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04/02/2012 12:00 AMThe State Highway Department is proposing to widen Route 80 by taking land from in front of the Town Green where the North Branford Congregational Church stands.
The taking of any land is a total disrespect to North Branford's heritage, particularly the site where this town was founded in 1831. Where Revolutionary War volunteers gathered in 1777 are five monuments memorializing conflicts from the Civil War to Vietnam and the beautiful Congregational Church, the third edifice on the site, constructed in 1908. The chapel is older, dating from 1887. This is also the site of the first Meeting House (1724), burial ground, nursery school, and animal shelter. The Civil War monument, dedicated April 12, 1866, is one of the first monuments in the United States erected to the memory of those soldiers who fought and died for the Union. The site is still being used for public gatherings and is a North Branford landmark, especially in spring when the cherry trees flower.
The purpose of establishing a Historic District listed on Dec. 9, 1999 on the National Register of Historic Places was to protect these cultural and national resources. The State Department of Transportation's plan does not satisfy these requirements. It has little regard of maintaining our small town's heritage, rural character, and quality of life. It also ignores pedestrian movement and safety and encourages vehicular speeding where traffic needs to be slowed down.
This highway construction will have a major impact on the future of North Branford. I strongly encourage the people of North Branford to take a serious look at what the State Highway Department of Transportation is proposing and to let their opinion be known before construction bids are awarded.
E. Robert (Bob) Grega•Northford