North Branford's Code of Conduct for public participation at town meetings was officially revoked last night, by unanimous vote of the Town Council.

On the books for less than a year, the code was adopted in March 2015 by majority vote of the Town Council, with just one councilman, Vincent Caprio (R, 2013-15), voting against adopting the new policy  (see the story at http://www.zip06.com/article/20150321/NWS01/150329988/0/SEARCH%20).

The policy was enacted following months of disruptive town meetings due to a controversial issue; namely, the proposed 60,000 gallon bulk propane facility being proposed by J.J. Sullivan Fuel Co. (Guilford) for a site at 40 Ciro Road.  The facility's fate remains on hold as of Jan. 2015, when the Inland Wetlands site plan was forwarded to the state Dept. of Energy Environmental Protection (DEEP) for review at the request of J.J. Sullivan Co. As of this week, the DEEP has yet to send the town its verdict on the plan (more on the DEEP review at http://www.zip06.com/news/20151124/5894-billed-to-nb-deep-propane-review-continues

At the Jan. 5 Town Council meeting, Deputy Mayor Joseph Faughnan (D) suggested the idea to revoke the public conduct procedures and rules for public participation during town meetings, saying he felt it was "too restrictive," with such requirements as having people to sign up to speak, and then having only three minutes to talk.

"It seems to me the chairman always has the right to rule any party out of order or not to recognize him to speak at all if he is so inclined. I think that's a sufficient control for controlling meetings going forward," said Faughnan. "We had a unique situation last year where we felt there was some additional action needed...to control people who some feel were taking advantage of the public forum to address their concerns in a manner that was at best, disrespectful, and in some instances, outright insulting to town representatives and people who disagreed with their point of view."

"I agree with you totally," council member Al Rose (R) told Faughnan. Rose then made a motion to revoke the policy, seconded by council member Anthony Candelora (R) and followed by a unanimous vote of the nine-member council.

Town Manager Michael Paulhus told Zip06 the Town Council vote created an instant revocation of the policy.