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12/22/2016 12:41 PMHere’s a glimpse at some of the stories making news in Branford in 2016.
January
The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) gives the final green light to build a new, hybrid Walsh Intermediate School (WIS), approving $88.2 million in bonding. The new “next-generation” WIS is on track for a December 2019 completion and an expected final cost to the town, following state reimbursements, of approximately $56 million.
Costco submits an application to build on 44 acres off I-95 at Exit 56. A 58,000 square-foot Costco store and 16-pump gas station are phase one plans for 573 East Main Street. Phase Two calls for seven additional buildings for commercial, retail, and restaurant use and involves two smaller contiguous parcels at 20 East Industrial Road and 569 East Main Street, owned by other entities. A standing-room only crowd packs the opening the Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) Costco plan public hearing. The hearing is continued to Feb. 11.
Concerns about increased traffic are raised just as the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) is poised to decide on the Atlantic Wharf town center project. Later, by unanimous vote on Jan. 21, the PZC approves the application. The former Atlantic Wire factory will disappear and mixed-use, 205-unit, transit-oriented Atlantic Wharf will rise on the 7.6 acre Branford River site in about three years’ time.
February
National restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill will move into renovated and new construction space at 120 Commercial Parkway.
The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) announces it will go forward with plans, delayed in 2015, to reconstruct and improve the state boat launch in Branford, from spring through fall 2016.
Actions by Branford’s PZC to approve Metro Star LLC’s Atlantic Wharf are being appealed as not valid, in a civil suit brought by a Wilford Avenue property owner.
Branford’s Board of Finance (BOF) asks the Blackstone Library Board of Trustees to align library expansion plans with Town Hall’s project planning channels, before the BOF will consider recommending $50,000 to help the library board pay for schematic plans for long-sought library improvements. The library improvement project is estimated to cost $4.8 million.
On Feb. 11, a crowd of more than 50, mostly opposed, attend part two of the Costco public hearing. Also during the hearing, an intervenor, Branford Land Trust (BLT) announces reaching a provisional agreement with Costco regarding modifications specified by the Trust. On Feb. 24, Costco submits modified inland wetlands permit applications and plans that the company says meets BLT specifications.
March
On March 10, an expert for Costco tells the PZC that recently modified site plan infrastructure details and practices exceed required standards, but Costco’s attorney said Costco will respond, if possible, with even more conclusive details to questions in a March 9 peer review result submitted by a town-hired firm, Milone & MacBroom. Also in March, following allegations raised by Branford blog Branford Seven using the Freedom of Information Act to review emails, First Selectman James B. Cosgrove announces the town is reviewing the conduct of its inland wetlands enforcement officer and commission chair for possible inappropriate involvement with a Costco peer review.
A crowd of interested citizens turns out on March 29 for the Branford Community Forum on the opioid and heroin crisis, gathered by State Representative Sean Scanlon (D-98).
April
Daniel P. Cosgrove passes away on April 12 at 98. An autodidact, philanthropist, and noted wielder of influence in Branford and Hartford, Cosgrove was a prominent Branford excavation contractor of more than 60 years. His positive impact on Branford was far reaching for many decades.
On April 14, after hours of sometimes contentious discussion, the IWC closes the fourth and final night of a public hearing on the three-part Costco application.
Branford’s Education Hall of Fame inducts 10 more people to join a prestigious group of more than 200 honored since 1998 for bringing distinction to educating and informing Branford’s citizenry.
On April 26, just two days before an IWC vote is set to come down, Costco withdraws its application site plan. Costco has the option of re-submitting an application to the town and Cosgrove says he will “remain committed” to bringing Costco to Branford. Following on the heels of Costco’s withdrawal, an attorney representing two smaller parcels in the three-part Costco application notifies the town both pending applications are also being withdrawn.
Next-gen conceptual discussions for Walsh Intermediate School are underway, led by Branford’s Public Building Commission (PCB) and the project team. Project architect Antinozzi Associates will refine the design while the construction manager and project estimators will help the team to keep it within budget.
For the second year in a row, vandalism hits Branford Little League (BLL) at Sliney Field, extensively damaging brand-new batting cage netting.
May
With help from community organizations and individuals, Branford Historical Society hits its fundraising goal to purchase and maintain its museum, the 1724 Harrison House on Main Street.
With one commissioner saying he feels Branford’s IWC is going to change “drastically” in the next few months, the current IWC votes 4-3 to adopt revised regulations in the works for over a year. First Selectman Cosgrove later condemns the IWC’s vote to adopt the regs as an “unprecedented abuse of power” in light of “ignoring a prior vote of the commission for legal review.”
With an eye toward state budget shortfalls, the RTM votes to adopt a re-tooled 2016-’17 town expenditure budget reduced by some $300,000 to offset potential revenue losses; then votes in a $105.89 budget similar to that recommended by the BOF. The BOF later sets a new mill rate of 27.41.
Branford’s superintendent of schools issues a statement addressing bullying concerns at WIS raised by parents during the May 18 Board of Education (BOE) meeting, where the BOE heard emotional requests for help from parents speaking on behalf of children allegedly bullied by a particular student.
June
Weathering criticism from opponents, First Selectman Cosgrove stands by his decision not to re-appoint three IWC members after their terms expire, and the Board of Selectmen vote 2-1 to accept four new appointees to the commission. In response, ousted former IWC chairman Daniel Shapiro says he’ll ask the state to call a moratorium on Branford commercial building, oversee IWC activity, and launch an investigation into a town review initiated in March; the state declines. The newly formed IWC votes in new chairman Peter Basserman. With a new chairman and four new members now in place, Branford’s IWC is forming a committee to review regulation changes ushered in by the preceding IWC. Between June 8 and an appeal deadline of June 10, four lawsuits are brought against the IWC regarding the former IWC’s adoption of revised regulations.
Branford High School (BHS) graduates 245 members of the class of 2016 on a blue sky evening on the Town Green on June 10.
Branford’s 32nd annual Branford Festival is held on the Town Green June 17 to 19.
Residents visit the Branford Police Department to show support and sympathy after Dallas, Texas, officers are shot down while protecting a peaceful protest. Support for Branford police is shown with blue ribbons adorning Main Street flower baskets and mailboxes around town.
With a traffic study showing no significant vehicle impacts on the surrounding neighborhood, the PZC approves design outlines for a combined Senior/Community Center building created by modernizing, enlarging, and upgrading the current Community House on Church Street.
A June 13 search for a missing person last seen hiking away from Stony Creek turns tragic. Branford, State, and Amtrak police report the body of Sarah Addy, 31, is discovered June 14, having been struck earlier by an Amtrak Acela train. In recent months, Branford has endured a tragic spike in deaths of residents struck by trains, a total of three fatalities. Investigations into the Oct. 2015 and April 2016 fatalities found the victims to have intentionally placed themselves in harm’s way.
With song, words of tribute, and rainbow lights shining from the steps of Town Hall and Blackstone Library, members of the Branford community came together during an event organized by a resident, Colin Sheehan, #Branford4Orlando; to show solidarity and support of the 49 victims of a gunman’s shooting rampage at Pulse, an Orlando, Florida, nightclub.
July
A proposal to develop a small, waterfront lot into either a single-family home or a six-unit, two-building affordable housing development at 239 Pawson Road has Pawson Park neighbors in an uproar. A PZC public hearing is held. While the property doesn’t meet zoning regulations and is potentially a valuable habitat for protected species; state statute 8-30g encourages the development of affordable housing, and places the burden of proof on the town to show why any one site is unsuitable. The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is also hearing request from the same property owner to allow three variances to build a single family house on the lot.
The Branford Fire Department (BFD) is pivotal in responding to a seven-car pile-up on I-95 in Branford July 11. BFD extricates some trapped victims, including a youngster, and assists others critically injured.
A black bear is spotted near Damascus Road and Windmill Hill on July 11; police warn residents to stay away if they spot the animal.
Branford police officers responding to an emergency call are injured in a motor vehicle crash on July 14 after they were struck by a driver later charged with driving under the influence.
After delaying a project anticipated to begin in early spring, the DEEP closes the state boat launch on July 14 to begin renovations. The ramp is expected to reopen Nov. 4.
August
The ZBA denies a request for three variances that could have allowed a property owner to build a new single family home at 239 Pawson Road. The action was a repeat of the ZBA’s December 2015 decision that denied the property’s previous owner variances needed to construct a single family home on a lot deemed unbuildable by the town.
Branford Police detectives investigate the death of Joseph Miller, 28, of Branford, after he was located, deceased, on a portion of the town’s Tabor Property on Aug. 31; police say there is no threat to the public’s safety and the “suspicious” cause is later determined to be an untimely death.
At an Aug. 31 meeting, Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) officials share reasons why completion of the Branford rail station expansion has been so delayed. None of them involve the contractor, Rizzo Construction, DOT officials said. Over time, the $10 million project cost has crept up to $11 million. The opening is now set for Sept. 30.
Branford Public Schools (BPS) greeted its teachers with an energetic opening day event on Aug. 24, with eight new teachers and one new administrator joining BPS. Use of the newly-replaced artificial turf field at BHS will be sidelined until at least the first of October, due to unanticipated work delays on installation of the new track around the field.
On Aug. 24, an emotional Jean Kelley of Branford-based Brian’s Hope hosts a celebration of a new state law, only the second in the country, mandating life-saving newborn screening for adrenoluekodystrophy (ALD).
American Polyfilm, Inc., established in 1998 by Branford’s Cassella family, cuts the ribbon on the company’s state of the art manufacturing headquarters in Branford; designed and built using Branford-based companies.
Branford Parks & Recreation Commission declares all passive and recreational park spaces as smoke free zones.
September
With a United Way report showing 37 percent of Branford’s working families are living just above the poverty line, Branford Food Pantry gears up to help 500 residents get holiday meal baskets by seeking donations of frozen turkeys and holiday meal supplies from community members.
A public hearing to upgrade Parkside Village One brings a large, organized contingent of opposition. The town planner also points out several significant zoning hurdles facing the Planned Development District (PDD) application. The 42 year-old, outmoded Parkside Village One affordable housing complex is home to elderly and disabled, but the application submitted by Branford Housing Authority (BHA) and developer Beacon Communities LLC would make some units available to lower income families, remove original buildings and construct a single, three-story building of 71 units.
A $500,000 STEAP grant is approved to replace the existing Indian Neck/Pine Orchard volunteer Company 9 fire house located at 6-10 Linden Avenue.
October
BHA Chair Douglas Denes announces an application for major design and residential use changes at low-income Parkside Village One is being withdrawn, but is not going away. Denes tells the PZC “I am absolutely dumbfounded that we are not receiving accolades for the work we’ve done on this project.”
The Exchange Club of Branford hosts the third annual Honoring Shoreline Heroes including Branford firefighter/paramedic Dante Ghiroli and Branford Police Office Matthew Clerkin. Branford Police Chief Kevin Halloran announces Officer David Atkinson is the new Youth Detective, working with the town’s schools.
On Oct. 28, Governor Malloy and DOT officials join with local dignitaries to celebrate the completion and pending opening of the northbound side of Branford’s railroad station. Trains will start using the new platform beginning Nov. 5.
November
The PZC denies an application for a proposed six-unit residential development to include some affordable housing at 239 Pawson Road; meanwhile, the same property owner has filed a court appeal of the ZBA’s earlier denial to allow a single family home on the parcel.
Election Day voting in Branford experiences one slight disruption—a malfunctioning ballot counter on a scanning machine, slowing down voters for about five minutes in District Four. Sticking to Connecticut’s status as a blue state, Branford voters back Democrats in the presidential and state elections. In the state race, Branford pulls for incumbent Democratic State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr., defeating Republican challenger Bruce Wilson, Jr. Branford also gives another victory to incumbent Democratic State Representative Lonnie Reed, who is returned to her General Assembly 102nd District seat over Republican challenger Chris Kelly.
A swastika is found spray-painted on state property on an I-95 Hosley Avenue overpass in Branford. Police say the symbol is the only known marking of its kind in the area. It was painted over.
Branford Land Trust receives a $91,000 DEEP grant to assist a preservation project of the 29 acre Red Hill Woods parcel also known as the Warner/Hull property.
Led by energetic 91 year-old World War II veteran Nelson Bernabucci, Branford Rotary puts all hands on deck to serve up a big show of gratitude for 44 U.S. military members at Rotary’s 2016 Veterans Day Luncheon. BHS hosts the 19th annual Veterans Appreciation Day with more than 40 veterans visiting students.
One man was accidentally shot in the shoulder following what police say was an unintentional firing of a handgun during a non-threatening exchange between three acquaintances in parking lot outside Eli’s on the Hill Restaurant.
Branford’s annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting ceremony is held on Nov. 26.
On Nov. 27, an 18 year-old driver of a stolen vehicle which exited I-95 in Branford crashes into a car on Route 1, killing a four-year-old child in the stolen vehicle. Police locate and arrest the injured driver in woods nearby.
On Nov. 28, the BOF votes unanimously to recommend to the RTM $12.11 million in bonding to fund the planning, acquisition and construction of the renovation of Branford Community House to become the town’s combined community and senior center facility.
DEEP reports having to euthanize a nuisance bear spotted in Branford over the past months. The bear, which had attacked livestock, was trapped near the Branford/Guilford town line.
December
On Dec. 5, Police Chief Kevin Halloran helps calm fears of some 60 citizens who call a meeting with questions about keeping Branford tolerant in the wake of the presidential election. There have been no incidents of violence, threats, or other acts reported in town.
With three words on bright green lawn signs, farmer Jay Medlyn is stepping up his battle to “Save Medlyn Farm.” The fifth-generation farm in Stony Creek is being infiltrated by salt water due to aging and altered flood controls.
A town-wide holiday gift wrapping recycling initiative started in 2013 continues for a third year and has succeeded in spreading next door to the town of North Branford.
After withdrawing an application to renovate and expand Parkside Village I, BHA puts out word that other sites will be considered to immediately address the need at Parkside I.
By majority RTM vote on Dec. 14, Branford becomes the eighth town in the state to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the storage, disposal, or treatment of hazardous fracking waste.
With a unanimous RTM vote on Dec. 14, Branford clears the final hurdle toward the town’s first combined Community/Senior Center and will appropriate bonding for the $12.1 million project.
After two years of planning and two successful seasons, non-profit Branford Alps Farmers Market board announces it is terminating the June to October market at 17 Alps Road and will not return next year.