Proposed Budget Cuts Millions, Raises Taxes Slightly

EAST HAVEN, CT — Mayor Joseph A. Carfora said that his proposed 2020-2021 budget represents millions in “responsible” cuts, and if passed, taxes would rise from the current 32.42 mills to 34.28 mills, the average property owner can expect to pay about $25 more a month in taxes.

In his State of the Town address and budget presentation, Carfora pointed out that his administration was left holding the bag on myriad court cases, improper handling of town finances, and was left with facilities in major disrepair.

He is referring to the administration of former Republican Mayor Joe Maturo Jr.

“I inherited court cases ...walked into millions of dollars worth of lawsuits,” he said adding he is “committed to protecting the town.”

“It was very disappointing what the previous administration left us.”

In an interview with Patch at the end of February, Carfora said then that coming in and “finding what we found was shocking and frustrating.”

And he laid it all out in his address. With pictures. Dangerously unmaintained facilities, a pool that was a public health hazard, a leaking roof, a 1980s pay phone outside of Town Hall long gone with a line that, inexplicably, the town was still paying for. He said that town employees were conducting town business with private email. In fact, he said that the town was one of the few in the area without an IT department; he added one with a $100,000 a year budget.

“We’re bringing the town into the 21st century,” he said.

Watch his full remarks and budget presentation here:

Read his full budget here:

Mayor Carfora's Propose... by Ellyn Santiago on Scribd