multiple storms. The same can be said of all the staff of the City Council – each and every one has worked hard to ensure the continuity of our government and its services.
Together, let’s go for a walk.
Our complicated year forced us to lead our government, we had no choice. Last March, the national state of emergency was declared. I also declared a state of emergency for our city on March 16, 2020. The president of the City Council, Joe Deko, and I announced very temporarily last year that we were committed to the entire budgetary procedure, even though the governor’s orders allowed for a synthesis procedure. Last year, our government held a lot of meetings through Zoom. As bulky as it was, we learned about the generation of our replaced city, which had to take a step forward to continue managing municipal management and our facilities well, so once again we rolled up our way and combined we continue to walk.
We have worked hard to keep the city corridor open in order to supply facilities. And one of the options that we started was the workplace of our secretary. Secretary Stacy Gravino was able to maintain the business aspect of the workplace by proceeding to settle for genuine asset records at closing. Stacy updated the employee workplace index operating formulas software company. This was the first time in 20 years that this much-needed update was carried out. It has been shown to facilitate the location of property records, both online and in the workplace of property records and maps, a critical component in the face of restrictive COVID protocols. And this year’s choice has certainly been more difficult than ever for her workplace. The city clerk’s workplace increased fivefold in vote-by-mail activity for this year’s singles election. The Clerk’s Office traditionally processes around six hundred postal ballots, but this year there have been over 5,000, and it has done so while proceeding to supply all the facilities that the Clerk’s Office must provide. daily supply. Stacy, like many of our other departments, used grants to improve the clerk’s workplace, such as an application for a $ 7,500 grant for old records at the state library. Stacy’s projects improved the city clerk’s workplace capacity without expending city funds. Thank you Secretary Stacy Gravino for a job well done.
Our public works branch, police and chimney branches are, for me, the most productive in the region. We continue to staff the branch as needed and appropriate. We have also embarked on a plan to ensure that the branch has the device to bring out its respective responsibilities.
Our police and firefighters protect us each and every day and while we sleep. Your task is not getting easier, but every day it is more complicated. The Carfora Administration will kindly fund those departments to ensure that Chief Lennon and Chief Marcarelli have what it takes not only to protect us, but also to protect their officers and crews. We need them to return home safely to their families. I would like to thank the chefs for their hard work and continuous team painting. Together we have hired the most productive people we can. Our budgets have allowed not only expansion within departments, but also the upgrade and addition of equipment. Both chefs have worked hard to make sure we get the most bang for our buck. We are employing a new lease for our own vehicle and device programs, and I am very pleased to report that we no longer support police cars. The two chefs are working hard to get grants. Chief Marcarelli implemented and received a $ 65,000 grant for SME and a $ 75,000 grant from FEMA for COVID-19 PPE reimbursement. Chief Lennon won $ 125,000 from the United States Department of Justice for school resource officials.
To date, departments can get approximately $60,000 in COVID-19 reimbursement for overtime police and fire locations. Together with Chief Finance Officer Jim Keeley, we maximized our refunds and fought for each and every opportunity, granting opportunities while getting better systems and unspending gadgets In addition, our police and fire station leader worked hard in combination with a joint public protection radio project. This two-year project, which I supported as a member of the City Council and ended up as mayor of this city, is officially completed. .
Never before has this network noticed this type of planning and collaboration. As mayor, I can proudly say that I am surrounded by a wonderful team.
There is no further demonstration of this through Keeley, Marcarelli, Lennon and the Superintendent of Public Works, Charlie Coyle.
Each continues to seek subsidy opportunities through the state and federal government to offset unforeseen additional prices incurred through COVID-19 in the city of East Haven.
Our superintendent and OUR BOO, our teachers and our students and parents faced unprecedented demanding situations this year. I think we can agree that COVID-19 presented the worst circumstances. Not everyone will agree with the selected paths. These paths are selected with the most productive of our children’s intentions and interests. I am also pleased that we have worked hard to create and the lines of communication between my workplace and the superintendent’s workplace. We are here to make a contribution to what is not unusual goal: to protect our glorious and talented young people.
Together, we have faced this crisis, and together we walk!
On public works projects
Charlie Coyle and our branch of public paintings have been tested for saying the least. Before COVID-19, we had a calendar of occasions and priorities. City paintings to be carried out internally, through our highly professional and enthusiastic paint force, earthpaintingss, fences, drains, paintings in the parks. They did all this and like never before. But then COVID-19 arrived and their priorities had to change, I threw everything but the kitchen sink after the pandemic began, and they never hesitated. They arrived at the city corridor to renovate offices equipped with permanent security shields. Professional homemade paintings! Groups of public paintings played COVID-19 and in accordance with strict protocols.
Deal with some of the completed projects that have been carried out through our branch and controlled through the branch.
It’s not all that’s done, but it’s an impressive list, thank you all for your determination and hard work.
On the operations of the city department
Our paintings at City Hall never stopped. New hires in land use, our tax workplace and acquisitions We couldn’t be more pleased with our new tax collector Anna DelRosso: continued with the harsh paintings of the COVID-19 tax workplace. It is difficult to exceed all tax collection expectations in a compassionate manner given the extensive cases of COVID-19. I need to thank Anna and her staff for a well-done assignment.
Our land use zone is active and we recently added our new manager, Joseph Budrow, as the Zoning Law Enforcement Officer, so we are confident of the continued evaluation of this zone. Array Our engineering branch is led through Jonathan Bodwell. I couldn’t be happier with Jonathon. He is in good standing through state and federal authorities. Utilities like to deal with him because he is well organized and professional in his trade. He pours out a positive kindness on this community. Jonathon is leading the finishing touch of the West End assignment; deals are on and we look forward to moving toward the finishing touch. He also takes the lead on the Shore Line Greenway Trail. I will have to say that I am not satisfied with the direction taken through the previous management with this assignment. A beautiful old pedestrian bridge would have showcased the herbal good looks of this city in this region, yet like so many things we’ve inherited, this consignment has set sail. Jonathon will ensure that this task is carried out professionally. As we proceed to evaluate tactics to improve the quality of life for our residents, we have sought and implemented state grants. I am pleased to announce tonight that an estimate was approved to inspect a Farm River walking trail. It will be in overdrive with this funding. Land use as outlined is active. We have the charm of the Bluffs that we inherited. This matter is ongoing and is subject to ongoing evaluation through our legal staff.
About DC Moore
We have conducted a full, complete and appropriate evaluation of the proposed transaction with DC Moore. Frankly, as it deserved to have been about two and a half years ago, but it wasn’t. My position when I was on the city council, along with my fellow Democrats, was that we did not help this land sale, and we voted against it, because it is not in the most productive interest of the city and, indeed, of this region. I have not doubted this position, although some like to do what I have. Too often, the social media reports of those who sell a show are simply not accurate; frankly, they are completely false. Many times, when they are sitting in that chair, there are decisions and movements that they want to be taken to legally protect this network that citizens are not aware of; false reports of those movements are doing our taxpayers a disservice. Our legal staff tried this factor with the proposed client by asking him to forgo this transaction. When we finish our correct and thorough evaluation and analysis, which I deserve to have done two and a half years ago, we will inform the proposed client of the result. Obviously, this can lead to litigation, the main points and defenses of which I am not free to speak at this time. However, my colleagues from the Second District and I have always believed that this land deserves to be an open space, and that has not changed.
On the ice
Our procedure for rehabilitating the track facilities is underway. We have earned more than five requests for proposals on repair specifications. Our main goal is to fix and light the ice sheet. But COVID-19 had a direct effect on this procedure. , because some of the main teams we were interested in doing this task simply cannot put other people in the box for step-by-step procedures at our facility. Also, once we looked closely at the facility, it was transparent that it is in ruins The state was not only the ice, but the whole building. In addition, during the initial procedure, the maximum teams requested majortenance records from the facility. Unfortunately, the documents they sought to review before responding to our requests did not exist. the first phase of breaking the ice, followed by the next phase of renovation of the building.
In the city pool
Our pool, another challenge that we inherited. The concept that my administration and I are sitting in this building is ridiculous. I see the importance of a pool for our senior netpaintings and, of course, for our swimming and diving teams. I know the joy of competing for these network paintings – some of my greatest joys and memories relate to my basketball career in East Haven and I know as well as anyone how vital having a home is. Please allow this, not only because of the disfix status, but also because it is not a regulatory group – it is not long enough, wide enough, not deep enough, and the ceiling is too low to dive in according to state compliance regulations . All the things we had evaluated, and anything the naysayers are not aware of. Again, incorrect information is useless. I have a fixed charge at my workplace from this $ 6 to 8 million pool and it still might not be a certifiable pool for the competition. We are actively looking for opportunities: grants, personal and public partnership opportunities; all the odds are on the table. But again, what took 15 years to destroy is not corrected in a year and a half. But as always, we paint hard and move on.
In the city system
When we came to power, it almost without delay became clear to us that our 30-year-old teleteletelephony formula desperately needed modernization. I asked Tina Hedley to lead this project. Initially, teleteleteletelephone formulas were the first wave of updates. We eliminated over a hundred unused teleteleteletelephone lines, saving us around $4,500 a month on our municipal teleteletelephone bill or, more dramatically, more than $50,000 a year. The city corridor’s new teletelet telephone formula is now connected to the EHPD and EHFD. It was the first phase of much. We will update all departments on our new formula. This will bring all departments together in combination and allow extension numbering to be expanded, making it less difficult to move phone calls. Employees have more access to phone calls and voice messages from home, and more flexibility to replace their COVID settings.
We’ve been collecting fiber data for city hall lately. Police and firefighters already have fiber optic connection. This will especially update the Internet connection of the Town Halls. Are you surprised that maximum municipalities already use fiber and we don’t?? This deserves not to be the case, because there are tactics to do so successfully and cost-effectively. We are working to update the distribution and design of the data generation of the City Council. Public works re-implement offices and buildings, this is fundamental. Where this city was is unsettling to find. We now have the Internet in liquidation so that we can settle for electronic utility invoices on the site. Updated city-wide alarm systems, added cameras, increased security, and built new key systems in city buildings. Thanks for your leadership in this, Tina.
In programs
Michelle Benivegna of my work worked hard to coordinate our network systems, from COVID concerts to movie nights. His efforts in this field have been remarkable. But one of the things we’re most proud of is our appointments with the YMCA: offering a program before and after school. In addition, we will marry the YMCA to organize summer camps. Members of District 1 City Council Ashley Lesco, Kim Glassman and Beth Capotorto shared considerations about the position of summer camp with our families. We got it right, and Michelle and I met with the YMCA, and we’re going to subsidize the rates for families. Pay less than in previous years with the Department of Recreation camp. The loading times and main points of the programme will be published shortly.
In Beautification Town Green, Farmers Market and Roundabout
We perform the beautification of the main street with baskets of flowers on the poles and the painting of the gazebo. We safely organize the city’s farmers market in Town Green for the first time. We have safely organized a series of summer concerts while many other cities have selected not to host outdoor events for their COVID citizens and following COVID-19 guidelines. We are very proud to adopt the beatification of our historic green city, the “The Walk East Haven” assignment that began thirteen months ago and was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic is now underway again. This task has been very costly for me knowing that the population will benefit from the beautification of this monument of the city for generations to come. Please note that this allowance will be supplemented through grants, donations and volunteer facilities, and free return for taxpayers.
At the animal shelter
Over the next year, we have all had to adjust to the way we carry out our daily responsibilities, and the Animal Shelter was no exception. We temporarily learned to answer our calls and respond safely to the wishes of our residents. I am proud to report that our shelter was open and staffed each and every day, each and every one and every 365 days, during this pandemic and was able to respond to each and every and each of the calls. Shelter volunteers worked remotely to answer any questions on our social network and also continued to help raise the shelter’s budget. Our volunteers are a key component of the good fortune of our shelter. Our shelter responded to a complaint last fall that resulted in the removal of 29 felines in need of veterinary attention. My staff and I dressed in PPE to make a stop at the shelter after this rescue and I allocated a budget for emergency vet prices for those young kittens. Owen Little, our animal control officer, reported a one hundred percent adoption rate and the facility has moved its shed to an animal food bank. This allows the use of puppy products such as food, litter, blankets, and cleaning supplies. The shelter also helped transport animals to and from local veterinary workplaces, and also delivered medicine. We are proud to have been able to jointly help and serve our network and look forward to doing so in the future. I would like to thank Owen, Sean and Emily, the number of phone calls my workplace receives is overwhelming with gratitude for your service that does not go unnoticed.
In development
We needed leadership in economic progression and Ray is delivering it. During his time here, Ray took over and carries with him a respect in state agencies, veterans groups, and the legislative arms of state government. He met with the president of the East Haven Chamber of Commerce, staff representatives from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, and representatives from Advance CT. the State Office of Economic Development, the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the Tweed Airport Authority. He continues to meet with many genuine business owners, developers and real estate agents to discuss retention, expansion and marketing opportunities in East Haven. And he researched and compiled a list of commercial, commercial and residential homes in East Haven that are suitable and can be had for progression. We have distributed a list of those homes to key stakeholders, state and local economic progress officials, and genuine real estate agents. And all this while a review of the municipality’s tax incentive program is being carried out, which will be presented to the City Council for approval. Ray and I are leading and creating a project for the sensible but mandatory progression of this city; a professional technique for what this city needs. Now we are going to be a reputable spouse in this region, and Ray makes sure everyone knows that. In fact, we are preparing a press release that Schulz Group, a department of The Timken Company, will move its operations from New Haven to 110 Commerce Street in East Haven, a 41,000-square-foot facility owned by Tom Hennessey, a member of the Board. of Education. . The Shultz Group reviews, repairs, rewinds, and manufactures commercial generator electric motors for defense, municipal and power generation programs; they will employ approximately 50 affiliates on the East Haven site. Additionally, they plan to carry out building renovations and innovations where they plan to be fully operational through May 2021. Ray has made it less difficult by using the Abatement Program. East Haven Tax, which is helping businesses that are willing and able to make investments; it also entitles them to unemployment insurance benefits. Thanks to Tom Hennessey, his company, and representatives from Shutlz. And Ray. We welcome this expansion into East Haven as we become a network of choice. It is a true good fortune and there is more to come.
At Tweed-New Haven Airport
We talked about it a lot. My position is clear. In fact, we need to be a neighbor of reason. But no more expansion or expansion will be placed alone on the backs of the citizens of East Haven. I take that position to every meeting we finish. If this expansion happens, we need protections, end point. Including a collective transfer agreement – for well-paid trade union work for our citizens for all constructions. Priority to Qualified East Haven companies to locate work, and an airport business domain that extends to the industrial corridor of Highway 80. prevent this expansion, as the courts have said, but we can make sure we are protected.
On COVID-19 tests, vaccines and mitigation efforts
Unfortunately, Covid has been on our cloth for a year, and one way or another, it will continue to be a presence that we have to deal with. From the beginning, we had to renovate city buildings to protect city employees. Michelle Benivegna has also taken the lead in this area. Me, Michelle, our leaders, and I have participated in a ton of virtual meetings on this topic, at the local, state, regional and federal levels. As we transitioned to the launch of vaccination, we were tasked with creating a plan for an organized and safe vaccination procedure. Michelle asked for guidance in this area. Her team consisted of Tina Hedley, Regina Araujo and Bob Petrucelli. What a glorious job they have done within the needs and, in some cases, the restrictions of the East Shore Health District, the State of Connecticut, and the Federal Government. From February 12 to March 26, we vaccinated over 1000 people in East Haven in a safe and organized manner employing the majority of volunteer workers. The clinics were at EH Senior Center, Branford, Hospice, Shoreline Health Care, and Fair Haven Community Health Center in New Haven. Michelle and her team will now focus on implementing the evolving COVID-19 rules by making plans for the reopening of our senior middle school and the summer activities that are planned for our residents. It will certainly be a difficult task, but I have complete confidence in Michelle and her team to make this happen.
East Haven’s
Our seniors were the population most vulnerable to this global pandemic and they were the organization invited to stay away to stay healthy. Thanks to the efforts of my workplace and ESDH, I can proudly say that 75% of our ELDERLY HAVE won COVID-19 As a result of those combined efforts, I am proud to say that we plan to reopen our senior center in mid-May and welcome our seniors again. During this “closing period”, Petrucelli and Michelle Benivegna, senior director of the center, strategically planned the reopening while improving the provision of the facilities. Our Senior Center will provide more programming with our YMCA partners, opening hours will be increased from downtown, transportation to downtown will resume, as well as more transportation to medical appointments and the Branford YMCA to use their facilities. Bob and his team are delighted to have them back and that the bingo numbers are starting to be called up again.
In ‘Summer in East Haven’
Our elders are not the only members of our network eager to regain “normalcy. ” Our citizens have been wonderful following the COVID-19 rules and getting vaccinated when their age organization has become eligible, allowing us to plan an activity-filled summer for our citizens to have fun and socialize. safely with our neighbors. This ‘Summer in East Haven’ you will be able to enjoy many of the favorite occasions that we had to overlook last year due to the pandemic, such as our annual fireworks display and fall festival. The annual summer concert series on the green is planning as I speak to you, as well as new occasions, a beach concert series, movie nights on the beach and our annual “East Parade” Haven PROUD “moment which, like the Last year, it will consist of a car parade, but this year it will end in our green city where locals can enjoy food trucks and a concert. Our farmers market will also welcome more finalists and feature inviting activities. families to come to the market place to start their day with entertainment for all ages. I am very proud to appear before you to communicate what we can do for this network. But even more proud to be in front of you to communicate about our team and what we have done for our network.
In the budget
In last year’s budget we reduced municipal spending by $6 million. We discovered and got rid of false income. During this process, we discovered spaces of fear and brought them to the proper government’s attention, and I continue to cooperate as needed to ensure that this town and its taxpayers are fully protected. And perhaps most importantly, we continue to monitor our functionality compared to last year’s budget weekly and, in some cases, twice a week; Jim Keeley is probably tired of calling him in the workplace to communicate and analyze our functionality. Like last year’s budget, this year’s budget is a guilty presentation. It properly budgets our municipal government and provides the school board with the mandatory budget to administer its program. And it improves facilities in our community. AND IT DOESN’T INCREASE YOUR TAXES. This budget proposal has been considered through the Finance Council, and I am proud to report that this year, as last year, it won a unanimous vote of approval from both parties.
Carfora’s closing words
We’ve never faced what we did last year before. And I pray we can put this in us as soon as possible. However, I can say this: in combination, we have faced all the obstacles at the forefront. I’m proud to be your mayor, and tonight I’m proud to present a guilty and well-approved budget proposal to City Hall.
Together we’ll all walk.