April 15, 2009 – approved by the BOS 05/06/09
Senior Center – 6:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. Present were First Selectman Anthony J. DaRos; Second Selectman Francis W. Walsh and Third Selectman John Opie. Also present were Patricia Andriole, Director, Branford Counseling Center; Wayne Cooke; Joan Merrick; Pam Roy; Ainsley Highman; Peter Davis; Penny Bellamy; Chris Sullivan; Maureen DaRos; Ann Devlin; Marianne Hall; and Mark Zaretsky as well as approximately 6 others.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the minutes of April 1, 2009. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
First Selectman DaRos read the following Proclamation:
Whereas, millions of Americans, including children, adults, and the elderly, may experience the disease of substance abuse at some point during their lives and may suffer devastating consequences as a result; and,
Whereas, few families in America have been spared some direct or indirect experience with addiction; and,
Whereas, the Branford Counseling Center, along with the Branford Police Department, Branford Recreation Department, School Age Child Care, Branford Fire Department, Family Resource Center and the Youth utreach Worker, have developed activities to introduce children to positive alternatives so they will not resort to drugs and alcohol,
Whereas, April 28, 2009, the Twelfth annual “Take A Step Day”, will be designated as a day to inform, involve, and educate around the issues of substance abuse; 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, Tuesday, April 28, 2009 as “Take A Step Day”.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the resolution. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to add a proclamation concerning Branford Volunteer Appreciation Day. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Barbara Neal, Assessor and Joanne Cleary, Tax Collector addressed the Board to provide information concerning the tax programs that are available for the elderly, disabled and veterans.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the following resolution:
Resolved, that Anthony J. DaRos, First Selectman of the Town of Branford, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name and on behalf of this municipality a contract with the Connecticut State Library for a Historic Documents Preservation Grant.
Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the following proclamation:
Silver Star Banner Day – May 1st, 2009
WHEREAS, the Town of Branford, has always honored the sacrifice of the men and women in the Armed Forces, and;
WHEREAS, The Silver Star Families of America was formed to make sure we remember the blood sacrifice of our wounded and their families, and;
WHEREAS, to date the Silver Star Families of America has freely given thousands of Silver Star Banners to the wounded and their families, and;
WHEREAS, The members of the Silver Star Families of America have worked tirelessly to provide the wounded of this City and Country with Silver Star Banner, Flags and care packages, and;
WHEREAS, The Silver Star Families of America’s sole mission is that every time someone sees a Silver Star Banner in a window or a Silver Star Flag flying, that people remember the sacrificed for this town, State and Nation, and;
WHEREAS, the people and Board of Selectmen wish that the sacrifice of so many in our Armed Forces never be forgotten,
NOW THEREFORE, We, the Board of Selectmen, of the Town of Branford do hereby proclaim May 1st, 2009 as “Silver Star Banner Day, to honor the wounded and ill Soldiers in the Town of Branford.
Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.
Motion made by Selectman Opie to approve the following proclamation:
Provider Appreciation Day - May 8, 2009
WHEREAS, the Town of Branford and other organizations nationwide are recognizing Child Care Providers on this day; and
WHEREAS, of the 21 million children under age 6 in America, 13 million are in child care at least part time. An additional 24 million school-age children are in some form of child care outside of school time; and
WHEREAS, by calling attention to the importance of high quality child care services for all children and families within the Town of Branford, these groups hope to improve the quality and availability of such services; and
WHEREAS, our future depends on the quality of the early childhood experiences provided to young children today; high quality early childcare services represent a worthy commitment to our children's future;
NOW, THEREFORE, We, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Branford, do hereby proclaim May 8, 2009 as Provider Appreciation Day in the Town of Branford and urge all citizens to recognize Branford Child Care Providers for their important work.
Seconded by Selectman Walsh. Vote unanimous.
Reappointments:
Greater New Haven / Connecticut Convention & Visitors Bureau – 3 years
Terence Elton term to expire June 30, 2012. Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the reappointment. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Green Use:
To approve a request from Carol Penny of Alliance Theatre Inc. for use of the Town Green on August 7, August 8 and August 9, 2009 to hold a Children’s theatre play on the Green beginning at 2:30 p.m. Motion made by Selectman Walsh to table the request. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
First Selectman DaRos read the following resolution:
Branford Volunteer Appreciation Day
April 18, 2009
Whereas, The quality of life of a community is greatly enhanced by volunteers and volunteers play a significant role in offering programs and services for the youth, senior citizens and families of our community;
Whereas, Our town government depends on the work of more than four hundred volunteers to ensure the successful functioning of our Boards and Commissions;
Whereas, Specially trained emergency response volunteers stand ready to respond any emergency situation to protect our citizens and our entire community;
Whereas, Volunteers help protect our environment, from the tiniest alewives, horseshoe crabs and osprey to our hundreds of acres of preserved open space by sharing their knowledge and expertise to educate children and adults through enrichment and lecture programs;
Whereas, Volunteers provide a safety net by raising and distributing funds to meet the social, health, cultural and educational needs of our community;
Whereas, Many service organizations run by volunteers provide services for local programs and programs that benefit the less fortunate throughout our community, region and the world;
Whereas, Community events celebrating special holidays, parades and neighborhood celebrations – are all the result of the hard work and support of volunteers;
Whereas, Our youth athletic leagues and other sports programs depend on the enthusiasm and support of the volunteer coaches and leaders;
Whereas, Boy and Girl Scouts depend on the devoted volunteers who teach the skills and values of Scouting;
Whereas, Many Branford citizens volunteer to assist our elderly and disabled by providing rides to medical appointments and by assisting with respite care;
Whereas, Volunteers dedicate countless hours to our impressible youth by providing assistance in the classroom, mentoring programs, and community tutoring programs;
Whereas, Volunteers maintain beautiful plantings throughout the town and work on projects with pre-school and school age children;
Whereas, Other dedicated volunteers maintain and preserve the heritage of our town and provide informational programs to remind us of our past;
Whereas, Our local libraries benefit from the efforts of volunteers in programming and support the institutions service to the community;
Whereas, All these volunteers provide support and services which the town could never purchase or acquire, and most importantly form bonds of community that make Branford a special place to live;
NOW, THEREFORE, we the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Branford, hereby proclaim April 18, 2009 as “Volunteer Appreciation Day” in the Town of Branford.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to approve the proclamation. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
First Selectman DaRos read a letter from Wayne Cooke. Mr. Cooke addressed the Board at approximately 6:35 p.m.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to adjourn the meeting at 6:54 p.m. No second on the vote. Motion failed.
Motion made by Selectman Walsh to adjourn the meeting at 6:56 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Opie. Vote unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Trista Milici
Clerk
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