www.northhavencitizen.com
Volume 18, Number
Friday, August 25, 2023
Up for debate
RING CEREMONY
Buemi supportive of Fair Rent Commission, while Freda and Pieper express concern By Michael Savino Special to the Citizen
The Board of Selectmen could consider creating a Fair Rent Commission to protect tenants from exorbitant rent increases.
On March 21, the North Haven High School hockey team became DII state champion by defeating Woodstock Academy 2-1 in overtime. On Thursday, Aug. 17, the team came back together to celebrate their championship with a ring ceremony. Back row: Chris Consorte, Bryce Montabana, Asst. Coach Mike Tantorski, Head Coach Chris Avena, Asst. Coach Dennis Mastriano, Alex Petersen, Bryce Mastriano, Jaxson O’Brien, Ben Gilbert, Mark Guidone, Paul Mastriano, Will Keaney and Bryce Petersen; front row: Nolan Coke, Andrew Porto, Gavin Knauft, Lleyton Geremia, Tommy Guidone, stick boy Nico Porto, Owen Quick, Connor Keaney, Will Sullivan, Jake Donovan and Joey Taft.
Stolen kitten, long history of criminality: More details of crime spree emerge By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff
Selectwoman Sally Buemi raised the idea at the Board’s Aug. 3 meeting, after being approached by a resident who faced a 77% rent increase. Buemi said the woman, who’s lived in the unit for 22 years, would need to pay an additional $750 a month. “For a person living on social security or maybe with some part-time work, that kind of an increase is just, kind of, impossible,” Buemi said. She also said a Fair Rent Commission could give the woman, and other residents in that situation, a place to turn for help. A commission would be able to hear appeals from residents who think their landlords have increased rent too much. nf towns without a commission, residents have to file a lawsuit and take their landlord to court.
He and five other individuals were arrested on Aug. 10 and charged with armed robbery, car thefts, dangerous pursuits and arson from Torrington to Branford, Southington, Wallingford, North Haven, and Meriden.
tially held on a $500,000 bond, but saw his reduced to $100,000. Both men were in custody in New Haven. The four juveniles involved in the case were turned over to juvenile authorities.
Barbera was charged with multiple counts related to the incident and initially held on $1 million bond. On FriBarbera was well-known to several day, Aug. 11, the bond was reduced to police departments prior to the recent $800,000. The only other adult crime spree that ended in Meriden. charged, Kyle Mitchell-Howe, was ini-
Police also discovered a 7-week-old kitten under the seat of the stolen car. According to a press release issued by the Meriden Police Department, offi-
Towns with at least 25,000 residents are required to have a Fair Rent Commission. North Haven is just short of that mark, at 24,253
See Crime, A7
See Rent, A5
The day after his 18th birthday, on Nov. 6, 2022, Meriden’s Robert Barbera allegedly stole a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport from a Cheshire resident, according to an arrest warrant filed in June.