The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. Present were First Selectman Anthony J. DaRos; Second Selectman Francis W. Walsh and Third Selectman John Opie. Also attending were Attorney James Perito; James Hickey, United States Postal Service; Patricia Andriole, Director, Branford Counseling Center; Jane Bouley, Town Historian; Mary Grande, Chairman, Board of Recreation; William O’ Brien, Board of Recreation; Alex Palluzzi, Recreation Director; Bill Iovene, Shellfish Commission; Bill Davis, Shellfish Commission; Tony Pucinella, Shellfish
Commission; Bob Radulski, Shellfish Commission; Joe Dube, Shellfish Commission; Pamela Fowler, RTM member; Frank Twohill, RTM member; Jay Medlyn, local farmer; Mark Sansone, local farmer; Carol Cutrona, local farmer; and Marcia Chambers.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to add the Shellfish Commission to the agenda after item #8 to discuss the purchase of a rain gauge and boat. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the minutes of March 5, 2008. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
James Hickey and the Officer in Charge for the Post Office addressed the Board to explain the relocation of the customer service portion of the operations that currently are housed at the Park Place Post Office. Currently the Park Place facility houses the distribution of mail as well as customer services. The Post Office would like to move the customer services portion of their services to another location within the center of town to make room for new sorting machinery. Mr. Hickey stated that these changes would not eliminate any customer services at the Stony Creek and Short Beach facilities. The only difference may be that the carriers will operate out of the Park Place facility.
Mary Grande and Bill O’Brien addressed the Board to give a presentation and provide information about the function of the Board of Recreation.
Patricia Andriole addressed the Board to explain the request to enter into a Student Educational Affiliation Agreement between the Town of Branford and to authorize the First Selectman to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the Town of Branford.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to enter into a Student Educational Affiliation Agreement between the Town of Branford and Southern Connecticut State University and to authorize the First Selectman to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the Town of Branford. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve a proposal for an addition at the Daniel Cosgrove Animal Shelter and refer this item to the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
First Selectman DaRos read the following resolution:
Whereas, the Branford Community Dining Room, a Branford Human Services Agency, has provided food support and referral services to shoreline families and children in need for nearly twenty-five years, and;
Whereas, The Branford 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, it’s Board of Directors, volunteers and friends have organized the Fifth Annual Strollerthon-Walkathon on April 26th 2008 to help raise awareness of the importance of good nutrition for the well-being of our families and children, and;
NOW THEREFORE, in recognition of the above organizations’ efforts to the citizens of the Town of Branford and neighboring communities, We, the Branford Board of Selectmen of the Town of Branford do hereby officially designate April 26, 2008, as “Children Feeding Children Day” in the Town of Branford.
Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the resolution. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.
Reappointments:
Board of Ethics – 5 years
Jeff Clark term to expire January 30, 2013. Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the reappointment. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.
Correspondence:
First Selectman DaRos read a resignation letter from Inland Wetlands Commissioner Carol Lemmon. Motion made by Selectman Opie to accept the resignation. Seconded by Selectman Walsh with regret. Vote unanimous.
First Selectman DaRos read a letter from local farming families concerning the recent approval of a proposal to hold a farmers market on the Town Green. Carol Cutrona addressed the Board to express her objection to the idea. Mark Sansone, Jane Bouley and Jay Medlyn all expressed an objection to the idea. Terry Elton addressed the Board to provide background. First Selectman DaRos stated that a letter would be sent to the State Department of Agriculture.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to rescind the approval given previously for use of the Town Green to hold a farmers market. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Members of the Shellfish Commission addressed the Board to explain the request to purchase a Parker Boat for approximately $50,000. The Commissioners explained the Parker is the most fiscally prudent package that fulfills their needs. 50% of the cost for the purchase will come from a grant from the Department of Agriculture and the other 50% would come out of the Shellfish account.
Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the acquisition of a boat as described in the letter from the Shellfish Commission after bids are received from three different boat dealers and the lowest bidder is selected. Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.
Shellfish Commission members addressed the Board to explain the request to purchase a rain gauge. Bill Iovene described the process currently used to close the shellfishing areas. He stated that it is all done manually (phone calls/faxes) and there is a lot of room for error. This rain gauge comes with a soft ware package that will be used to automate the notification system. The purchase of this rain gauge will automate the system and make it faster and leave less room for error.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to waive the bidding requirement to purchase the rain gauge. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
First Selectman DaRos stated that a letter was being mailed to some of the senior in town notifying them that they may be eligible for an economic stimulus check even if they don’t file income tax returns. He urged seniors to contact the Senior Center for help in answering questions and filling out the required forms.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to enter into executive session at 7:30 p.m. to discuss pending tax appeals. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Return to regular session at 7:38 p.m.
For the record no votes were taken while in executive session. Present during executive session were First Selectman Anthony J. DaRos, Second Selectman Francis W. Walsh and Third Selectman John Opie. Also present was Attorney James Perito.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the stipulated judgment agreement in the 250 North Main Street, LLC v. Town of Branford tax appeal case (260 North Main Street). Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Trista Milici
Clerk
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