January

On Jan. 3, newly retired Judge Frank Forgione administers the oath of office to Charles E. Tiernan III as the new Judge of Probate for the 35th District of Branford-North Branford.

Senator Christine Cohen (D, 12) introduces a bill for state legislation that will ensure that Connecticut’s veterans’ graves receive proper care.

At its Jan. 3 meeting, the Town Council meets North Branford’s new Town Planner, David Perkins, on his first day on the job. The council also receives welcome updates on the new high school and police department construction projects and approves town buildings and sites, which will now begin to receive an equal share of approximately $100,000 in annual energy cost savings generated by the newly-online Citrine solar installation on Forest Road.

During the next three years, North Branford’s teachers will receive annual salary increases of approximately 3.5% per year, adding up to the district’s highest contractual teacher salary increases in more than a decade. That’s one of the results of the newly approved 2023-’26 contract between the North Branford Board of Education (BOE) and the North Branford Federation of Teachers (AFT Local 3869).

Led by State Representative and House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R, 86) of North Branford, on Jan. 24, Connecticut House Republicans unveil caucus proposals aimed at creating a safer environment surrounding the recreational use and retail sale of cannabis.

During a Jan. 31 workshop, the Town Council approves allocations for spending $1.6 million of the town’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

February

Faced with district needs, rising costs, a diminishing special savings fund, and sun-setting grants, the BOE votes unanimously to recommend a 2023-'24 schools operating budget of $35,653,355 and a capital budget of $936,500. The operating budget represents an annual increase of $2,917,641 or 8.913%.

On Feb. 27, local, state, and federal officials take up ceremonial shovels with the North Branford Police Department (NBPD) to help celebrate a long-awaited groundbreaking for a new police facility and emergency operations center at 305 Forest Road. The $14 million police department project will receive $4.5 million in state funding and $1 million in federal EOC grant monies and is expected to be completed in 14 months.

March

The Town Council is reviewing a proposed $62.91 million 2023-’24 Town of North Branford budget with an annual increase of 9.4%, or $4.20 million.

In a farm field beside Forest Road that’s been converted to a sleek solar array, Town leaders are joined by the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce and members of Altus Power America Management for a March 16 ribbon cutting celebrating the clean energy initiative.

After several years of enjoying diminishing debt service costs, those costs will be swinging upwards to help service debt for several new, large-scale projects now underway in North Branford. However, many recent positives for the Town help balance that news. Finance Director Anthony Esposito shares the overview at the annual State of the Town.

April

The wow factor is in full effect as community members tour the new North Branford High School (NBHS) three-story academic building shortly after the end of its first day filled with students on April 17. The new high school academic building marks the completion of Phase One of the Town’s new high school construction project. The remainder of the former high school building, first constructed in 1964, will be demolished to make way for Phase Two construction to complete the project.

At the invitation of the Town Council, representatives of the Town of East Haven and its animal control and shelter program outline services that could be provided to North Branford should the council decide to enter into a municipal use agreement in which East Haven would provide shelter facility and animal control services to North Branford. The Town of Branford has provided the services to North Branford since 2005.

NBPD has formed a community partnership with resident Ashley McClain, founder of LINKED-Autism Safety Project. McClain’s project, which she hopes to spread statewide, is linking first responder emergency preparedness with the important family issue of safe and effective assistance to loved ones on the Autism spectrum. Residents can register for the North Branford Autism Alert System. As part of the program, NBPD officers will also be equipped with a sensory pack in every patrol car.

The Town Council’s recommended 2023-’24 Town budget of $59,874,502 heads to the annual budget question referendum vote, set for May 9. North Branford voters can register their approval or disapproval of the bottom line; however, a 15% turnout is required to have the results of the vote be actionable by the council.

May

The newly renovated and expanded Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter celebrates its grand opening on May 8 in Branford. The new shelter also serves North Branford.

On May 9, Sen. Cohen votes for legislation that will ensure that veterans’ graves receive proper care, a bill she introduced in January.

As the annual budget referendum question vote turnout does not meet the 15% required to have the results be actionable by the Town Council, the council’s recommended 2023-’24 Town budget of $59,874,502 is passed.

North Branford Land Conservation Trust (NBLCT) celebrates successfully landing a $385,450 state grant for its Beech and Pomps project. Planned for land to be purchased from the Regional Water Authority, the passive recreation project includes two forested watershed parcels totaling 37 acres, including 17.6 acres on the west side of Beech Street and 19.4 acres on the north side of Pomps Lane. The land purchase is hailed as a rare opportunity to preserve valuable woodlands that not long ago were destined to be a subdivision. Additional funds for the $593,000 purchase price were raised by pledges from two donors totaling $193,000 and NBLCT’s commitment to contribute $50,000.

The Town Council votes unanimously to establish a Town Blueprint Committee. The committee’s purpose is to evaluate previous town land use studies, develop a scope for the future land use study requested by the council, and recommend a plan for the comprehensive use of all town properties to the council.

A 15-year-old North Branford teenager is the victim of a May 23 fatal assault with a knife outside of an East Haven elementary school after school hours. The teen later succumbed to his injuries at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he was transported from the scene of the incident. Police are investigating the crime.

North Branford’s annual Memorial Day Parade is held May 29 in the North Branford section of town.

North Branford fire companies and police respond to the scene of a massive structure fire that destroys a large, free-standing garage at 658 Forest Road on May 30.

June

As the only graduating class to begin their senior year in the former high school building and complete it in the new academic facility, the NBHS Class of 2023 is recognized for its place in history at commencement on June 9.

North Branford Fire Department (NBFD) says response to a fire at a Wilford Road home on June 20 involved quick action by the first crew entering the structure to isolate the main fire by shutting it in with a bedroom door until the first hose handline could be laid, is a perfect example of an important maxim for residents: “close before you doze.”

On June 21, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) undertakes a one-day Connecticut Connectivity Road Safety Audit (RSA) of the Route 22/Route 17 intersecting areas of the Northford Village center.

A $5 million allocation from the State Bond Commission will help BHcare, Inc. centralize many of its services for adults and children under one roof at a new facility to be constructed in North Branford on Route 139.

July

Launching July 13, the South-Central Regional Traffic Squad, comprised of Branford, East Haven, Guilford, North Branford, North Haven, and Madison Police Departments, will commence its summer enforcement campaign.

CT Department of Public Health is reporting a July spike in crack cocaine and cocaine-related overdoses in the city of New Haven and surrounding towns, including North Branford.

After months of study and collaboration, the Town Council votes on July 18 to move the Town’s animal control services and shelter municipal agreement from Branford to East Haven.

Due to heavy rains, swimming is closed for several days at North Branford association lakes and monitored by the East Shore District Health Department (ESDHD), per water quality testing.

August

Potato and Corn Festival (PoCo) co-coordinators and North Branford Parks and Recreation Department deliver an exciting 21st PoCo to North Branford from Aug. 4 through Aug. 6.

On Aug. 17, North Branford state and local leaders and law enforcement representatives sign a ceremonial topping off steel beam at the new police facility and Emergency Operations Center, scheduled to be completed in July 2024.

On Aug. 4, East Haven police arrest a juvenile in connection to the May 23 fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old North Branford resident, Dustin Cecarelli, on the grounds of East Haven’s Tuttle Elementary School. The arrested juvenile, 15, is charged with manslaughter in the first degree and assault in the first degree.

Some notable moments highlight the start of the new school year on Aug. 30. Among them is the entrance of the NBHS Class of 2027, the first 9th graders to start their school year at the new NBHS academic building who will also be the first class to graduate after four years in the new facility. The school year began at North Branford Intermediate School (NBIS) with staff, students, and families welcoming a familiar face, NBPS administrator Carter Welch, Ed.D., to the new role of interim principal.

September

Sept. 1 begins the new municipal agreement between the Towns of North Branford and East Haven, in which East Haven will provide Animal Control services to North Branford. The new agreement sets the cost of services to North Branford at $135,000 annually for the first two years, then increases by 4% annually. It also stipulates an agreement between the two towns to review call volume to North Branford after the first year of the agreement. As a service-only contract, there is no obligation for North Branford to assume any costs or percentage costs associated with the East Haven shelter facility’s future improvements or expansion.

On Sept. 15, National POW-MIA Day, local leaders join in remembering North Branford’s only missing in action (MIA) casualty, Army Sgt. 1st Class James Edward Creamer, who went MIA in Vietnam on April 21, 1968.

The Town Council unanimously votes to renew North Branford’s Tax Abatement Program for new businesses. The program establishes a rehabilitation zone within the Town of North Branford under state statute. It freezes the tax assessment for a development project and, upon completion, any increase in tax revenue is deferred, and the value of the increase is phased in over a five-year period at 20% per year.

A view of North Branford’s incumbent-heavy sample ballot for the upcoming Nov. 7 municipal election lists the same current political makeup and nearly exactly the same membership that will comprise the next nine-member Town Council. Six incumbent Republican Town Council candidates, joined by two incumbent Democrats and one new Democratic candidate, complete the nine candidates on the election ballot. The council’s uncontested 2023 election will result in the same Republican majority makeup for another two-year term. Based on the most votes received, the election will also determine North Branford’s next mayor and deputy mayor among all 2023 Town Council candidates. Currently, North Branford’s GOP-majority council is led by Mayor Jeffrey Macmillen (R) and Deputy Mayor Thomas Zampano (R). Electors will also vote to fill three seats on the BOE, choosing among three Democratic candidates and one Republican in the race. The BOE uses staggered terms to maintain its seven-person board.

October

On Oct. 8, police search the area after a suspect fires a shot from an evading vehicle following a resident interrupting an attempted car theft at his Northford home. A passenger in the fleeing vehicle fired at least one round from a handgun at the homeowner, who was not struck and did not suffer any injuries.

Following an uptick in criminal activity in North Branford, including a recent daylight car theft attempt where a perpetrator fired a shot at a resident, the Town Council unanimously passes a bipartisan resolution urging action by the governor and Connecticut General Assembly on numerous criminal justice and public safety issues.

The Town Council creates a new Veterans Services Commission. It will create, oversee, and support events commemorating veterans in the community and their service to the nation, initiate a Purple Heart Community designation for the Town, and create a North Branford Veterans Hall of Fame.

North Branford Chief of Police Kevin Halloran announces he will retire on April 30, 2024, upon completing five years of police leadership for the Town and over 35 years in policing. Among many accomplishments during his North Branford tenure, Halloran helped usher in the new, state-of-the-art police facility and emergency operations center under construction at 305 Forest Road.

November

NBPD is awarded a $500,000 grant from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). With its current complement of 23 officers, the grant will make a substantial impact on NBPD’s ability to enhance public safety and strengthen its commitment to community-oriented policing.

The NBHS Technology Department is named Connecticut Technology and Engineering Program of the Year by the Connecticut Technology Engineering Education Association.

Voters have selected long-serving Republican Town Council incumbent Rose Marie Angeloni as the town’s new mayor for the 2023-’25 term. Jeffrey Macmillen (R) is elected deputy mayor. Angeloni has served consecutive terms on the Town Council since her first elective win in 2009, including serving as Deputy Mayor in the 2017-’19 term. Nov. 7 voter turnout was 24.2%, with 2,275 of the town’s 9,389 registered voters coming to the three district polling sites.

A Nov. 12 recanvass, needed due to a close vote on Nov. 7 between two BOE candidates, determines the seat is won by Democratic candidate Victoria Lanza over closely following Democratic candidate Jana Balsamo. In addition to Lanza, the two additional open BOE seats on the Nov. 7 ballot are filled by candidates Kim Dawson (R) and Judy Bannon (D).

North Branford Police arrest Arnaldo Silva, 51, on a warrant on charges related to Cruelty to Animals and Threatening 2nd degree, after NBPD responded to an incident at his Northford home on Nov. 13. A two-year-old bulldog, deceased, and a bloody kitchen knife in the dog kennel were found by police at the Northford scene.

At their first meeting of the new 2023-’25 term, the Town Council approves making several key investments in public safety utilizing unallocated ARPA funds. The council authorizes an amount not to exceed $275,000 to procure active shooter kits for officers, including protective body armor and helmets, state-of-the-art license plate readers that will allow quick tracking of vehicles passing through town that have been reported stolen, two Traffic Logix radar feedback signs that show rate of speed and collect motorist data, an upgrade of 30 new handguns, and a Dodge Durango K-9 vehicle.

Community and state leaders join Haynes Development to break ground on the Connecticut Health and Wellness Center. BHcare’s new 48,000-square-foot shoreline facility is a key component of the project, which features two buildings of dedicated medical space. The construction site is located at 28 North Branford Road/Route 139 in North Branford.

December

Following an earlier cancellation due to weather, North Branford holds its annual Town Tree Lighting event at the Augur Property on Dec. 8.

NBLCT is awarded a $5,000 grant from the Athletic Brewing Company’s 2023 “Two for the Trails“ Grant Program. Funds will be used to make a portion of the parking lot and trail at the soon-to-be-acquired Beech and Pomps property compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It will become North Branford’s first ADA trail.

NBPD announces the activation of its cutting-edge radio system, a significant step in enhancing public safety communication within the town and across the state.

With the addition of two recruit officers, NBPD marks the first expansion of the force in over 22 years.