By Josh LaBella
Voice Reporter
Mayor Nancy Rossi says – after decades of mismanagement – the city is on the path for future success.
Rossi, the Democratic incumbent running against Republican Michele Gregorio in next Tuesday’s election, said much has been accomplished during her first term. She said momentum has been made in terms of budgeting, finance, economic development, education and quality of life.
“In less than two years we have delivered two balanced budgets, have a positive fund balance (rainy day fund) for the first time in over a decade, our bond rating outlook has been upgraded from ‘negative’ to ‘stable’ which is the first step to an overall upgrade and will save our taxpayers immediately,” Rossi said in an email. “My administration has cut overtime by 61% on the city side, not including the police department.”
The mayor said small businesses “continue to open and expand throughout the city.” In addition, Rossi also said economic development projects are “finally” moving forward under her management.
“The Yale-New Haven Resource Center is opening soon, the Park View project in the heart of Allingtown is under construction and the government approvals for “The Haven” are complete and demolition permits have been sought by the developer,” Rossi said.
Mayor Rossi also emphasized the sale of the Blake, Stiles, and Thompson schools as evidence of her successes. She pointed out that the city is no longer in charge of their upkeep and that they will be 100% taxable.
Apropos maintenance and public works, Rossi said the city has implemented an “aggressive” sidewalk repaving program in every district. She said her administration has developed a long-term plan for pavement and upkeep of roads as well as for improving the waterfront, parks and athletic fields.
On the education front, the mayor highlighted the completion of “Phase 1” of the high school project – noting that it was completed ahead of time and under budget. She also said the city received a state grant which funded the purchasing of computers for every student K-8. She called the access to technology critical to the future workforce.
“I am proud to have put together a team of hardworking and loyal individuals that care about the City of West Haven,” said Rossi. “We take our jobs seriously and our accomplishments and record over that past two years show that we are on the right path and need to keep moving West Haven forward.”