The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. Present were First Selectwoman, Cheryl Morris; Second Selectman Richard Sullivan and Third Selectman, John Opie. Also attending were John Smith, Facilities Manager; Alex Palluzzi, Director, Branford Recreation Department; Edward Stuzinsky, Water Pollution Control Authority; Pam Fowler, RTM member; Frank Twohill, RTM member; Eliza Cleveland and Marcia Chambers. Also present were Shelley Marcus, Town Attorney.
Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the minutes of September 17, 2007 (special meeting) and September 19, 2007. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.
Alex Palluzzi, Director, Branford Recreation Department and John Smith, Facilities Manager addressed the Board to provide information concerning the request to waive bid for portable lighting at Hammer Field, Sliney Field, Veteran’s Park & WIS Middle School for youth soccer and football clubs from Warning Lights and Scaffolding Services, Inc.
Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to approve a request from Alex Palluzzi, Director, Branford Recreation Department to waive bid for portable lighting at Hammer Field, Sliney Field, Veteran’s Park & WIS Middle School for youth soccer and football clubs from Warning Lights and Scaffolding Services, Inc. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
First Selectwoman Morris read the following proclamation:
WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY
OCTOBER 15, 2007
WHEREAS, THE WHITE CANE AND THE DOG GUIDE HAVE COME TO SYMBOLIZE EVERY BLIND PERSON'S RIGHT TO PURSUE AND ACHIEVE A FULL AND INDEPENDENT LIFE, AND THE USE OF THE WHITE CANE OR THE DOG GUIDE ALLOWS BLIND PERSONS TO TRAVEL SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY TO UNDERTAKE GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AND TO OTHERWISE FULLY PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY; AND,
WHEREAS, CONNECTICUT STATE LAW SECURES THE RIGHT OF BLIND PERSONS TO CARRY AND USE A WHITE CANE OR BE ACCOMPANIED BY A DOG GUIDE, WHETHER ON THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, TRAVELING ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, UTILIZING PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, LOCATING HOUSING OR WORKING ON THE JOB, AND CONNECTICUT LAW ALSO REQUIRES MOTORISTS TO EXERCISE APPROPRIATE CAUTION WHEN APPROACHING A BLIND PERSON USING A WHITE CANE OR DOG GUIDE; AND,
WHEREAS, CONNECTICUT LAW FURTHER ENCOURAGES EMPLOYERS, BOTH IN THE PRIVATE AND
PUBLIC SECTOR, TO EXPLORE AND UTILIZE THE SKILLS AND POTENTIALS FOR PRODUCTIVITY OF THE BLIND CITIZENS OF CONNECTICUT, TO RECOGNIZE THEIR CAPABILITIES AND RESPECT THEIR WORTH AS INDIVIDUALS; AND,
WHEREAS, THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, WITH THE ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF CONNECTICUT CAN LOOK FORWARD TO AN EVER-INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE ABILITIES OF BLIND PEOPLE AND TO A GREATER ACCEPTANCE OF BLIND PEOPLE IN THE COMPETITIVE LABOR MARKET;
NOW, THEREFORE,WE, THE BRANFORD BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF BRANFORD, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 15, 2007, AS WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY FOR THE TOWN OF BRANFORD AND CALL UPON OUR SCHOOLS, INSTITUTIONS, AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO TAKE THE LEAD IN ENSURING FULL ACCEPTANCE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLIND OF CONNECTICUT, AND I ALSO URGE ALL CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPECT THE WHITE CANE AND THE DOG GUIDE AS REPRESENTING SAFETY, DIGNITY AND SELF-HELP FOR THE BLIND OF CONNECTICUT.
Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to approve the proclamation. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve a request from The Branford Recreation Department and Branford Festival Corporation for use of the Town Green on July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27 and August 3, 2008 to hold the Summer concert series. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to add a request from “Park’s World Champion Taekondo” studio for use of the Town Green on November 3, 2007 to hold a martial arts demonstration. Seconded by Selectman Sullivan. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to approve the request from “Park’s World Champion Taekondo” studio for use of the Town Green on November 3, 2007 to hold a martial arts demonstration pending proof of insurance. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to enter into executive session to discuss pending tax appeals at 6:25 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Return to regular meeting at 6:41 p.m. For the record no votes were taken while in executive session. Present were First Selectwoman Cheryl P. Morris, Second Selectman Richard Sullivan, Third Selectman John Opie. Also present was Attorney Shelley Marcus, Town Attorney.
Motion made by Selectman Sullivan to approve stipulated judgment agreements in the following tax appeal cases:
Margolis, Trustee v. Town of Branford, 245 Pleasant Point Road
Gervasoni v. Town of Branford, 13 and 14 Beaver Road
Tiantis v. Town of Branford, 9 Abbie Road
Chipkin v. Town of Branford, 23 Linden Shores
Cassella v. Town of Branford, 17 Seaview Avenue
Seconded by First Selectman Morris. Vote unanimous in Gervasoni, Tiantis, Chipkin and Cassella v. Town of Branford. Selectman Opie abstained in Margolis, Trustee v. Town of Branford.
Correspondence – Selectman Opie acknowledged a letter from the Stony Creek Association concerning a parcel of property that is for sale located on Thimble Island Road that currently houses the Stony Creek Post Office.
Selectman Opie made a motion to add the discussion of independent counsel to review the Tabor case to the agenda. Seconded by First Selectwoman Morris. Vote unanimous.
Selectman Opie provided copies of a proposed resolution for the Board’s consideration. Selectman Opie read the following resolution:
Be it resolved, that the Branford Board of Selectmen agree to hire an independent counsel to review and report their findings on the appropriateness of all legal advice given to the town leading up to and including the acquisition of the parcel of land commonly referred to as “Tabor Drive”.
This should include all advice rendered during development proposals by New England Estates through the most recent events and include all administrations.
The hiring of such a counsel shall be by unanimous agreement of the Board of Selectmen as shall the scope of work and time table set forth in a “Request for Proposal” for that purpose.
Selectman Opie made a motion to approve the resolution. No second on the motion. Motion failed.
First Selectwoman Morris stated she concurred but that this is premature because the case is still in court and this could jeopardize the case.
Selectman Opie stated he respectfully disagrees.
RTM member Frank Twohill stated he supports the resolution and that it will take a long time to review the case and that the time to pursue any possible claims against any firm, etc. may be lost.
RTM member Pam Fowler addressed the Board to state that the town’s website is missing minutes from previous Board of Selectmen’s meetings and requested that the website be brought up to date.
Ed Stuzinsky addressed the Board to discuss recent articles about the Sewer user fee program. Exchanges took place between Mr. Struzinky and Selectman Opie.
Motion made by First Selectwoman Morris to adjourn the meeting at 7:16 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Trista Milici
Clerk
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