Page 32 - North Haven Magazine Issue 22 Winter 2022

A Message From

These past few weeks have been quite a mix of conflicting emotions here at town hall.

We have been dealing with the sad passing of our longtime Finance Director, Mr. Ed Swinkoski,
who so faithfully served our town government for many years. When a trusted colleague passes
away, the personal side of us goes through a great deal of sorrow but the professional side of us
understands that we must attend to the business of the organization and try to move forward to
continue to get things accomplished. The convergence of these two conflicting emotions can be Michael J. Freda
quite the challenge to navigate through, but I know that Ed would want us to continue to move First Selectman
forward.

e are now in the process of managing through several very We are also working with the North Haven Fair Grounds and the
Wimportant town government issues. owner of the old Donato’s building to try to bring an exciting new
project to that site on Washington Avenue.
The second initiative of our Covid 19 test kit and N95 masks
distribution has begun and will continue through the end of the We did lose a business, the DSW shoe store on Universal Drive, but
month of February at the designated town buildings that I have we are working with that plaza owner and I fully expect to have a
previously announced. The safety and health of our residents is new retailer coming to that site this spring.
a top priority for me as your First Selectman and I hope that our
ability to simplify the process of test kit and mask distribution As part of a continuous improvement model for this administration,
made things a little better for each of you and your families. I also have a very important series of improvement initiatives that
will be brought forward here in town. These initiatives are designed
We are now also in the process of our budget season. We have to improve the optics of our town and to enhance the quality of key
prepared a preliminary budget that will work its way through locations within our town. These initiatives are as follows:
our Board of Finance meetings and will go through two public
meetings, one on April 5th and the other on May 9th. From there, A. Improving our town parks
the proposed budget will go to a referendum on Tuesday, May 17th. B. Improving our children’s playscapes in town parks

On the economic development side, I continue to spend a great C. Improving our town recreational areas
deal of time on trying to bring new businesses into town. Some of D. Improving ball fields and soccer fields
our new businesses coming to town are some that I have previously
reported but here is a summary of our efforts: E. Resurfacing our North Haven Track
F. Installing brand new park benches on our town green to
1. Panera Bread restaurant to be built on Universal Drive replace the old splintered ones
2. Five Guys restaurant coming to Washington Avenue G. Securing a new bandstand on the town green for our
3. New Starbucks with a drive through coming to concerts series and for additional outdoor events
Washington Avenue
4. A Western Wear Store on Northern Washington Avenue As we continue to move forward together, rest assured that for as
long as I am here in town hall serving you we will always look to
5. San Dow Construction Company moving into town from improve and to get better.
Maryland
6. Quench USA Water Filtration Products distribution Sincerely,
facility moving into North Haven Michael Freda
7. Home Depot Division of Home Contractors moved into
town to complement our retail store
8. Phoenix Fitness on Massimino Drive moved here from
another city
9. Pokemoto Hawaiian Restaurant has committed to come
to town either on Washington Avenue or Universal Drive 18 Church Street | 203-239-5321
10. Crumbl Cookies coming to the Dick's Sporting Goods www.northhaven-ct.gov
plaza