It’s not too often a top town official sits down with the locals to field questions about the state of the town.
Denise Isaac
But that’s what Branford’s First Selectman, Jamie Cosgrove, did two weeks ago at a morning event sponsored by the League of Women Voters. LWV president Carol Reimers and Denise Issac (pictured) made the introductions. This is the closest Cosgrove has come to an annual “State of the Town” address, which under prior first selectmen provided an annual assessment on town operations and new projects designed to update residents and businesses.
Cosgrove answered questions on three of the hot-button topics in town – Costco, the much-anticipated senior center, and Atlantic Wharf – and discussed several other issues. Costco proposed putting a superstore off Exit 56 at I‑95, then recently withdrew its application before the Inland Wetlands Commission voted. The relatively small group of attendees at the gathering at the Community House did a thorough job of seeking answers to the town’s important matters.
First, he talked about his background and how he got involved in local politics. He said that his grandfather – the late Dan Cosgrove – was active and although he kept “his ear open to it,” he had no interest in politics growing up.
Then he thought about how local government impacts daily life – trash pick-up, kids being picked up by the school bus, town roads, the Community House as a public building, and realized, “You quickly find out that Branford provides a lot.” He said he wanted to preserve its quality of life.
Cosgrove said when he was elected to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), he was a registered Democrat, but changed his affiliation. “Partisan politics has no place in local government,” he said. “Political ideology doesn’t have a lot of influence when it comes to the budget.”
He said he tries to govern by listening to the people and looking at things “globally… “You have to be open and articulate about the best course of action.”
Cosgrove said, “Branford doesn’t rely heavily on the state,” but due to the deficit, state aid is being reduced. “We’re (the town) somewhat insulated but residents and businesses are not insulated. That translates into a greater burden because people turn to local for help and not the feds.”
Fortunately Branford is slated to receive an increase of $800,000 under the proposed state budget, but given recent state budget issues that is not set in stone.
Costco
Sue Addiss said she wanted Costco in Branford; she also complimented the town on solving the pretzel problem, but added that Exit 53 off I‑95 “needs a redo.”
Cosgrove said he’s optimistic that they’ll reapply. He said that they must meet regulations and they did a good job of doing that. He added that there ”needs to be a balance” and that’s true with everything in nature. He said he’s looking for “sustainability … leaving partisan politics out.”
Cosgrove likes to talk about leaving partisan politics out of the Costco application. But needless to say Costco has been fraught with controversy, including open conflict between Cosgrove and the Inland Wetlands Commission.
Regarding Exit 53, Cosgrove said Costco had no interest in locating there because of the limited interchange on I‑95. He said the town has applied for federal funds for a third year, working with four property owners, plus the state. “It should be so easy to do,” he said, but due to bureaucracy, “it doesn’t seem to be getting any traction.”
There was concern about development along East Main Street that did not generate payment of taxes to the town, despite the fact that the town must provide services. (The Army Reserve Training Center there is nearing completion and that facility is not liable for local property taxes.) Cosgrove mentioned that Costco’s 16 to 17 acres is a Planned Development District with four different owners. Taxes will be paid on that property.
The Community House/Senior Center
Mary Webber asked about the Community House itself. “The senior center plays a big role in the community,” she said.
Cosgrove said that the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear the project May 19. “The architect is working on plans and there has been a traffic study,” he said, adding that the Community House is “a solid building” and that a senior center has been discussed for 10 years. “Canoe Brook has a great staff and programs,” he said.
Nancy Lynch noted the crumbling walkway at Canoe Brook and the problems with access if there’s overflow parking at Richlin.
Alex Palluzzi and Jamie Cosgrove
Recreation Director Alex Palluzzi Jr., who was also at the meeting, said, “The Community House is open seven days a week… seniors do use this building … it deserves to have upgrades as well.”
“It’s a great project,” Cosgrove added. Later, he said groundbreaking may take place this fall. Currently the land use process is being discussed, then the project will go to the RTM and Board of Finance for appropriations.
In terms of a stand-alone facility for seniors, Cosgrove said there’s not much going on after 3 p.m., so that would require “a reduced footprint.”
Concerns expressed about parking and traffic at the remodeled facility.
There will be expanded parking at the combined facility. “We have the means for additional parking,” Cosgrove said. He gave no specifics.
What about traffic with the new Atlantic Wharf development, and multiple large vehicles such as the jitneys and medical transportation cars, traveling the narrow roads in the area?
Cosgrove replied that traffic has been studied and the realignment of Meadow and Montowese Streets should help with that.
It was noted that there’s a big value in integrating young and old.
Palluzzi said many grandparents are bringing kids to the Community House for activities rather than parents, who are working. He added that playground access will be addressed since access is now across the parking lot without any marked pathway.
Along with the anticipated construction of two major projects, the flooding problem on Meadow Street was discussed. Cosgrove cited the development of the Coastal Resiliency Plan.
He said it’s a priority in the area, which is impacted by high tides and storm surges. He added that the Community House should be protected and preserved, and its vulnerability addressed. Palluzzi mentioned that a $200,000 boiler is located in a vulnerable area and that will be addressed during the renovation.
The possibility of a levee in the area of the Eel Pot bar and restaurant was mentioned, as was the vulnerability of the Meadow Street power station. Cosgrove said there have been meetings with Eversource and a temporary plan is in place to protect the area. Long term, he said, the power station may be eliminated.
Senior Housing
Also concerning to seniors is the problem of affordable housing. Cosgrove said that there’s one extreme or the other. “We don’t have the right mix.”
The new Rose Street apartments are renting at $1,300 for a one-bedroom unit, while other housing units are experiencing leaks and deterioration.
Cosgrove said that the Branford Housing Authority and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) are doing a site study on the units on South Montowese Street; they may build a new facility and relocate residents, then demolish old one and build new one
Other Concerns
It was asked if state funding will affect the renovation of Walsh Intermediate School. Cosgrove said, “We’ll know that funds are in place before we start construction. That will happen during the next legislative session, spring 2017.”
The Branford Hills school site was discussed. Cosgrove said that remediation has been started as a step toward demolition. He said the assessment revealed that it has “no value” and that it will be cost prohibitive to repurpose, considering its leaks, rusted plumbing, and electrical problems. There are no plans for the site, which will receive top soil and seed to make it park-like.
A new resident asked whether there was a 5- or 10-year plan for the town. Cosgrove said that the current plan of Conservation and Development is up in 2018 and that the town planner will be drawing up new plans. He said Branford has 110 miles of roads; work is being done on 5 miles a year. A road inventory has been completed, along with rating the roads on how to bring them to acceptable levels; state funding is up in the air, he added.
Nancy Lynch asked about Snake Hill Road, the winding state road connecting Branford and North Branford. Cosgrove said that the project is broken down into two separate projects, rock excavation and road construction. The road will be configured into a large C, he said.
It was asked if there was any new benefit to the small stores along Main Street. Cosgrove cited the rental income to property owners. He believes that foot traffic from Atlantic Wharf and the Community House will energize the area.
As for the completion of the railroad station… they’re still waiting for the elevators. That was a problem with its completion back in December.
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