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Marcia Chambers | Sep 15, 2017 7:22 am
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Bill O’Brien Photo
Remember Sept. 11, 2001, after the planes crashed into the Twin Towers in Manhattan when you started calling to find out if family and friends were okay?
Bill O’Brien Photo
Fire Chief Tom Mahoney
Angie Higgins (top photo), the wife of Joe E. Higgins, Jr., now the town’s second selectman, but then a special assistant to the New York City fire commissioner, remembers her every action that day. On this 9/11, she told a compelling story to a rapt audience at Branford’s 9/11 commemoration at Fire Headquarters.
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 14, 2017 7:35 am
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Sally E. Bahner Photo
The Public Building Commission (pictured) heard a Walsh update and discussed a list of value engineering (cost cutting) items for the $12.1 million Community House/Senior Center project at its meeting Monday at Fire Headquarters.
Scott Pellman of Colliers International, owner’s representative, said they were working toward the abatement of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenals) at Walsh, which were found to be slightly elevated in the pool and gym areas and a possible hazard to children 12 and under. Langan Engineering is handling the abatement and retesting will be done afterwards, conforming to state and federal regulations. The cost is expected to be $18,300, which is already in the budget.
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 13, 2017 8:38 am
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The CT Mirror
In his August state budget proposal, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy gave Branford zero ECS funding for its public schools. This month the governor changed that, giving the town in his latest budget proposal $1.639 million. That’s up over zero but down by $572,506 or 25.9 percent over the 2017 distribution of $2.211.8 million to the town’s school system.
Still, other towns fared worse. Guilford and Madison were still getting zero ECS funding from the state in the governor’s September redo. Click here to read an interactive CT Mirror story on the impact of Malloy’s latest budget proposal on the state’s towns and cities.
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 12, 2017 9:00 am
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Bill O’Brien Photo
Like prehistoric monsters, excavators have been eating away at the old Atlantic Wire plant. Bill O’Brien has been documenting the process, which should be completed soon.
Bill O’Brien Photo
The factory once dominated Meadow Street. Now, only a small section remains.
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 12, 2017 8:05 am
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Diana Stricker Photo
Alex Palluzzi, Jr. and Shaun Heffernan with plans.
The Town of Branford has come up with a plan to provide safer access and more parking at the Sliney ballfields by extending Melrose Avenue. This could incidentally create an opportunity for emergency access to the rear of the proposed Parkside 1 housing complex.
Alex Palluzzi Jr., director of Parks and Recreation, outlined plans at Thursday’s meeting of the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission.
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 11, 2017 7:27 am
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With Permission
The Housing Authority and the developer of the proposed Parkside Village affordable housing complex are hopeful this year’s revised plans will succeed. The project would replace the dilapidated buildings that house low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
“We’re very optimistic,” said Housing Authority chair Doug Denes at Wednesday night’s meeting, which was held at the Parkside 1 complex at 115 S. Montowese St.
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 10, 2017 9:00 am
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File Photo
Bob Imperato (pictured), a member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the prestigious Board of Finance (BOF).
The Board of Selectmen (BOS) unanimously approved the appointment Wednesday night. Imperato, a Republican, will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of long-time BOF member Ken Kaminsky. At last month’s BOF meeting, it was announced that Kaminsky was leaving due to illness.
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 9, 2017 8:20 am
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Bill O’Brien Photo
Mike flips a ball to a youngster in the stands.
Without a doubt, Branford’s Mike Olt has had an interesting career so far in baseball. From Little League teams to four outstanding years at Branford High School followed by three seasons at Division I UConn and being drafted as the 49th pick in the Major League Draft in 2010 by the Texas Rangers points to that being very true.
Bill O’Brien Photo
Mike was a four-year letter winner at Branford. He was an All SCC and All State player for three years and led the Hornets to the 2006 Class L State Championship under coach George Dummar. He holds the school’s hit record with 115 and the career batting average of .475., also led his American Legion team to both State and Regional Championships in 2005 and 2007 and was also the tournament’s MVP winner both years. Here Dummar thanks Mike on Senior Day.
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 8, 2017 9:10 am
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If all else fails, there’s music! The Branford Jazz Series entertained us throughout the summer and now it’s time for the long-standing Branford Folk Music Society to begin its season. The music continues with the sixth annual Young Musicians’ Showcase where kids can try out their talents. In addition, there are plenty of chances to get out and enjoy the beautiful late summer weather along the Branford River, enrich your mind, and pick up some bargains at the annual Friends of the Library Book Sale and Short Beach Union Church Tag Sale. Need help sleeping? There’s a discussion on that, too!
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 7, 2017 8:07 am
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Bill O’Brien Photo
Before the Town’s Recreation Department and the Community House, which is its headquarters, undergoes a major building renovation this year, the department honored family and friends for all they do for the town. The Konesky family donated a wheelchair swing at Foote Park. The cutting of the ribbon signifies the swing is ready to be used.
Bill O’Brien Photo
Colleagues in the department included Alex Palluzzi (left), Andrea Kenney, Dylan, Dale Izzo, and Joe Chandler.
And Dylan Palluzzi was recognized by the Recreation Board with a plaque, thanking him for 15 years of volunteering at the Community House in various capacities, including teen travel counselor, coach, and assisting with the town’s After School Program. (Full disclosure: The writer of this story is a member of the Rec Board.)
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 6, 2017 8:00 am
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“Fed Up” with the epidemic of opioid use in town and in the state a small group of concerned citizens gathered on the green last week for the first annual International Overdose Awareness Day.
The rally coincided with legislation signed on Thursday by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy designed to strengthen the state’s efforts in combating the opioid crisis.
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 5, 2017 7:59 am
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Diana Stricker Photo
P&Z and consultant Frank Fish, to right of Town Planner Harry Smith.
The area around the newly expanded Shoreline East Train Station could see the addition of an optional Overlay Zone for areas that are currently zoned industrial. The new designation could include residential or retail if the developer constructs flood-resilient buildings, sidewalks, and public access to the riverfront where possible.
“We see the Overlay as wise from the Branford viewpoint. We’re not for forcing anyone to use it —we’re giving them another option,” said Frank Fish, a founding principal of BFJ Planning of Stamford. The consulting firm is conducting a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) study of approximately a half-mile radius around the train station.
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 2, 2017 8:51 am
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Sally E. Bahner Photo
Public Building Commission
A. Secondino & Son Inc., a well-known Branford-based construction company, was the low bidder for the $12.1 million renovation of the Community House/Senior Center.
Tom Arcari, principal of Quisenberry Arcari Architects LLC, explained the details to the Public Building Commission at its meeting Wednesday night at Fire Headquarters.
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Marcia Chambers | Sep 1, 2017 8:00 am
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File Photo
Cool Events in the next couple of weeks or so have the Branford Green as a focus as well as the river and shore and the town’s iconic library. Labor Day weekend brings the ever-popular Short Beach Days (pictured) and a walk along the Greenway Trail with the Branford Land Trust. The popular Guilford Fair kicks off the fall agricultural season. The weather is blissfully cool (as well)… there will be plenty of time to hunker in within the coming months with books collected from the annual Friends of Blackstone Library book sale. Speaking of the shore, we’re thinking of those who have been displaced in Texas by Hurricane Harvey. We’re aware of our vulnerability here; we remember Sandy and Irene and the Texas disaster gives us pause to rethink our own plans.
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Marcia Chambers | Aug 31, 2017 8:38 am
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Bill O’Brien Photo
The demolition of Atlantic Wire has been underway since July, making way for a 7.5‑acre residential and commercial project, Atlantic Wharf, which was approved in January 2016.
Bill O’Brien Photo
The Atlantic Wire factory, which began operations in 1906, declared bankruptcy and closed in 2008 after being charged with federal crimes and state violations for polluting the Branford River. At that time, former Attorney General Richard Blumenthal called Atlantic Wire one of the worst polluters in the state. Here is the building prior to demolition.
