New Haven Independent

“I am totally against this proposal which would desecrate our Town Green,” said Louise Kenney (pictured) during a public hearing Monday night. She claimed the work would alter the natural contours of the land. “I am not against progress, but we should first and foremost protect Branford history.”

Kenney, a longtime member of the Branford Garden Club, urged residents to contact members of the Representative Town Meeting regarding the proposals. Flyers with a listing of RTM members were handed out by concerned citizens prior to the meeting.

About 120 people gathered at the Blackstone Memorial Library to listen to the revised concept plans. This is the second public hearing on the issue.

“We want to restore the Green to an earlier time,” said David Sousa, an engineer with the nationally known firm of Clough Harbour and Associates. He outlined proposals to improve vehicular and pedestrian access while giving the appearance of more green space. The configurations of Town Hall Drive, Blackstone Avenue and Taintor Street would be changed; a sidewalk would be added along South Main Street; two trees would be lost; and retaining walls would be built on the Green.

But which earlier time seems to be the issue.

According to the Branford Historical Society’s Web site, New England town commons were transformed into Greens beginning in about 1790 when trees were planted in a beautification effort. After the Civil War, there was a movement to use the Greens to celebrate national and civic pride. Major changes to the Branford Green resulted from hurricanes that uprooted trees.

But the greatest change came by the mid 1940’s with the rise of the automobile. The automobile led to the Green’s bisection in Branford and in other New England towns. The Green was also reduced for the widening of Main, Montowese and South Main Streets and the expansion of Town Hall and the churches.

This is the second concept plan given a public hearing in recent months. The first set of plans were made public in March. The public wasn’t happy. The plans were revised again. Even with revisions, Sousa said the newest plan results in slightly less green space. He said existing paved areas now comprise 21 percent of the Green, but the proposals would increase that to a total of 21.6 percent.

“We are not providing more green space,” Sousa said, but added, “We believe the impact visually is that there is a great increase in green space.”

Many residents who spoke at the hearing disagreed.

Jane Bouley, the town historian, said it doesn’t make sense to spend money on the project if green space is decreased.

“I personally like the entrance to the Green the way it is now,” she told officials. She also objected to the addition of retaining walls, and the fact that parking spaces would be closer to the Civil War monument. “That will take away from the grandeur.”

She received hearty applause when she said changes to the Green should be decided at the voting booth.

Bill Davis, a member and past president of the Branford Historical Society, also rejected the plan. “Over the last five to 10 years, we have witnessed encroachment of historic districts,” he said.

“We like it the way it is and we don’t want to spend any money,” said George Ahern, adding that the only change he liked was back in the 1930’s when watering troughs for horses were removed from the Green.

Ahern jokingly suggested that drive-through windows could be added at Town Hall and the churches on the Green to make the buildings more accessible.

Earl Lind spoke on behalf of the First Congregational Church, which co-owns the Green along with the town. He said the proposed traffic patterns and parking areas would be less convenient for church members. Lind said there are some good aspects of the revised plan, but “it needs to be pursued further and it needs some refinement.”

First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos said he anticipated a lively turnout. “A little bit of spirit, that’s the way to get things done.”

DaRos said any proposal would have to wait until grant money is available, but that he wants to have a workable plan ready. “I’m asking for a consensus of what we could do with the Green,” he said. “I would like to see a plan sit on the shelf” until funding is available.

Otty Norwood, who chairs of the Town Center Revitalization Review Board, said it is vitally important to have a long range plan.

“This is an issue to protect and save the Green,” he said. “We generally support this idea but we have some questions.” Norwood said he was not sure that a sidewalk along South Main is necessary.

“The town really does need a plan,” said Julie Francis, who owns the Sound Runner store on Main Street. “The most important thing we should be paying attention to is safety.”

She said traffic around the Green is problematic and that pedestrians often have difficulty crossing streets. She said she just witnessed an accident in the area earlier that day.

Francis read a letter from Peter Indeck, manager of the Arabella clothing store on Main Street. He urged people to “support and endorse” the plan.

Indeck, who chairs the Town Center Merchants Association, also wrote, “We look forward to working with the town to ensure the Green remains the heart of Branford.”

Norbert Church, a member of the Town Center Revitalization Review Board, said he approves of the plan and likes the addition of a sidewalk on South Main. “It will make the Green even more pedestrian-friendly.”

Following the hearing, Town Planner Shirley Rasmussen said the future of the concept plan is uncertain. “We’re just going to wait and see. But we have a lot more ideas now.”

Talks about the Green have been ongoing for more than 25 years. The current study expanded on ideas from the 1983 Town Center Revitalization Plan, the 2007 Yale Urban Design Workshop Study, and the 2008 Main Street Gateway Study.

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