West Haven not to divert Sewage to New Haven

A 2/22/07 article from the New Haven Register makes it clear that West Haven will not be able to send waste to New Haven as an alternative. In fact, studies show that our best option is to keep our current technology and contracts with neighboring towns. Why not increase the fees to the towns to help cover the necessary renovations?

More on board of Ed "perks"

The cell phone photo is not the best, but my friend emailed me some images this morning... that's not a public road that snow plow is down... and that worker is in front of a Board of Ed house.

Star Distributors Eyes Expansion

Accord to a 2/11/07 West Haven Voice article entitled "Star Distributors, Inc. announces multi-million dollar expansion", Star Distributors has bought or has reached an agreement to buy three different properties on Frontage Road totaling 18 acres, and is planning a multi-million dollar expansion (pending P&Z and inland-wetlands approval). Part of the plan would be to bring the 25 employees from its North Haven wine distributorship to West Haven - this means 190 workers total based in West Haven.

This sounds enormously promising, not just for West Haven, but for family-owned Star Distributors as well. They will more than double their property, and will gain access to the railroad, too - well done!

Board of Education perks?

Got a wake up call today from a friend... who mentioned that certain Board of Ed members are getting their private driveways plowed by city workers in city vehicles. Sigh.

State Income Tax Increase to aid State School Aid; other tax changes as well are likely

According to the 2/12/07 article in the New Haven Register entitled "Income Tax Increase Certain", Jodi Rell wishes to increase the state income tax over the next two years, increasing in July 2007 and July 2008 by 1/4% each time. This would apparently raise taxes by $1.3 billion.

Some have expressed concern as to why Rell wishes to raise taxes when we have $1 billion in the state's "Rainy Day Fund" and a projected $500+ million budget surplus, particularly when the cost of electricity has so dramatically risen. Some have called for a 'stepped' increase that would more greatly burden the wealthy, and less dramatically affect the poor.

Additionally, Jodi Rell has indicated that she wishes to increase the tax on cigarettes from $1.51 to $2 per pack. (There's less opposition voiced here, apparently given the ill health effects of cigarette smoking).

In the area of reducing taxes, Rell wishes to eliminate the estate tax, which according to the article "would reduce state revenue by about $20 million in the first year".

How much more can West Haven Taxpayers bear? I've seen houses reduce their selling prices by *1/3* in order to try to sell, now... and more are going on the market...

Notre Dame confirms commitment to stay and expand

According to an article in today's New Haven Register entitled "Notre Dame to expand, upgrade building", Notre Dame High School is expelling rumors of relocation out of town, and has presented a roughly $8.5-10 million plan to expand and renovate by 2010. In doing so, they chose a West Haven firm, Sapienza & Lessig Architects & Planners, to devise the plan. As Notre Dame is a private school, the cost of these renovations aren't going to be born by taxpayers; 1/2 will be raised through private fundraising, and half will come through nonprofit bonding.

A big hurray! to Notre Dame for staying...