New Haven Independent

He comes aboard with a legislative body —-the Representative Town Meeting —-firmly on his side. Of the 30 RTM members elected two weeks ago, 21 are Democrats and nine are Republicans. Four RTM Democrats supported outgoing First Selectwoman Cheryl Morris who ran as an Independent.

The new RTM, sworn in last night, elected Sandra Reiners as Moderator and Dennis Flanagan as clerk. Anthony Giardiello became the Democratic Majority Leader and Frank Twohill, the Republican Minority Leader. In contrast to Morris, DaRos told the RTM he found working with them to be “quite enjoyable and very rewarding,” and he was looking forward to doing it again. DaRos, 65, held the First Selectman’s post from 1997 to 2003.

Earlier in the day, standing before some 100 supporters in the reading room of the Blackstone Library, DaRos said today marked “a new day for Branford,” and with that he introduced the town’s new attorney, William Clendenen, Jr., who stood six deep with others in the back of the room, in order to be part of the morning event.

Clendenen, of Clendenen & Shea, L.L.C in New Haven, is known as a dynamic lawyer, one who takes on difficult cases. He is known for getting what he goes for. He also has the strategic skills and ability to handle or oversee a high stakes case. He has served as a special master.

DaRos said the fight had already started.

“We have our work cut out for us. But the vision is clear. You are all aware that the town faces some very tough challenges right now,” he said referring to the $12.8 million jury verdict. “I won’t sugarcoat it. We’ve got a battle on our hands. And I want you to know that we are already on it and we plan to work non-stop and to wage a fierce fight to protect our town. And that’s my personal promise to you.


Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut Attorney General and Nancy Wyman, the State Comptroller, swore in a group of newly elected officials, including Second Selectman, Fran Walsh. They stood in front of the fireplace, with a fire roaring behind them, in the lovely great room of the library.

In the audience were smiling campaign supporters, RTM members, a host of town employees, members of the Board of Finance, including its chair, Joseph Mooney, who opened the ceremony. Other elected officials included Carl Balestracci, Jr., Guilford’s First Selectman and State Rep. Pat Widlitz, who serves both Guilford and Branford. Her counterpart in Branford, State Rep. Peter Panaroni, missed the event.

Before the swearing-in began, Blumenthal gave a short talk, saying today’s occasion “has very special meaning for me. I have worked with this team, Unk and Fran, and particularly Unk on various battles over the past years, many of them environmental and many of you have been involved in them as allies and partners. And I just wanted to thank you for your continuing dedication to keep Branford the wonderful community it is, to preserve Long Island Sound, the great treasure that it is, to continue to fight against Islander East and Broadwater and any of the other dangerous encroachments on those treasures, and to preserve our environment and this great community.”

Blumenthal said he felt very close to Branford and he indicated he may well have been following the Granite-gate fiasco that put outgoing Town Attorney Ed Marcus at the heart of a conflict involving possible misuse of police power to investigate DaRos’s granite purchases.

“I just want to say about Unk that very often you are tested when we confront forces that may seem insuperable. And Unk has been there. He has perservered…he wants to build , not tear down. He wants to bring open, transparent government to Branford,” one that he said could serve as “a model for the state of Connecticut. So I am very proud to be here for the swearing-in of someone who will bring us all together….

“This is what makes democracy. Citizen participation is what makes democracy. This campaign, this day is really a picture of citizen action.” Applause filled the room.

DaRos, too, said au revoir to back street politics.

“I will make another promise: we will never forget who we work for. We work for the people; we work for you. The one and only message is to do what is right and what is best. That means no hidden agendas, no self-serving backroom deals, no abuse of power, no cronyism and no bullying. As they say, this is a new day. From this day forward the town hall is open for business, the people’s business. The lights are on. The doors are open and the citizens are invited in and urged to participate. We need your input, your knowhow, your dedication, your energy. We all need to join forces and work together to get our town back on track.”

DaRos gave no new details about Tabor. One of the town’s outside law firm’s, Updike, Kelly & Spellacy has filed court papers seeking to set aside the verdict. If that fails, and the trial judge, William T.Cremins, Jr., will decide, then the case is expected to be appealed to the Appellate court. David Reif, who attended the swearing-in, is handling a separate case, the Tabor valuation case. Judge Cremins set the price of the 77-acre Tabor property at $4.6 million, making the assumption that New England Estates, the developers, would eventually succeed in obtaining Planning and Zoning approvals.

DaRos held the ceremony early in the morning so that he could get straight to work. He left the library with Walsh. In the rain they walked a few blocks to Town Hall.

By 10 a.m. DaRos was seen talking to outgoing Human Resources Director Cindy Coville. They stood in her office. The door was open.
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