The North Haven
Cit iz izen en
Volume 4, Number 15
Your Town, Your News
Happy Easter!
Ci
Mia Daleski, 3, had her picture taken with the Easter Bunny on April 4 at the Recreation Center. The town’s Easter Eggstravaganza was well attended. Below, Claire Fresher, Kelly Fresher and Jackie Howlett show off the face paintings that were done during the Easter event.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Residents oppose budget cuts, use of fund balance By Kyle Swartz The North Haven Citizen North Haven citizens packed the high school auditorium for Tuesday’s public hearing to rally for Bob Burns and the protection of the fund balance and educational budget. Board of Finance chairman Dean Volain had hoped the meeting would clarify the public’s preference for tackling the town budget deficit: raise taxes or dip into the fund balance. “Any further cuts would affect services to some degree,” Volain said, warning that the board would be forced to choose between the two less-than-desirable choices. The proposed budg-
et currently draws from the fund balance. Residents fight for Bob Burns Burns, former town field inspector and recipient of the town’s sole pink slip amid recession cut backs, spoke first to a raucous applause. Burns said he was “still perplexed” by the town administration’s decision to let him go, suggesting that it may have been linked to his opposition of mid-contract raises given to a number of town officials. Burns also worried that cutting his position was unwise, as the town recently appropriated over $4 million for public work projects, in-
See Budget, page 17
Local businesses say ‘no way’ to the possible repeal of CT blue laws By Kyle Swartz The North Haven Citizen
Citizen photo, above, by Pamela Morello Photo, at right, by Tara Fresher
See more photos on page 37.
Inside Business ...............................................16 Calendar ...............................................13 Earth Day..............................................25 Faith...................................................9-10 Letters ...................................................15 Marketplace .........................................38 Obituaries.........................................10-11 Opinion .................................................14 Seniors..................................................20 Sports ...................................................27
Reader poll What would your recommendation be to the Board of Finance in dealing with the 2009-10 budget?
Voice your opinion at
www.northhavencitizen.com
North Haven package and spirit shops could be opening their doors to customers on Sundays within the next few years. A group of state politicians have been moving to amend the state’s “blue laws,” or official theological regulations, after all of Connecticut’s bordering states have approved the sale of alcohol on Sundays. In 1638, Connecticut Puritans created the state’s strict blue laws to govern religious standards. Over time, the laws have been pared to their present state, which ban the sale of alcohol by stores, as well as hunting, on Sundays. Restaurants, bars, and hotels can sell alcohol and liquor on Sundays, as long as the beverages are consumed on site. Currently, 15 states exclusively ban the sale of liquor
on Sundays. Only Georgia, Indiana, and Connecticut continue to prohibit the retail sale of all alcohol on Sundays. Massachusetts and New York began Sunday sales in 2003. Rhode Island began in 2004. Many smaller package and liquor store owners are against Sunday sales, citing time, cost, and doubts of increased business as detractions to the amendment. “I think it is absolutely ridiculous,” said Daniela Tristine, co-owner of Vines Distinctive Wines and Liquors, 323 Washington Ave. “I do not ask anyone in the government to work seven days a week. I want to spend time with my family.” “I’m totally against it,” said Kiana Saldanha, employee of Wine Merchants, 73 State St., North Haven, and
See Blue laws, page 23