New Haven Register Editorial Endorsement
10/26/2007
Craig B. Henrici's first two years as mayor of Hamden have been a notable
success.
He has soothed the once contentious atmosphere between the Legislative
Council and the mayor's office.
Relations with Quinnipiac University have improved with the university's
installation of a phone line for complaints and its plan to house all
undergraduates rather than have them live off-campus where they have been a
source of neighborhood complaints.
The town has purchased land on Putnam Avenue for a new fire headquarters and
plans are, again, being developed to replace the outdated and decaying Police
Department headquarters buildings.
Henrici has started an ambulance service that should earn revenue for the
town. More importantly, he has taken significant steps toward ensuring the
town's long-term solvency. Last year, the town's budget ended with a small
surplus. This year, the surplus has been tentatively set at $760,000.
The town has settled contracts with seven unions, some of whose workers had
been without a contract for three years. The contracts increase workers' health
premiums and co-payments.
Despite these steps, the town's budget reserve is less than 5 percent of the
budget's total and its pension fund has an unfunded liability of $197 million.
Rather than skip pension payments, as the town has done in the past, $12
million is budgeted for the fund this year.
New town workers will become part of the state municipal pension system,
which has lower costs.
Following West Haven's successful model, Henrici also wants to issue $55
million in bonds to lower the pension liability.
In his only major misstep, Henrici failed to post the job for fire chief.
He attempted to promote a deputy fire marshal to the post. Critics charged
his choice lacked needed experience.
Henrici withdrew the nomination and subsequently an experienced firefighter
from Wallingford was hired as chief.
The Democratic mayor's opponent is Ronald Gambardella, a Republican member of
the Legislative Council who is a financial planner and tax accountant.
Gambardella has built his campaign on stopping the town's continually higher
tax bills, holding the line on spending and increased government accountability.
He has suggested a freeze on spending despite increased costs. He would cut
the pension contribution and the school budget to pay for freezing or cutting
spending.
However, Henrici's partial hiring freeze, careful monitoring of expenses, a
99 percent tax collection rate and tighter financial controls by the schools are
already aimed at achieving these worthwhile goals.
He should be elected to a second term.
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