New Haven Independent

First let’s set the scene.
The date is Friday, April 28, 2006.
The time: 4:30 p.m.
The Place: the office of Branford Town Selectwoman Cheryl Morris. She is the town’s top elected official; a meeting in her office signifies the importance of the matter. It also sends a signal that she has approved it though she may not have known about it.
The purpose: A meeting between Ed Marcus, former state Democratic Party chairman, artful lawyer and current town counsel of Branford, and Detective Duncan Ayr who had been summoned to meet him.
Absent: Mrs. Morris and Michael Milici, current assessor of East Haven, per diem assessor of Branford, former chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, current finance director of the party, close associate of Marcus.
The object: A police investigation into whether Anthony “Unk” DaRos (pictured), who occupied the First Selectman’s office from 1997 to 2003, and is a mason by trade, had somehow been enriching himself with Stony Creek granite from the quarry nearby.
The History: A deep division within the Branford Democratic Party. The incumbent Branford Democrats (including Morris and the controversial Marcus, whom she brought back in as town attorney) recently lost the leadership of their own party; replaced by Unk and others who are now in charge.
Here is what the police report says, in the words of Detective Ayr:
“On 4/28/06, Town Counsel Edward Marcus requested that I meet with him at the Town Hall. At approximately 4:30 p.m. on that date I met with Mr. Marcus in the office of the First Selectman. Mr. Marcus showed me a collection of photographs which he had acquired, which were taken of an address, subsequently determined to be 86 Thimble Island Road, Branford. Eight-six thimble Island Road is the location of the garages and workshop for DaRos Company, Inc., Marine Construction.
“Mr. Marcus explained that the photographs were taken by a private investigator at the request of a Michael Milici. The photographs were then turned over to Mr. Marcus. The photographs depicted a driveway, a pile of what appeared to be granite blocks and a boat on a trailer. Mr. Marcus knew and told me that this address was that of the DaRos Company, Inc. Mr. Marcus stated that this granite most likely came from the Stony Creek Granite Company, which, to his knowledge, is the only granite quarry in the State of Connecticut.
“Mr. Marcus did not allege any impropriety with respect to this granite being on the property at the DaRos Company, Inc.; however, requested that I inquire about receipts for their purchase. Mr. Marcus stated that the Town of Branford is entitled to royalties for granite sold from the Stony Creek Quarry.
“On 5/1/06, during the afternoon hours, I met with Anthony DaRos, the proprietor of DaRos Company, Inc., Marine Construction. I explained to Mr. DaRos the investigation and concerns of Mr. Marcus regarding this pile of Granite and Mr. DaRos offered to provide me a tour of the property at that address. Most of the granite seen in the photographs was old granite in storage at this address, having been removed from prior construction jobs by the DaRos Company, Inc., and examination of same seemed to support that. There were several other newer granite blocks, which Mr. DaRos stated that he had purchased from a company called Brooks Brothers, located in Portland, Connecticut. Brooks Brother does ‘finish’ work on granite for the customer.”
Note: Mr. DaRos provided receipts for his purchases.