New Haven Independent

DaRos, who served as Democratic first selectman from 1997 to 2003, and won a three-way race in 2007, was reelected by a 2-1 margin earlier this month. He enters his ninth year in office with the legislative body, the Representative Town Meeting, firmly on his side. The new RTM, like its predecessor term, has 21 elected Democrats and nine Republicans.

DaRos recalled that in 2007 his swearing-in took place in the same room of the Blackstone Library.

“Last time we had this early at 8 a.m. and we went right to work. There was a lot to do. There is still a lot to do.”

He spoke before some 80 people. The crowd included a Branford police color guard and a host of town employees, including Police Chief John DeCarlo, Fire Chief Jack Ahern, Town Attorney William T. Clendenen, Jr., Town Clerk Marianne Kelly and Tax Collector Joanne Cleary, both of whom won reelection to their posts. RTM members and campaign supporters were also on hand.

In 2007 DaRos spoke to two main themes — the fallout from a $12.4 million Tabor land verdict against the town and getting the town back on track. Over the last two years, the town has taken the Tabor case to the Connecticut Supreme Court and has filed lawsuits against former town counsel, The Marcus Law Firm and the town’s insurance carriers. The Tabor case was argued last May. The high court has not yet ruled.

This time he spoke of economics. He told the audience Branford was ahead of the curve despite the recession. He said new development is taking place along with the expansion of a number of stores, an indication of the commitment store owners have to the town. He said, however, that “as I stand here our homeless account is stretched,” referring to the funds the town has set to help those in need.

DaRos thanked Nancy Wyman, the State Comptroller and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal for coming to Branford so early in the day to swear him in. He added that he and fellow officials once decided that of all the jobs in the state, the one they thought was the most difficult was serving as Dick Blumenthal’s driver. The audience burst out laughing.

Blumenthal has been a frequent visitor to Branford. He likes to participate in the annual January plunge into the Sound at Branford Point and he promised to return for the 2010 event. He praised Branford’s three top state legislators, including State Sen. Ed Meyer, who has joined him in the plunge. Branford, he said, as the state legislators listened, was fortunate to have such fine elected officials: Meyer, Rep. Lonnie Reed and Rep. Pat Widlitz. “They are just superb and remarkable among all the towns” in the state, he said.

He again praised the town’s leaders for their long-term fight to preserve Long Island Sound. Branford led the Islander East and Broadwater battles and Blumenthal was at the town’s legal side, taking and winning these cases.

Blumenthal, one of DaRos’s most ardent supporters, told the audience: “What he says to you is what he will do. And there is no hedging. Sometimes I’m sure folks might wish he hedged a little.” The audience laughed.

He said DaRos gives local officials statewide a good name and that he attracts quality people. “I want to thank him on behalf of the state of Connecticut. and all who supported him. He couldn’t do it alone. Thank you for making it possible for him to serve with such distinction.”

Blumenthal and Wyman swore in DaRos, Second Selectman Fran Walsh, two new Board of Education members, Susan Wharfe and Mario Sabatini and two constables, Alpha E. Coiro and Nancy G. Gaylord. There was a standing ovation for all. The ceremony was over by 8:30 a.m.

DaRos and Walsh left smiling. “We have done a lot. We have a ways to go and we are looking forward to doing it,” DaRos told the Eagle as he left the library to walk the few blocks to Town Hall.

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