Carfora: “If I'm Mayor You’ll Be Towed If Illegally Parked”

EAST HAVEN, CT - Second District Council Joseph Deko is planning to introduce an ordinance at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting that would ban non residents from both parking in East Haven town beach parking lots and designated streets near the beach.

It is a plan that fellow councilman - and announced Democratic candidate for mayor Joseph Carfora - says he is 100 percent behind.

“I am pleased to assist Joe Deko in anyway," Carfora said. "He is a lifelong resident of the 2nd district who understands the area and the needs of his neighbors as well as anyone. Joe has included me in some of the meetings with his constituents during which I have seen and heard their concerns. The parking situation at the beach and near their homes is directly impacting their quality of life.”

Carfora further adds, “that I will do everything in my power, as a fellow councilperson, to help Joe implement this solution. This ordinance for residents parking only in our town beach parking lots and designated streets should be acted upon immediately.”

Finally, Carfora even takes a step further, “If by some chance Joe’s plan is not implemented during this summer season, you can rest assure that I will act on this issue immediately after my election as your Mayor. And know this—that if people are illegally parking in these no parking zones, there will be a comprehensive plan to ticket illegally parked cars AND to tow them. There will be zero tolerance for those who refuse to follow our rules. Rest assure that your car will be towed!”

The issue of non residents parking in and around the town beach area has been an ongoing issue in East Haven for many years. Residents have complained that non residents take up all the spaces on many hot, summer weekends, making it difficult for those who live in the area to find a place to park.

Current East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. has downplayed the issue, stating: "We only have a small problem on holidays and every election year it is used by candidates to pontificate.”

Maturo last week ruled out seeking a record 10th term as the GOP nominee for mayor but he refused to state he would not seek another term as an Independent candidate.

Another announced mayoral candidate and council member, Republican Big Steve Tracey, has said he will propose spending $50,000 to address the parking issues at the beach.

Patch has reached out, but has yet to hear back from Tracey, whether he will support Deko’s ordinance.

Another GOP candidate for mayor, Sal Maltese, hasn’t taken a position on the issue.