Maturo Answers Whether He Wants 10th Term as East Haven Mayor

EAST HAVEN, CT - We've barely begun 2019 and the mayoral election is more than 10 months away but that doesn't mean there isn't lots of speculation around town as to who may be interested in the position.

And while there are several potential Democratic candidates being rumored to possibly take on incumbent Republican Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. this coming November, all talk/speculation starts with the nine-time mayoral winner - Maturo.

Will Maturo be seeking a record-breaking 10th term?

In 2017 when Maturo ran for his ninth term as mayor he made the announcement that he would be running in late January. If he keeps to that same time schedule, an announcement could be just a few weeks away.

Patch asked Maturo just before the Christmas holiday his thoughts on whether he would be seeking another term.

Here is what he had to say:

"I have not had a discussion on the future of another two years. It's been a great 18 years so far with too many accomplishments to mention right now.

“I will not be making that decision until much after the holiday season as I have done over the past almost 18 of the last 22 years that I have been mayor of this great community.

“This time of the year is set aside as I am working very hard with my team to come up with a town budget for the next fiscal year which will again give taxpayers my 18th balanced budget and which puts money back into their pocket.

“I just want to say Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all, including anyone who decides to be my opponent," Maturo said.

While Maturo won re-election in 2017 he didn't do so easily, only winning by 105 votes - or slightly more than 1 percent - over his Democratic challenger Salvatore Maltese.

And the last two years have certainly had their ups and downs for the mayor.

On the upside, the town closed out the 2017-2018 fiscal year with a $409,376.00 operating surplus - the town's seventh consecutive operating surplus since Maturo resumed office in 2011 and the 17th surplus for Maturo since 1997.

On the downside, much of last year the mayor found himself the subject of unwanted news coverage for the settlement of a sexual harassment lawsuit by a former employee against him and the town.

The town's taxpayers wound up being liable for an $175,000 payout and lifetime medical benefits for an ex town employee and her spouse to resolve the sex harassment suit brought against Maturo.