Utilizing the agenda’s public comments at the January 17 meeting of Branford’s Board of Selectmen (BOS), residents rose to question items including the decision to expense the mailing of a second tax bill to property owners in December, and whether the BOS decision in December to change its 2024 meeting times to 4:30 p.m. reduces accessiblity to the public.

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove addressed the public comments on behalf of the BOS during the meeting. The meeting, held at Branford Fire Headquarters, 45 North Main Street, was also live streamed and recorded by Branford Community Television (BCTV).

Resident Carl Dawson asked Cosgrove why the Town had recently footed the extra cost to mail out notifications in December regarding property tax payments due in January, when the usual first mailing with two tax bills (one due in July and one due in January) had been mailed out in in June of 2023.

Cosgrove said he’s heard the question from other residents, as well. He responded the Tax Collector had implemented a second mailing to see if it would improve collection rates for January payments, which is “...typically where the Town sees a fall-off,” Cosgrove said.

“The town historically has generated a bill that has two payments, July 1 and January 1, that goes out the end of June,” said Cosgrove. “The Tax Collector felt perhaps generating a second bill [would] test to see if that improves the collection come January.”

Moving forward, other options may be considered by the Tax Collector to help remind taxpayers of the second payment, Cosgrove added.

“He does think it’s important that the Town does a robust effort,” said Cosgrove.

The second tax bills were mailed out on December 1, 2023 and payments were due January 1, 2024 (payable without penalty through February 1, 2024). All taxes paid after February 1, 2024 are subject to interest at a rate of 1.5% per month, retroactive to January 1, 2024.

Also during public comments at the Jan. 17 BOS meeting, a resident, Dan Hally, questioned the BOS as to whether the earlier BOS meeting time of 4:30 p.m. creates difficulty for the public to attend. In December 2023, the BOS moved to change its regular meeting times from 5 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and adopted a 2024 regular BOS meeting schedule with a 4:30 p.m. meeting start time.

“There's a lot of working people who cannot attend this meeting because they have obligations at work,” said Hally. “More public input only helps you do your job better.”

Noting he is now in his sixth term as First Selectman, Cosgrove said the number of members of public in attendance at the Jan. 17 BOS meeting was “...far greater than the overwhelming majority” usually attending past BOS meetings during his tenure.

BOS meetings were held at 5 p.m. in 2023 and 2022, and held at 6 p.m. in prior years.

“We always welcome public participation. It's not just limited to a meeting. My office is always open,” said Cosgrove. “Myself and the other selectmen will make themselves available to any resident if there's any issues to be addressed.”

Cosgrove said the new schedule was adopted by the BOS because “there was not historically public participation” at other hours; and also to provide a meeting time when Town staff, who represent the majority of items presented at BOS meetings, are available.

Speaking to the BOS at a later point in public comments, another resident, Tracy Everson, who is also RTM majority leader (D, District 5), echoed Hally’s question. Everson suggested the BOS change the meeting time back to 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.

“I realize that public participation in person may not be here in the room, but I think it's important for the public to have that opportunity,” said Everson. “The RTM meets at 8 p.m. The Board of Finance meets at 7:30 p.m. The Board of Selectmen is an important part of government. I’ve been at these meetings, I know what the audience participation is like. However, I think it’s part of good government to make it accessible, with a time change back to 5 or even 6.”

Everson also suggested the BOS consider distributing its meeting agendas further in advance of a meeting, to provide the public with more opportunity for review and to plan to participate, if desired. She noted the RTM agenda is available generally seven days ahead of meetings.

Town meeting agendas are required to be published 24 hours in advance of a public meeting.

“I would like to see the Board of Selectmen do perhaps at least 48 hours, to give people more time,” said Everson.

The BOS also heard concerns about chronic flooding in Waverly Park, and was asked to consider the implications of having a member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) serving as Republican Deputy Registrar of Voters. The full BOS meeting can be view at BCTV on Facebook.