MINUTES OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
March 15, 2006 – approved by the Board 4/19/06
Senior Center – 6:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. Present at the meeting were First Selectwoman Cheryl P. Morris, Second Selectman Richard Sullivan. Third Selectman John Opie was absent. Also present were Shellfish Commission members, Bill Davis, Robert Radulski, Joseph Dube, Bill Iovene, and Anthony Pucinella; Shoreline Greenway Trail members Pete Peterson and ????. New Haven Register reporter Robert Varley arrived at 6:28 p.m.
First Selectwoman Morris read a letter from Selectman Opie concerning the progress of his injury and thanking peopke for all the cards and notes regarding his recovery.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2006 Board of Selectmen’s meeting as amended. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the minutes of the February 27, 2006 Special Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2006 Special Board of Selectmen’s meeting (public hearing). Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
First Selectwoman Morris read a letter from the Shoreline Greenway Trail dated February 3, 2006.
Pete Peterson from the Shoreline Greenway Trail addressed the Board to explain the request from the Shoreline Greenway Trail to begin improvements on a section of trail located between Totoket Road and the Tilcon Dock
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the request from the Shoreline Greenway Trail to begin improvements on a section of trail located between Totoket Road and the Tilcon Dock. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to move item #10 on the agenda. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Bill Davis and Anthony Pucinella addressed the Board to explain the request to approve the new proposed shellfish lease agreements.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the new proposed shellfish lease agreement forms. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
First Selectwoman Morris reviewed the request for tax abatement concerning property located at 57 Kenyon Street – Castellon. This property was transferred to the town on November 11, 2005. Trista Clyne provided additional information concerning the request. Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the request for abatement of taxes for 57 Kenyon Street –Castellon. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
First Selectwoman Morris read a note from Tax Collector, Joanne Cleary concerning the request for tax abatement for property located at 44 Johnson’s Point Road. Trista Clyne provided additional information to the Board concerning this request. This property was split on April 25, 2005 and half was donated to the Branford Land Trust. The Board decided to suspend action on this item until more information was available.
First Selectwoman Morris reviewed the request for tax abatement concerning a trailer that was located at 252 Leetes Island Road – Judd. This trailer was destroyed by fire in August 2003 and there is a new trailer and new owner on the property. Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the request for the abatement of taxes for 252 Leetes Island Road – Judd. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to move item #14 on the agenda. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to enter into executive session at 6:47 p.m. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Present in executive session were First Selectwoman Morris, Selectman Sullivan, and Shelley Marcus, Town Counsel.
Return to regular session at 7:16 p.m. For the record no votes were taken while in executive session.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the stipulated judgment agreements in the following tax appeal cases:
Ford v. Town of Branford – 33 Sagamore Cove Road
Martin v. Town of Branford – 126 Sunset Beach Road
M. Frechette v. Town of Branford 117 Sunset Beach Road
Nuzzo v. Town of Branford – 73 Sunset Beach Road
Thompson v. Town of Branford – 121 Sunset Beach Road
Kuehl v. Town of Branford – 97 Sunset Beach Road
Kuehl v. Town of Branford =- 101 Sunset Beach Road
Bennit v. Town of Branford – One Killiams Point Road
Moore Family Trust v. Town of Branford – 15 Second Avenue
Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to accept the settlement agreement in the Schroeder v. Town of Branford lawsuit. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to move item #7 on the agenda. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.
Shelley Marcus addressed the Board to provide additional information concerning the request to approve the town’s participation in CCM amicus curiae intervention in proceedings before the DPUC Docket no. CV05-4007101S concerning the rates that CL&P charges municipalities for streetlight service and acquisition with the amount not to exceed $1500.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the town’s participation in CCM amicus curiae intervention in proceedings before the DPUC Docket no. CV05-4007101S concerning the rates that CL&P charges municipalities for streetlight service and acquisition. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
First Selectwoman Morris read portions of a letter from Marianne Kelly and the following resolution:
Resolved, that Cheryl P. Morris, First Selectwoman of the Town of Branford, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name of and on behalf of this municipality, an application and contract with the State Library for a document preservation survey grant.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the resolution. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
First Selectwoman Morris read the following policy statement:
TOWN OF BRANFORD
FAIR HOUSING POLICY STATEMENT
It is both the policy and strong commitment of the Town of Branford to promote Fair Housing opportunities in all its programs and housing development activities and to take affirmative action through education and implementation to ensure equal housing opportunities for all persons and families.
The Town of Branford will take affirmative action to ensure that all tenants, applicants and residents are treated fairly without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, learning disability, mental or physical disability, including but not limited to blindness, age, individuals with children, or lawful source of income.
The Town of Branford will continue to make a good faith effort to comply with all Federal and State laws and policies which speak to fair housing practices.
It is the policy of the Town of Branford that all Housing related personnel be trained and educated in the principles of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity so that Equal Housing Opportunity may be available to all qualified applicants.
This Fair Housing Policy Statement reaffirms our personal commitment to the principles of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity housing practices.
The Fair Housing Officer, Shirley Rasmussen, or her designated representative is responsible for the enforcement and implementation of the Fair Housing Regulations/Plan and the enforcement of this policy. The Fair Housing Officer may be reached at 203-488-1255.
Complaint(s) pertaining to discrimination in any program funded by this Town of Branford may be filed with the Fair Housing Officer. The Town’s Grievance Procedure will be utilized in this case(s).
Complaints also may be filed will the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunity, 21 Grand Street, Hartford, CT 06106.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the Policy Statement. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
First Selectwoman Morris read the following resolution:
Fair Housing Resolution
Whereas, All American citizens are afforded a right to full and equal housing opportunities in the neighborhood of their choice; and
Whereas, State and Federal Fair Housing laws require that all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age mental or physical disability, lawful source of income, sexual orientation, familiar status, be given equal access to rental and homeownership opportunities, and be allowed to make free choices regarding housing location; and
Whereas, The Town of Branford is committed to upholding these laws, and realizes that these laws must be supplemented by an Affirmative Statement publicly endorsing the right of all people to full and equal housing opportunities in the neighborhood of their choice.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Branford hereby endorses a Fair Housing Policy to ensure equal opportunity for all persons to rent, purchase and obtain financing for adequate housing of their choice on a non-discriminatory basis; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the First Selectwoman, of the Town of Branford her designated representative is responsible for responding to and assisting any person who alleges to be the victim of an illegal discriminatory housing practices in the Town of Branford.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the resolution. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a request from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for use of the Town Green on Sunday, May 7, 2006 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon to hold a Walk-a-Thon. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a request from the Branford Festival Corporation for use of the Town Green from June 16 through June 18, 2006 to hold the Annual Branford Festival. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a request from the Trinity Episcopal Church for use of the Town Green on Saturday, September 9, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to hold the 99th Annual Church Fair. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of Meeting – March 15, 2006
Page Five
First Selectwoman Morris read the following Proclamation:
Third Annual
“Children Feeding Children Day”
May 6, 2006
Whereas, the Community Dining Room, a Branford Human Service Agency, has provided food support and referral services to shoreline families and children in need for nearly 20 years, and;
Whereas, the Community Dining Room recognizes that good nutrition is a critical component to every child’s well being and readiness for learning thus promoting a stronger and more vital community, and;
Whereas, Last year’s event raised nearly $10,000 in funds to support the Community Dining Room’s efforts to provide food and support to our community; and,
Whereas, its Board of Directors, volunteers and friends have organized the Third Annual Strollerthon-Walkathon on May 6, 2006, to help raise awareness of the importance of good nutrition for the well-being of our families and children;
Now, Therefore, in recognition, of the above organizations’ efforts to the citizens of the Town of Branford and neighboring communities, We, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Branford, do hereby officially designate May 6, 2006 as “Children Feeding Children Day” in the Town of Branford.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the resolution. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Selectman Sullivan corrected the agenda to appoint Joseph Tartagione to the Parker Memorial Park Commission. Stating there was a mistake in a letter that was sent to Mr. Tartagione appointing him to the Commission until 2008. That letter should have reflected a term expiration date of 2005.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the appointment of Joseph Tartagione to the Parker Memorial Park Commission term to expire December 31, 2010. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Commission on Elderly Services – Phyliss Batrow, Blossom Rose, and Luba Mebert-Schmid terms to expire December 31, 2008. Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the reappointments. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
East Shore Health Department Regional Board – Shirley Girouard term to expire February 28, 2009. Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve the reappointment. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of Meeting – March 15, 2006
Page Six
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Trista Clyne, Clerk
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