Branford Eagle

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Mattress Recycle Bill Passes

by marcia chambers | May 7, 2013 6:18 am

A mattress recycling bill that is expected to become the model for laws across the nation was overwhelmingly approved by the state House of Representatives late Thursday, nearly a year after it was shelved because it wound up on the other side of midnight on the last day of a legislative session.

As fate would have it, Rep. Pat Widlitz (pictured), D-Guilford and Branford, the major sponsor of the bill, said waiting a year may well have been a blessing because the additional year gave legislators and industry officials time to formulate a plan that others states are likely to adopt. 

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Marcus Slips By—For Now

by marcia chambers | Mar 4, 2013 9:30 am | Comments (1)

Will Attorney Shelley Marcus (pictured) be called as a witness in Branford’s malpractice case against the Marcus Law Firm, her law firm and the town’s former counsel? 

This was one of the many pointed questions posed by Republican state Rep. Rosa Rebimbas of Naugatuck as Marcus appeared before the legislature’s Judiciary Committee Friday to determine whether Marcus is qualified to be a Superior Court judge. 

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On Eve Of Hearings, Marcus Law Firm Makes A Filing

by marcia chambers | Feb 28, 2013 9:49 am

As former town counsel Shelley Marcus (pictured) prepares to address questions from the state legislature Friday on her fitness to be a state judge, her law firm has moved to try to end a contentious malpractice suit filed by the town of Branford against her law firm.

That suit was filed against the Marcus Law Firm in 2008. The firm has waited until now to file a motion to have the suit dismissed.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy recommended Shelley Marcus and 14 other nominees to positions on the state Superior Court bench late in January. All are expected to appear Friday in Hartford at a public confirmation hearing before the Judiciary Committee. The General Assembly must approve their judicial appointments. 

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In Branford, Malloy, Blumie Kick Off State Races

by marcia chambers | Aug 6, 2012 11:10 pm | Comments (4)

Governor Dannel P. Malloy and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal came to Branford Sunday to personally endorse and formally kick off the 2012 election campaigns of State Reps. Pat Widlitz and Lonnie Reed and State Sen. Ed Meyer. 

Speaking at a fundraiser on the porch of a private home on Linden Avenue, Malloy said of Meyer and Widlitz and Reed that “in the senator and these two reps you have fantastic people representing you in the legislature, the senate and house. Each one is unique, so very smart, and so very influential in different ways that I appreciate working with them every single day.”

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Knock Knock: Is It Painters? Or Feds?

by marcia chambers | Jun 5, 2012 9:15 am | Comments (3)

At 7 a.m., the doorbell rang at the home of state Rep. Pat Widlitz, co-chairwoman of the state General Assembly’s powerful Finance Committee.

She answered the door, still in her bathrobe and wearing slippers. She expected to find deck painters. Not the FBI.

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Pro-Animal Laws Pass

by Sally E. Bahner | Jun 4, 2012 9:56 am | Comments (2)

The just-ended session of the Connecticut General Assembly was characterized by bills that drew heavy media attention: education reform targeting low-performing teachers, repeal of the death penalty, the go-head for Sunday liquor sales, legalizing of marijuana for medical use and the passage of a cell tower bill.

Three bills benefiting Connecticut’s animals – one amending vouchers for spaying and neutering pets and mandating training for animal control officers; another strengthening the 2009 pet lemon law; and a third increases the penalties for multiple offenses of animal abuse—were also approved, flying somewhat under the radar. All were passed unanimously by the House, then by the Senate during the last minutes of the legislative session.

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Frantic Texts Save Law

by Diana Stricker | May 11, 2012 11:35 am | Comments (3)

Only minutes before the midnight deadline for the legislative year came to a close Wednesday, State Rep. Lonnie Reed’s cell tower bill was unanimously approved by the state Senate.

Reed (D-Branford) said the legislation, which updates the way the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) approves cell towers, is expected to be signed into law by the governor. The Assembly approved the bill unanimously in April. 

The legislation is particularly important to people in Branford who have seen an onslaught of cell tower proposals in their community in the past three years.

Reed told the Eagle yesterday that she was happy and relieved that the legislation will finally become a reality.

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Branford Dems Back Murphy

by marcia chambers | Apr 3, 2012 11:20 am

By a vote of 52-3, the Branford Democratic Town Committee (DTC) overwhelmingly endorsed U.S. Rep Chris Murphy (D- 5) for United States Senate last week. Three DTC members voted for former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz.  State Rep. William Tong received no votes.

The three candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Joseph Lieberman.  The winner will probably face either Republican Linda McMahon or Republican Chris Shays in November. (Brian K. Hill is also seeking the Republican nomination.)

At the outset, DTC chair Victor J. Cassella told the committee that the vote would be settled by a majority or a plurality. Murphy and Bysiewicz were nominated from the floor. Then there was a pause, but no one stood to nominate Tong.  DTC members raised hands to vote for Murphy. 

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Cell Tower Storm Inquiry Gets Some Answers

by Diana Stricker | Mar 30, 2012 8:31 am | Comments (1)

Efforts are underway to develop state standards and enforcement mechanisms for backup power at cell towers following problems encountered in last year’s two historic storms that caused power outages lasting up to 12 days.

There is also proposed legislation to update the approval process for towers, and recommendations that would give enforcement power to the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC), which oversees cell towers.

All this comes at a time when Branford is dealing with an onslaught of tower proposals.  Yesterday, the second tower in slightly more than two years received final approval. The CSC approved the development and management plans for a 109-foot tower, disguised as a rustic water tank, at 723 Leetes Island Rd. on the Medlyn Farm property. A 125-foot tower has already been built on Pine Orchard Road.

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Animal Adoption Meds Proposal Advances

by marcia chambers | Mar 26, 2012 12:58 pm

Earlier this month Laura Burban, director of Branford’s Cosgrove Animal Shelter, testified about the need for new state legislation to permit towns and cities, if they choose, to charge prospective dog or cat owners the fees typically associated with vaccinating, spaying or neutering animals.

Last Friday the General Assembly’s Planning and Development Committee approved the legislation by a vote of 19-1 and sent it to the House floor.  If enacted, it will give municipalities a way to make sure that shelter pets are vaccinated and sterilized before they are adopted. The bill does not require municipalities to take this route but gives them an option that Burban says is necessary.

The current state voucher system places the responsibility on the pet owner and the pet owner often ignores it or finds the voucher system too expensive to use, even with discounts. 

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