Diana Stricker Photo
The committee that has searched for three years for sites for a new public works building has been disbanded and thanked for its service. And it appears that none of the three candidates for first selectman favors placing the building on the town-owned Tabor Drive property that the committee recommended.
The action occurred Wednesday at the Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting when a motion to disband the committee passed by two yes votes from First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos and Second Selectman Andy Campbell.
The motion was made by Campbell, who is running for first selectman on the Democratic ticket. Third Selectman James Cosgrove, who is the Republican contender, voted no.
A major change occurred when Campbell, who read from a written statement, also announced he no longer supports putting the public works facility on the Tabor property. “I am now convinced that the Tabor property is not a viable option for the site of a new public works garage. I want a new public works garage to be located at a different, better site, and we need to make a fresh start at finding the best location for this important town facility,” Campbell said.
THANK YOU, COMMITTEE
Campbell said the committee “is a talented and experienced group of citizen volunteers that worked diligently, independently and professionally” to find a location for public works after its original building was demolished to make way for the new fire headquarters. He said the committee “has accomplished all that it can, and that no useful purpose is served by keeping it in place.”
The committee conducted an extensive search and twice recommended using the town-owned Tabor property.
In addition, the 2008 Plan of Conservation and Development, a required town tool for guiding the future of Branford, recommended the Tabor site. After a long study that involved public input, it found the town should pursue relocation of the public works facility to Tabor. It also suggested a master plan for the 77-acre Tabor parcel be undertaken. DaRos unveiled a master plan for the Tabor site that year. Click here to read about it.
The BOS voted 2 – 1 in November to use the Tabor property, and Campbell said he felt it was the right decision at the time. However, Campbell said that he has seen the impact of Superstorm Sandy on the Tabor area and has listened to concerns of neighbors, and has changed his mind about Tabor.
He said he favors establishing a Strategic Building Committee to look at all the town’s needs, including a senior center, school renovations and a public works building. Those sentiments have been expressed by Campbell, DaRos and Cosgrove at previous meetings.
Campbell also said he believes that the town should work with the owner of the leased property where public works is temporarily based and attempt to have the property upgraded to correct deficiencies. He said that action would “allow the town to engage in the long-term planning and construction program that is now needed.”
COSGROVE SEEKS TO KEEP COMMITTEE
Cosgrove, who previously said he wants to keep the committee intact, repeated his opposition to disbanding it. He said the public works issue needs to be resolved.
“I don’t understand your logic,” he told Campbell.
Cosgrove said the committee was never given a budget to work with regarding the cost of a new building. “We never gave them the charge to go back and review these other sites until a couple months ago.” He said the committee has been hampered by a lack of members and often didn’t have a quorum at meetings.
“There are other opportunities” for sites, he said, and they need to be explored.
Cosgrove also questioned Campbell’s proposal to upgrade the rental facility on Route 139. “Right now we have serious issues about that building. … It is in noncompliance,” he said.
DaRos defended the committee’s work. “That building committee went above and beyond what they were asked to do,” he said.
“I agreed that the committee worked hard,” Cosgrove said, adding that he attended many meetings. “Although I disagreed with the final recommendation, I respect the process.”
Independent first selectman candidate Jaycee Wyatt also said she opposes disbanding the committee and argued that new members should be appointed.
The vote to disband the committee was approved, but no motion was made to ask the owner of the lease property to do an upgrade.
The Eagle later asked Mario Ricozzi, the current chair of the Public Works Committee, for his reaction. He said at this point there is nothing else the committee can do. “Nothing is really going to happen for the next couple months,” he said, referring to the change of command that will occur after the election in November. He said committee members worked diligently to fulfill their duties in an independent and unbiased manner.
MITIGATING HAZARDS
In other business, the BOS voted unanimously in favor of submitting an application for a federal Hazard Mitigation Grant to make improvements to Linden Avenue to protect it from future storm damage.
Diana Stricker Photo
The request was made by town engineer Janice Plaziak,(pictured) who has been working with nine other towns to develop a regional Hazard Mitigation Plan along with the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG).
“The plan has been wrapped up and presented to the state and FEMA for review,” she told the Eagle prior to the BOS meeting. She said the town now qualifies to apply for federal grants for projects to mitigate potential damage.
About 50 people from the Linden Avenue neighborhood attended a Hazard Mitigation Workshop in May to express their concerns. Click here to read that story.
During Tropical Storm Irene, the massive storm surge severely damaged a portion of Linden Avenue, the only road to the peninsula where 400 families live in the Indian Neck and Pawson Park neighborhoods. The damage was repaired, but Plaziak said there was additional erosion last year during Super Storm Sandy.
Plaziak said federal funds can be used to upgrade the slope and seawall and other areas along the road that are deteriorating. She said the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will work with the town to help determine the feasibility and cost benefit analysis of the proposed project.
HISTORIC GRANTS
Plaziak also announced there is a Public Information Session Monday night at the Canoe Brook Senior Center at 7 p.m. to discuss grants for historic properties that were damaged by Super Storm Sandy. The State Historic Preservation Office has been awarded $8 million to provide technical assistance and emergency repairs to historic properties. Grants range from $2,500 to $500,000. To be eligible, properties must be listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
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