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MAYOR MATURO CALLS FOR ADDED TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

BRADLEY STREET CLOSURES DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION

EAST HAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GRANT FROM DHS

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MAYOR MATURO CALLS FOR ADDED TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. has called upon the Town’s Board of Finance and the Town Council to amend Ordinance #650 by increasing the property tax relief afforded to eligible seniors, and certain other eligible property owners as defined by the ordinance and state statutes. Mayor Maturo’s proposal is to increase the tax credit from the current level of $100 to a tax credit of $ 200, effective with the tax payment due on July 1, 2006.

In proposing the increased tax credit, Mayor Maturo noted the recent increase in heating and other costs, and expressed concern that these increased costs will have a most significant impact on the group of residents whose income levels fall within the eligibility requirements of the ordinance. “These are our neediest residents, mostly our elderly who are on fixed incomes” Maturo stated. “Fortunately, we have been able to maintain very stable finances over the last 8 years. When I first proposed the tax credit in my first term in office, I stated that we would revisit the amount of the credit, and consider increases when possible. Fortunately, we can now afford to increase the tax credit for our neediest residents, and I am pleased to make this recommendation to the Board of Finance and the Town Council.”

“I have consulted with the Town’s Finance Director (Paul Rizza), and am confident that the Town can afford to extend this additional tax credit without any adverse impact on the Town’s finances.” “Fortunately, the fiscal policies of the last 8 years are beginning to pay off. I am urging the Board of Finance and Town Council to enact this tax credit increase at the earliest possible date,” Maturo concluded.

PLEASE CONTACT MAYOR MATURO FOR FURTHER COMMENTS:

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr.,

Tel: (203) 468-3204 Fax: (203) 468-3372

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BRADLEY STREET CLOSURES DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. has announced that Bradley Street between Indian Springs Road and Mallard Lane will be closed beginning October 18, 2005 until November 15, 2005, for installation of drainage and roadway reconstruction. The hours of closure will be between 9am and 3pm, Monday through Friday.

Motorists are asked to use Laurel Street as an alternate route around the construction. Limited local access will be permitted for residents living in the immediate construction area.

The Town is finishing phase 2 of the total reconstruction and drainage of Bradley Street, which began last year and is part of over $ 600,000 of road reconstruction and paving that has been earmarked in the 2005-2006 budget.

For further comment:

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr.,

Tel: (203) 468-3204 Fax: (203) 468-3372

For technical questions, contact:

Mario Ricozzi, Town Engineer & Director of Public Services: (203) 468-3250

For further information:

Frank Gentilesco, Assistant Director of Administration & Management

Tel: (203) 468-3371 Fax: (203) 468-3372

Email: fgentilesco@snet.net

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EAST HAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GRANT FROM DHS

East Haven, CT -Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. and Fire Chief Douglas Jackson have announced that the East Haven Fire Department has received a grant of $ 124,766 from the 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. With FY05 funds, $600 million representing approximately 5,500 awards will provide direct assistance to thousands of fire departments throughout the country. East Haven will use these funds for new breathing apparatus for the firefighters.

“As a former career firefighter, I know first hand the importance of providing our emergency services with the best safety equipment that money can buy. I want to thank the Department of Homeland Security and in particular Fire Chief Jackson and his staff for all their efforts in obtaining this vital funding”, Mayor Maturo. “Such equipment will not only ensure the well being of the firefighters but will also enable them to assist and save our residents during their greatest time of need.”, Mayor concluded.

“We recognize the importance of the Fire Act Grants to our nation’s fire departments and we will continue to work closely with the fire service community to meet their needs,” said Matt A Mayer, Acting Executive Director of Office for Domestic Preparedness.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program assists local fire departments to purchase firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire education and prevention programs throughout the United States.

“The Assistance to Firefighters Grants ensures that the nation’s firefighters continue to have the basic capability they require to do their jobs, improve safety and save lives” said David Paulison Administrator of Department of Homeland Security’s United States Fire Administration. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the Department’s United States Fire Administration.

“We were able to obtain this grant due to the diligent efforts of my office staff and the cooperation and support of Mayor Maturo’s office, along with the Town Council and the Finance Department who assisted us with the 10% matching funds” stated East Haven Fire Chief Douglas Jackson. The grant enables the department to standardize breathing apparatus to one type while replacing equipment that is between 9 and 17 years old.

The new equipment will also be CBRN certified to afford the firefighters more protection dealing with the additional responses we must now prepare for in regards to terrorist activities and other transportation related hazards.

For more information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, please visit the Program Website at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/, or contact the Grants Program Office at 1-866-274-0960. For more information on USFA, please visit the Website at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/

Please contact for further comments:

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. Office: (203) 468-3204

Fire Chief Douglas Jackson: (203) 468-3221

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