New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Hamden mayor seeking 2nd term
HAMDEN – With another round of municipal elections on the horizon this November, Mayor Lauren Garrett will seek a second term in office.
She kicked off her reelection bid Thursday night during an event attended by supporters and held at Cascade Fine Catering. The following day, she filed paperwork in the town clerk’s office to establish a campaign committee, according to Town Clerk Karimah Mickens.
“I really enjoy coming into work every day and helping to be a part of making Hamden a better place for people to live and to work,” Garrett told the
New Haven
Garrett was sworn into office in late 2021 after winning the general election against Republican candidate Ron Gambardella. She replaced former Mayor Curt Balzano Leng, whom she defeated in a September 2021 Democratic primary; she ran her campaign on a platform promising financial reform, transparency and long-term fiscal planning.
“I’ve gotten a lot accomplished this past year. It’s been incredibly busy and very fulfilling,” Garrett said when asked why she wants to run again.
She then listed accomplishments she said took place under her watch, including
Register Friday. financial aid Hamden obtained from the state for various projects.
Last year, the State Bond Commission approved $8.6 million to replace a firehouse in southern Hamden and another $1.3 million for improvements at the Keefe Community Center.
The town also obtained $750,000 million from the state to help address drainage problems that cause flooding in the Newhall neighborhood, Garrett said.
Recently, Garrett’s administration sent updated financial policies to the Legislative Council for approval.
“We’ve secured $425,000 from the federal government for energy efficiency upgrades, and then we’ve done a lot of work in maintaining our town – paved roads, fixed sidewalks,” Garrett said. “We’ve gotten so much accomplished ... and there’s just so much more work to do.”
But Garrett’s first 15 months in office have not been without their difficulties.
Last spring, news that the Police Department had destroyed records responsive to a Freedom of Information request caused controversy.
The department sought and obtained permission from the state library to proceed with the destruction. But on the form requesting
that permission, Garrett and then-police Chief John Sullivan signed a statement affirming the records were not subject to any pending action.
Garrett has said that at the time she signed the document, she was unaware
of the ongoing FOI request; she also said much of the information in the destroyed records was backed up electronically.
After the issue came to light, Garrett put a moratorium on record destruction and later supported an ordinance aimed at adding safeguards to the record disposition process.
Like many Hamden mayors before her, Garrett has faced criticism over the town’s increasing tax rate, which is one of the highest in the state. Last year’s budget brought a tax rate increase of 3.04 mills, bringing the new rate to 55.48 mills.
“For 20 years or so the town wasn’t paying what it cost to run the town, and so now those bills are coming due,” Garrett said regarding the tax rate.