Diane Stricker Photo
A proposed town settlement of two lawsuits filed by landowner Wayne Cooke (pictured) against former Branford First Selectman Unk DaRos and Assesor Barbara Neal was abruptly pulled from the Board of Finance agenda Monday evening.
The six-member Board of Finance (BOF) expected to discuss in executive session “a proposed settlement in the Cooke v. DaRos lawsuit.” By law legal issues, such as settlements, take place in executive session. The results are announced publicly.
The item had been fast-tracked and was to be heard at a special BOF meeting. However, Joseph Mooney, the BOF chair, told the board the discussion on the settlement had been deferred at the request of William Aniskovich, the town attorney. Mooney said the postponement was necessary because the paperwork regarding the cases was not complete.
Under the settlement, the town and the town’s insurer would each pay Cooke $250,000. In addition a discussion is underway that would have the town waive $200,000 in Cooke’s back taxes. At issue was the decision by the tax assessor to remove Cooke’s farm benefits because he was no longer farming on his various parcels of land. Cooke filed a federal civil rights action afterwards along with a defamation suit against DaRos. There are other tax cases filed as well.
Finance Board members had not received any documents prior to the meeting, neither the proposed settlement nor information concerning Cooke’s back taxes and assessments from 2008 on. Click here to read a previous article about the case.
Aniskovich did not attend the finance board meeting. First Selectman James Cosgrove was present but he did not comment, those present told the Eagle.
The matter was slated for discussion in executive session at Wednesday’s RTM meeting, according to the agenda, if it had been approved by the BOF. However, the town clerk issued a new RTM agenda on Monday morning, Oct 6, specifically stating the Cooke item would be heard at a special RTM meeting scheduled for Oct. 15. This presumes the BOF will meet again in special session before that date.
So far the Board of Selectmen has not reviewed the settlement proposal.
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This is outrageous!
Wayne Cooke worked long and hard -- even to the extent of making himself look like the village idiot in service to the cause -- to deliver City Hall to the Cosgrove administration. He deserves to be paid for his services immediately, if not sooner.
Always remember, a political payoff delayed is a political payoff denied!
By the way, $450,000 out of the pockets of Branford taxpayers is far, far too little for his valiant efforts on behalf of the Republican Party. Of course the moochers, who want the government to serve them, not their betters will grouse, but as a proud member of the one percent I find this money well spent, the kind of government activism we need to see more of.