Approved by the BOS 9/17/08
The meeting was called to order at 6:12 p.m. Present were First Selectman Anthony J. DaRos; Second Selectman Francis W. Walsh and Third Selectman John Opie. Also attending were Sandra Reiners, RTM Moderator; Pat Andriole, Director, Branford Counseling Center; Laura Burban, Director, Daniel Cosgrove Animal Shelter; Shirley Rasmussen, Town Planner; Joe Fazzino, Chairman, Board of Assessors; Barbara Neal, Assessor; Dick Sullivan, Vision Committee; Ken Graham, Young’s Pond Commission; Frank Twohill, RTM member; Lieutenant Geoffrey Morgan; Wayne Cooke; Ed Struzinsky; Marilyn Kennedy; Jeff Clark; Susan Barnes, Mark Zaretsky, Reporter, New Haven Register; Diane Stricker, Reporter, Branford Review, Marcia Chambers and 6 other citizens.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the minutes of August 20, 2008. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Lieutenant Geoffrey Morgan addressed the Board to provide information concerning the resolutions between the town and the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
First Selectman DaRos read the following resolution:
RESOLVED: That the Town of Branford may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate; and, FURTHER RESOLVED, that Anthony J. DaRos, as First Selectman of the Town of Branford is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Town of Branford.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the resolution. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
First Selectman read the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Town of Branford may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate; and FURTHER RESOLVED, that Anthony J. DaRos, as First Selectman of the Town of Branford, is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the town of Branford and to do and perform all acts and things which he deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents, including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such documents.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the resolution. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
First Selectman DaRos read the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the First Selectman, Anthony J. DaRos, is empowered to enter into and amend contractual instruments in the name and on behalf of this contractor with the Department of Social Services of the State of Connecticut for a Special Funding for Municipalities program, and to affix the corporate seal.
Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the resolution. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve a request from Nancy Cohen, Activities Coordinator, Canoe Brook Senior Center, for an exemption as permitted by section 115-4 of the Code of the Town of Branford regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages in a public area and allow beer and wine to be served at the following events:
October Dinner party – October 22, 2008
Harvest Dinner party – November 13, 2008
Chanukah Dinner party – December 16, 2008
Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Selectman Opie read the following proclamation:
Touch a Truck Day – September 13, 2008
Whereas, families are the basic building blocks of society; and,
Whereas, families need and deserve recognition, encouragement, and support for all the daily miracles that they perform; and,
Whereas, the cost of basic needs – food, heat, housing and transportation continue to rise, many families are facing a difficult choice between food, heat or diapers for their young children; and,
Whereas, an adequate supply of disposable diapers may cost a family over $100.00 per month, and babies and toddlers often spend the entire day, or longer, in a single diaper because of financial limitations; and,
Whereas, without clean diapers, babies and toddlers are uncomfortable, sometimes unhealthy, and unable to play and learn; and,
Whereas, parents may also become disheartened and disconnected as they struggle to care for their children; and,
Whereas, the Town of Branford, and the United Way of Greater New Haven have planned activities for TOUCH – A – TRUCK DAY on Saturday, September 13, 2008; and,
Whereas, September 13, 2008 will be designated as a day for families to be together in companionship and fun; and,
Whereas, we ask all citizens to help children in the Community begin their lives healthy, and ready to learn, and to ensure that families have access to diapers; and,
Now, therefore, in recognition of the above organizations’ efforts to the citizens of Branford, we, the Board of Selectmen, of the Town of Branford, do hereby officially designate September 13, 2008 as the First Annual Touch – A – Truck Day in Branford.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the proclamation. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve a request from Laura Burban, Director, Daniel Cosgrove Animal Shelter, to waive the bidding requirement as permitted by section 73-2 of the Code of the Town of Branford regarding the Sale and Disposition of town property and authorize the Director to offer these items to patrons in exchange for monetary donations. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Selectman Opie amended the motion to put a limit on the value of items to be offered at $50.00 per item. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.
Assessor Barbara Neal read an article that will be published in the Branford Review and the Sound concerning the upcoming revaluation.
Reappointments:
Daniel Cosgrove Animal Shelter – Donna Lucente and Robert Worrell terms to expire September 30, 2012. Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the reappointments. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.
Appointments:
Economic Development Commission – Craig Fuchs to fill la vacancy left by Doss Venema term to expire July 31, 2011. Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the appointment. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
First Selectman DaRos read a letter from Wayne Cooke dated August 25, 2008.
Mr. Cooke addressed the Board and presented the Board with a package of copies of letters sent to the Planning and Zoning Commission. He stated he represents the Cooke family not Churchhill & Banks. He presented a listing of businesses purported to be in favor of retail zoning in the exit 56 area. He put up several displays of written materials labeled: When Industry Leaves Branford, Industrial Land in Branford – Analysis, Map of the intersection of Leetes Island Road and Route 1, Annual Net Tax Revenue on proposed 300,000 sq. ft. Retail Project; What Is An IG-2 Industrial Zone?; What Uses Are Permitted in IG-2?; Proposed Uses –Over Last 30 Years; The Overlay Zone.
Selectman Walsh stated that this process is nearly complete that this plan has been going on for over a year and has had lots of input. In addition, he stated, that based on the current economy he doesn’t feel that retail is what is needed. He stated that although 700,000 is nothing to sneeze at it is less than 1% of the budget less than $50 out of an individual tax bill. Where does the overlay zone go?
Shirley Rasmussen, Town Planner addressed the Board to state that this plan has been worked on for over 2 ½ years has had 13 public meetings so far. The Board of Selectmen will meet on the plan at its October 1, 2008 meeting and Planning and Zoning will have its final hearing on October 30, 2008. She encourages residents to comment and submit letters to the Board of Selectmen. The POCD is a policy document. In addition, she stated that Churchhill and Banks is scheduled for a public hearing to consider a zone change.
Irving Levinthal addressed the Board. He stated that he has been in the business as a real estate broker for 30 years. A zone change is necessary in the area. Industry is leaving Connecticut or has left.
Wayne Cooke addressed the Board again.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to adjourn the meeting at 7:14 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Trista Milici
Clerk
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