Our wishes for 2025
With the turning of a new year, we at the Voice traditionally set our sights on those issues we hope are to be faced and, with challenging work, completed over the next 12 months. The year 2024 was one of profound change in the attitudes and operation of West Haven. That project, begun by the administration of Mayor Dorinda Borer is not complete – if any such projects ever are – and we anticipate more changes for the better. Here are our top issues for 2025.
Development – In looking at our first edition of last year, we noted the lead story concerned the NEBCO project at the former West Haven Conference Center. A new appeal by Jimmies Inc. was processed through the courts only days before. Eventually, the project was pulled by the developers after negotiations with the restaurant fell through. Now we have word of a new project and hope this will come to fruition.
But the same is true in other parts of the city. We are encouraged by the multi-faceted work being done by the administration regarding downtown, with the former Masonic Lodge being transformed into office space. Originally, earmarked for an arts center a decade-and-a-half ago, the project never really got off the ground. Such a plan was made redundant with the announcement in the late spring that the former Anna V. Melloy School would be transformed into a multi-purpose community center.
Add to that the recent sale of the former Railroad Salvage site and plans for the abandoned North End Field, ideas for Allingtown with the library at the former Blake Building, and there is much to be encouraged about in the coming months. We hope that 2025 is the year these projects get underway.
City Business – One of the hurdles the city has faced over the last 30 years is the way it does business. Ossified procedures continued, while upgrades and reform were almost impossible. The Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB) tried for years to get the city to streamline and upgrade its way of doing things. Finally, that is a work in progress.
Unfortunately, it took a case of embezzlement and some recently similar activity to prod some into realizing it was no longer an option, but a necessity. The Borer administration has been at the forefront of trying to get things up to date. This move has the MARB’s approval and may help toward its exit from city life.
Revaluation – On this matter, we would wish the state to take a more realistic approach in its mandated appraisals every five years. While revaluation is based on market value, inflation and outside forces have over the last few years ballooned prices, and, unfortunately, the amount of taxes a homeowner is expected to pay. There is no doubt the market is inflated, and we fear, like bubbles we have seen in the past.
State officials should look at a cap in the amount of increase allowed in the five-year cycle. Cities will still get more taxes or equal taxes, but the increases will not put owners in the position of wondering if they are priced out of their homes. Volatile markets bring erratic results. Increases should not be so onerous as to price people out of their residences.
These are just three of our issues for 2025. There are more and will be addressed throughout the year.
Happy New Year!