No. Haven candidates differ on town's savings, efficiency

"Keep the Change" is one of Democratic First Selectwoman Janet M. McCarty's campaign slogans. It's a double-entendre for the money she said she's saved taxpayers, as well as what she said she's done to make government more efficient after taking over two years ago from Republicans who controlled the town for 36 years.

But her Republican challenger, Michael J. Freda, said the changes have been less than efficient and poorly communicated, giving as an example a switch in health insurance for town employees that led to union grievances and unhappy employees. McCarty, seeking her second term, said she's saved more than $550,000 over two years because of the change and the subsequent switch back to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Taxes did not go up this year, but the usage fee for those property owners who have sewers went up to pay for repairs to the water pollution control plant.

Freda worries that taxpayers will have to pay more in the future when one-time revenues used to balance the 2009-10 budget are no longer available, and accused McCarty of not hav- ing a plan to make up the $5.5 million next year.

Of the $5.5 million, $1.87 million was used from the fund balance, and $2 million was used from the $4 million rebate the town received as a result of the negotiations McCarty and area town officials participated in to prepare for the change in operators of the Wallingford trash-toenergy plant.

This is the last of 15 consecutive years the town received $1 million from an Upjohn Co. stipulated judgement. Another $650,000 was transferred to the budget from dormant special revenue accounts that had excess funds.

McCarty disputes that the revenue gap for fiscal 2010 is as big because next year's budget won't contain as many capital items; $857,354 is scheduled to be spent this year on equipment such as public works vehicles. And, the town expects at least another $1.4 million because of the trash-to-energy negotiations.

"We are making the town run as efficiently as we can, we're saving money wherever we can, we're getting money wherever we can. We're applying for grants," she said. "We will be consolidating services where we can without decreasing quality."

To combat the lack of revenue, Freda said he would "immediately jump-start economic development in an effort to create new business, incremental tax revenue and jobs. I will be working full-time to put opportunities together for the Pratt & Whitney property, meet with commercial real estate agents on vacant businesses and try to improve those facilities."

Freda said revenue has to increase to prevent future tax increases for residents, and he plans to meet with business owners. He has met with Pratt property owner Mickey Rabina and other companies to try to strike a development deal.

"I see the opportunity for small, productive economic development on northern Washington Avenue, at Pratt and Whitney and in Montowese ... designed to minimize the tax burden for residents," Freda said. "North Haven has to be proactive in looking for opportunities, not just sitting back, waiting to entertain opportunities."

McCarty said Freda held those meetings outside the scope of the town and isn't working with the Economic Development Commission, which is working on bringing new businesses to town. She said she sees the job of first selectman as a "facilitatorin-chief," and not a "salesmanin-chief."

As first selectman, Freda said he would be able to focus on economic development as well as handle other municipal responsibilities, and will have a 24-hour call-back policy. "Eighteen months ago, I was overseeing three companies and the ability to manage that kind of complexity, I believe, will serve me well in managing the complexity on a local level."

Before retiring, Freda was president and CEO of ESM/BTM, a company with $1 billion in annual revenues, and president and CEO of CBS Marketing, a company with $100 million in annual revenues. He was past regional president of Advantage Sales & Marketing, a $40 billion company.

McCarty said she's saved taxpayers thousands of dollars through competitive bidding; more than $1 million in state and federal grants that have paid for projects such as the senior center renovation, and reduced energy usage of street lights and town buildings. A paramedic program will begin in December.

Also, she said she and school officials are working on combining services.

For example, there is one plumber between the town and schools, and plumbing companies are called in only for emergencies.

Prior to bids being sought in 2007, two companies, Reliable Plumbing and Climate Control, handled plumbing, heating and cooling needs and were paid $212,553 from July 2005 to June 2007. Temp Tech is now handling heating and cooling matters. The company has been paid $116,365 from November 2007 to now.

McCarty, 60, lives on Cella Terrace with her husband, William Leiserson. She was a scientist before staying home to raise two sons. She previously served on the Board of Finance and was the minority selectman. Her running mate is incumbent Democratic Selectman Steve Fontana, also a state representative.

Freda, 55, lives on Highland Park Road with his wife, Shirley. They have three grown children. He was appointed to the Board of Finance in 2006 and was appointed to the Board of Selectman after former First Selectman Kevin J. Kopetz lost the first selectman's race to McCarty in 2007 and declined the minority selectman's seat. Freda's running mate is Board of Finance member Timothy Doheny.