East Haven 2015 Election Guide: The Candidates, Polling Places, Sample Ballot

The municipal election in East Haven is on Tuesday, Nov. 3 and it is a three-way race featuring Incumbent GOP Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. challenged by Democrat Michael Speer and Independent candidate Sal Maltese.

Maturo, who is seeking an eight-term, cites that he’s been able to turn around the town’s finances, lower taxes, and rebuild the town’s rainy day fund.

He also cited the remarkable turnaround by the Police Department and how it is perceived now after a prior discrimination scandal, the New Haven Register reports.

A major issue in the campaign is the future of the former High School building at 200 Tyler Street. Maturo announced plans to form a Blue Ribbon Commission to study a future use for the facility. The administration has proposed senior housing for the site.

Earlier in the year, the Town had begun exploring a mixed-use redevelopment plan for the property, which would call for the renovation of the pool and gymnasium and for the development of another portion of the building as age-restricted housing.

The Town put out a Request for Qualifications/Proposals seeking to determine if there was an interest in developing the property, however no further action has since been taken.

But Speer said it has taken too long to find a future use for the property and he opposes senior housing there. He also said Maturo copied his idea about forming a Blue Ribbon Commission, adding he first proposed the commission concept back in the summer.

Maltese, a Board of Finance member, who ran against Maturo unsuccessfully for the Republican mayoral nomination this fall, said he supports senior housing at 200 Tyler Street but stressed the pool and gym must remain, the Register reports.

Speer says the town needed better development on the west end of Main Street, and Maltese added the town needs to secure grants to fix the sidewalks and add more lighting there, the Register reports. Maturo said he’s applied for a $1.2 million grant for the area.

Related stories: East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. Discusses State of the Town

• East Haven Democrats Choose Mayoral Candidate Michael Speer
• Long-Time East Haven Resident Sal Maltese Challenges Maturo

New Haven Register Endorsement

Read the New Haven Register’s East Haven mayoral endorsement here.

East Haven Sample Ballot

To review what East Haven’s ballot looks like from the Secretary of State’s office please click here. It includes the names of all East Haven candidates running for office.

East Haven Polling Places

If you’re unsure where to vote you can click here to learn that information.

More Political Information

To read more about the Joseph Maturo campaign click here.

To read more about the Michael Speer campaign click here.