North Haven hopefuls face off in chamber debate

By Ann DeMatteo, Register Staff

NORTH HAVEN — Questions dealing with taxes and economic development dominated a Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce debate between Democratic First Selectwoman Janet M. McCarty and her Republican challenger, Michael Freda.

About 50 people, the majority of whom were supporters of the candidates, attended the event last week at the Holiday Inn. Ulbrich Stainless Steels sponsored the program.

Moderator Christine Mansfield of Discovery Training Services started out by asking the candidates how they would prepare for increasing income when expenses continue to rise.

Freda said that the tax burden will be minimized by growing top-line revenue. He said he’s concerned with the use of one-time revenues to balance the current budget, and believes that the next fiscal year will start with a $5.5 million gap.

McCarty said that grand list growth is important, and that she will continue to make things more efficient and effective and continue to reduce expenses and look for grants.

Responding later to a question from Board of Finance member and Freda campaign manager Richard Monico about how to replace the $5.5 million, McCarty reiterated the same platform. She added that because the town spent “lots of money” on capital equipment during her first term, capital expenses won’t be as high in the future, and the fund balance grew from $7.5 million to $7.7 million.

Fred Ulbrich of Ulbrich Stainless Steels commented that one of the problems in business is the high cost of electricity and other energy, and he asked the candidates whether they would consider possibly using the former Pratt & Whitney Aircraft site for a wind or solar energy farm or for the production of geothermal energy.

McCarty said that Ulbrich’s suggestion was “a great idea and ... there’s a lot of stimulus money out there for that.” She also said she would talk to Mickey Rabina, owner of the Pratt land, about the idea.

Freda said he is “very interested” in such discussions and had been looking for “elevated sites” in town for solar and wind energy options but hadn’t considered the Pratt land.

Attorney Jeffrey Donofrio asked the candidates how they would interact with small businesses and wanted to know if they would re-start the “show and sell,” an event that in the past showcased North Haven businesses.

“I’m interested in reinstituting a fair. It’s something I didn’t do in the last two years. I’ve had quite a bit to do to get the town up and running and moving forward. I’ve not had the opportunity, but it’s on the agenda,” she said.

“It’s one of the things I’d like to do,” said Freda. But, he also said he wanted to organize the town into “business council districts, and encourage a line of communication. ... I see an opportunity for small business expansion.”

McCarty rebutted that the Economic Development Commission already has the town divided into zones, and that individual commissioners have met with businesses. The format was used, for example, when the Montowese Shopping Center was sold and the businesses there had to relocate in the immediate area.

Freda said he was happy to hear of the commission’s work, but said he feels “the role of economic development and dealing with small businesses falls in the first selectman’s office. I would work in concert with the commission.”

The debate will be aired on North Haven Community Television.

Ann DeMatteo can be reached at adematteo@nhregister.com or 789-5716.