Diana Stricker Photo
The selectmen filled a vacancy on the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission Wednesday night, but not without controversy.
Concerns were raised by Third Selectman Bruce Storm; and by Chris Sullivan, the Democratic minority leader of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).
The selectman unanimously approved the appointment of Paul Higgins Jr. as an alternate to the P&Z, replacing Marci Palluzzi who stepped up to full membership. The P&Z commission is comprised of five full-time members and three alternates.
Prior to voting in favor of the candidate, Storm said that Higgins’ resume “appears to have a lot of skills for the Board of Finance,” but he was concerned that he didn’t seem to have any background in planning or zoning issues.
“I know there are others who expressed interest in the position,” said Storm, the sole Democrat on the BOS.
First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove said Higgins, a Democrat, had an impressive resume and said that it is important to choose members “who can look at things objectively.”
Cosgrove said he felt confident that Higgins would be able to learn the zoning regulations.
Sullivan then spoke up and said he echoed Storm’s concerns. He said another candidate, Brian Ameche, an architect, had 15 years experience on the P&Z commission in Durham. Sullivan told the BOS that while Ameche was on the Durham P & Z, he helped rewrite the town’s Plan of Development, worked on a traffic study of Main Street, and helped devise a master plan for renovation of town-owned buildings.
“I’m disappointed he’s not the name being put forth,” Sullivan told Cosgrove. “I wish you would reconsider.”
“I interviewed a couple candidates,” Cosgrove said. “I have to go with who I feel the most comfortable with in that capacity.”
Higgins, a 1972 graduate of Fairfield University, has an extensive background working in the insurance and risk-management industries. He is currently employed by Aon Risk Services of CT Inc. According to his resume, Higgins has experience working with Fortune 1000 companies, and has marketing and management skills.
Following the meeting, Sullivan told the Eagle that the Democratic Town Committee submitted Ameche’s name to the first selectman in January.
Elderly Services Appointee
The BOS unanimously appointed Patricia Brownell to fill a vacancy on the Commission on Elderly Services. She will replace Jacqueline Cohen, who died in March. In addition to serving on the commission, Cohen was a long-time member of the Canoe Brook Senior Center.
Brownell served as the director of nursing at Branford Hills Health Care Center from 1980 until 2013. She was a 1962 graduate of St. Raphael Hospital School of Nursing, and also has a degree in gerontology.
Charter Revision?
Would a five-member Board of Selectmen (BOS) be more effective than Branford’s traditional three-member board?
That’s one of the questions that could be deliberated if a Charter Revision Commission is created.
Sullivan asked the selectmen Wednesday if they would consider establishing a Charter Revision Commission. Sullivan said the issue was raised at a meeting Tuesday of the RTM’s Rules and Ordinance Committee.
Sullivan said the commission could look at a number of issues, including increasing the number of selectmen. He said with only three members, it is impossible for two selectmen to talk except during an official meeting, because two members create a quorum and it would constitute an illegal meeting under the Freedom of Information Act. Sullivan said having five members would “help with the effectiveness and efficiency of government.”
Sullivan said other issues could also be discussed by the commission, such as whether positions like the town clerk and tax collector should be appointed rather than elected.
Cosgrove said he will look into the possibility of creating a Charter Revision Commission.
“I agree there are some things that ought to be changed,” Cosgrove said.
Guilford is one area town that increased the number of selectmen to five.
New Fire Truck
Earlier in the meeting, the BOS unanimously approved a request from Acting Fire Chief Shaun Heffernan to trade in a 1988 fire truck that has been in storage, and purchase a new fire engine.
Heffernan said he was able to negotiate a “phenomenal deal” for the new truck at $486,715. “This is within our budgeted amount,” he said.
Heffernan said the new truck will replace a 2005 model that typically responds to 1,700 emergency calls a year.
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