nothin New Haven Independent | Foote Puts a Foot Forward

Foote Puts a Foot Forward

The Board of Selectmen (BOS) voted unanimously last night to approve the town’s acquisition of Foote Memorial Park and Riverside Park that have been held in trust. This was the final board to approve the proposal which means the 44.6‑acre park and other properties will be owned by the town.

Diana Stricker Photo

We want to ensure this remains a recreational park for generations to come and we do that by taking ownership,” said First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove shortly before the vote was taken. (Cosgrove is pictured at left in photo with Selectman Jack Ahern.)

Several months ago, a bank trustee for the Wallace (Wally) H. Foote Family Charitable Trust said it would prefer that the town own and operate the Foote Park, which is located at 19 Melrose Ave. Two hearings were held before Probate Judge Frank Forgione, who last month approved the transfer of the land to the town. Click here to read about the hearings.

Once the deed is transferred, the Foote property will be overseen by the town’s recreation department, which may apply to the Trustee for funding for the parks.

I think it’s going to be great for the town,” said Third Selectman Jack Ahern. He asked recreation director Alex Palluzzi Jr. about his plans for the park.

Long- Range Park Plans Outlined

We’re really going to look at a long-range plan,” Palluzzi said. However, he said there are projects that need immediate attention, such as replacing the basketball and tennis courts. He estimated the cost for the immediate repairs at about $250,000.

Ahern asked when the town would apply for the money.

Cosgrove said the town would request funds from the trust before the end of the year, and that hopefully the money would be available next year. 

Second Selectman Joe Higgins congratulated Palluzzi for his role in this acquisition and said he knows Palluzzi will do a great and terrific” job overseeing the parks.

Diana Stricker Photo

Palluzzi (pictured) thanked the selectmen, especially Cosgrove. He put it together with (finance director) Jim Finch and the town attorney,” Palluzzi said. We’re looking at generations to come.”

The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) unanimously approved the transfer last week, but only after questions were raised that could only be answered by the town attorney, who was not at the meeting. Town Attorney Bill Aniskovich later arrived to answer questions raised by the RTM Democrats about whether the deed restrictions would remain in the deed when the properties are transferred to the town. They wanted to ensure that the park would remain a park.

The answer is YES!” Aniskovich told the RTM last week.

Aniskovich later told the Eagle that There may have been a misunderstanding about whether there were additional restrictions. There was some discussion about additional restrictions. But there were no additional restrictions. The deed has been the deed … forever,” Aniskovich said. Click here to read about the meeting.

The Board of Finance reviewed the plan but was not required to vote on it. The Planning and Zoning Commission previously approved the transfer, recommending that both parks remain as active open space recreation use.”

Palluzzi has been circulating copies of an overview of plans for Foote Park. In addition to repairs and renovations, he would like to create new programs for all age groups from toddlers to senior citizens, including sports clinics, tournaments, family movie night, an amphitheater, clubs and classes, a community garden and special events. He envisions a variety of choices for adults and seniors, including tennis lessons, walkers’ clubs, Yoga, bocce, horseshoes, aerobics, bird watching, and crafts.

This generous endowment by the Foote Foundation will greatly strengthen the sense of community that is Branford’s backbone,” Palluzzi wrote in the three-page report. The Parks and Recreation Department knows it will take planning, hard work, and town-wide collaboration to make the most of Foote Park, but we are absolutely up to the challenge.”
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