Diana Stricker Photo
It was time for accolades as Branford’s boys and girls ice hockey teams were honored for their championship seasons by the Board of Selectmen (BOS) last week.
The selectmen presented certificates of achievement to the high school teams Wednesday night as family and friends filled the meeting room at Fire Headquarters.
The girls co-op ice hockey team won the Southern Connecticut Conference Division II title with a 4 – 0 shutout against the Notre Dame-Fairfield/Milford team in late February. This was the first year for the co-op which united players from Branford, East Haven and North Haven. The team was coached by Lauren Wiggins and assistant coaches Brian Haesche and Dave Salerno. The three captains — Cassidy Murphy and Marissa Guglielmi, both of Branford, and Lexi Harney of East Haven, led the co-op team to an overall record of 8 – 9‑1.
Diana Stricker Photo
The boys hockey team won the Southern Connecticut Conference/South-West Conference Division II championship game in March with a 4 – 3 win over Amity. This was the team’s second conference win in three years. The Hornets, which finished with an 18 – 5‑1 record, is coached by Adolph Brink and assistant Mark Cunningham. Senior Rob Denhardt was captain and defenseman, and Tony Pascale was assistant captain and forward.
April Dedicated to Helping
In other business, the BOS issued two proclamations to highlight programs that assist youth.
Branford will take part in a nationwide PowerTalk 21 Day on April 21, which culminates 21 days of national conversations about the dangers of underage drinking. The program is sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and by the Branford Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking. Handbooks are available for parents to learn effective ways to talk with their teens about alcohol.
The BOS proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and urged residents and community leaders to wear blue each Monday in April to show their support. The selectmen commended the Exchange Club of Branford for its ongoing programs to help prevent child abuse.
Appointments
The BOS filled two vacancies on the Water Pollution Control Authority. David Steinhardt, (D), who was serving as an alternate, was appointed as a full member. Yvette Larrieu, D, a former member of the Representative Town Meeting, was appointed as a full member. Steinhardt is filling a term that expires Oct. 15, 2014; and Larrieu’s term expires October 2015. Both decisions were unanimous.
Finance Director James Finch was unanimously reappointed as the Neighborhood Assistance Act municipal liaison.
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