Cosgrove Begins Second Term as First Selectman

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove took the oath of office for his second term Tuesday morning and pledged to continue following the advice of his legendary grandfather, Danny Cosgrove, who turns 98 this week.

Cosgrove, 42, recalled that two years ago his grandfather gave him some advice a couple days before the swearing-in ceremony. ​“He told me ​‘Do some good,’ and I think over these past two years we have done a lot of good for the town of Branford and for the residents of the town of Branford,”

Cosgrove told the crowd of about 50, adding that it was a team effort. ​“Collectively as a team we’ve done some good things. That includes also a lot of town of town staff I’ve gotten to know on both a personal and professional level over the last two years, and many of them are here.”

Cosgrove led the Republican team to another sweeping election victory earlier this month. Town Clerk Lisa Arpin and RTM Majority Leader Ray Ingraham both won re-election. They are pictured here. 

“We’ve done plenty over the last two years but our job’s not done,” Cosgrove said. ​“There’s a lot more to do and I look forward to serving the people of Branford for the next two years to do some good.”

Cosgrove thanked everyone for attending the 8 a.m. ceremony at the James Blackstone Library. He also thanked his family, especially his wife Nicole and daughters Ava and Lila.

Eleven-year-old Ava once again wowed the crowd with an extremely talented rendition of the ​“Star Spangled Banner.”

His grandfather Danny Cosgrove, who was unable to attend the ceremony, was a Democratic powerhouse in both Branford and the state for decades. He later founded the Taxpayer’s Party and served one term as third selectman. Click here for a previous interview.

The Team Takes Office

Probate Judge Frank J. Forgione administered the oath of office to Cosgrove and to Joe Higgins, the incumbent Republican second selectman; and to Jack Ahern, a Democrat who will serve his first term as third selectman.

Cosgrove was the only one to make a speech during the 15-minute ceremony.

Higgins told the Eagle he’s looking forward to ​“another two years of doing good things. What I’ve always practiced in my career is to listen to people and make decisions on what I know and what people are telling me.” He said the Republican team has been very focused. ​“We’re on the right track,” Higgins said.

Ahern, who retired last year as the town’s fire chief, told the Eagle he looks forward to serving as an elected official and to having a voice in the many projects that are in the early stages. ​“I look forward to hearing presentations and people’s opinions — especially the public.” He said he was pleased with the amount of public input at a recent presentation he attended regarding the proposed senior center. ​“That’s the most important thing with these projects — getting public opinion,” Ahern said. He is pictured here with Police Chief Kevin Halloran and Fire Chief Tom Mahoney.

Town attorney William Aniskovich, who served as master of ceremonies, thanked the legislators who attended the ceremony — State Reps Sean Scanlon and Lonnie Reed; and State Senator Ted Kennedy.

Aniskovich, who assisted with Cosgrove’s campaign, spoke with the Eagle after the ceremony. ​“This has been a very busy two years and we look forward to another busy two years completing some of the projects we’ve started,” he said. 

Forgione also administered the oath of office to Michael T. Nardella, town treasurer; Joanne Cleary, town tax collector; Jason Driscoll, board of assessments appeals; and Kyle Nelson, constable. Cleary, an incumbent, was endorsed by both parties. The others are Republicans. Officials who could not be at the morning ceremony will be sworn in at a later time.

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