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12/22/2016 12:42 PMHere’s a glimpse at some of the stories making news in North Branford in 2016.
January
Construction of the town’s first fire training tower is on budget and on schedule. Ground was broken in the fall and the physical framework is now 100 percent complete.
Former councilwoman Joanne Wentworth is honored for 38 years of consecutive elected service, including 10 terms as mayor, five terms as deputy mayor, and four terms as councilwoman.
On the books for less than a year, the new Code of Public Conduct for participation at town meetings is revoked by a unanimous vote of the Town Council.
Thanks to state language not regulated by town zoning law, North Branford has long had a BYOB restaurant policy. New business owner Albert Pacileo seeks a zoning amendment allow sale of beer and wine at full-service restaurants (not bars) within less than 500 feet of a school, playground, church or synagogue. If the amendment passes, the new restaurant, located next to Jerome Harrison Elementary School (JHS) on Foxon Road, would be allowed to apply for a permit. The Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) hearing is continued to February.
Seeking to re-open the conversation on allowing a 60,000 gallon bulk propane retail/storage facility at 40 Ciro Road, grassroots group Concerned Citizens of North Branford file a petition at Town Hall with 196 signatures.
Pointing to a decade-old 27 percent pay raise that continues to put North Branford’s certified school administrator salaries at least $5,000 above those in nearby towns, while also saying the Town Council “dropped the ball” on joining negotiations this time around, Town Council member Al Rose expressed his frustration on Jan. 19, as the clock wound down on the council’s 30-day action window to approve, disapprove, or take no action on the new contract agreement between the Board of Education (BOE) and North Branford School Administrators Association.
On Jan. 29, Northford Ice Pavilion LLC, Marty Roos, John Lashar, Al Secondino and Michael Belfonti cut the ribbon on a $4.5 million expansion of their existing 2,000 seat facility founded in 1998. The addition of a third rink makes it the biggest indoor ice skating venue in Connecticut.
February
The BOE votes unanimously to recommend an annual spending increase of 4.79 percent, upping the 4.37 percent proposed by Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker. Salaries, benefits, and some newly proposed positions are among the requested increases.
With a little help from the community and local organizations, Matt’s Mission Fund gathers volunteers and materials to build a wheelchair ramp, in one weekend for a military veteran amputee. A resident also donates a barely used electric wheelchair, valued at $8,000.
At the Feb. 4 PZC meeting, a continued public hearing on serving beer and wine near a school drew about a dozen people to give input.
After an investigation that began in 2014, North Branford Police Department (NBPD) charge the former treasurer of North Branford Youth Basketball League, LLC, with first degree larceny, leveled in cases where theft of property exceeds a value of $20,000.
Residents (and dads of young go-kart drivers) Dominic Abbatiello and James Ross said their families and others involved in the sport—from this community and outlying areas—want North Branford to become home to Totoket Valley Karting Club’s track. The club wants to become a long-term partner with the town, and operate on about three acres of town land at 260 Forest Rd.
March
The town won’t enter into a proposed partnership with non-profit Totoket Valley Karting Association to build a dirt track on town property, after preliminary research turned up restrictions on acceptable use of land at the town’s Swajchuk property which precludes the go-kart option.
With a vote of 4-1 March 3, the PZC approves allowing beer and wine to be served at restaurants closer than 500 feet to schools and other sensitive areas in town. Now, applicant Pacileo’s Restaurant can seek the permit. Restaurants seeking to receive approval to serve beer and wine in alignment with the new amendment will be required to apply for a special permit, complete with public hearing, before the PZC decides on whether to grant the request.
Jessica Castillo, manager of McDonald’s of North Branford, wins a Ray Kroc Award. She is one of 340 McDonald’s Restaurant managers around the world, representing the top one percent, to receive the honor.
April
A 2.89 percent increase to the mill rate is on the horizon in North Branford after the Town Council cuts $1 million in requested schools spending from the proposed town budget on April 6. However most residential property owner will likely see a decrease in taxes next year, based on revaluation notices which assessed many properties lower on the 2015 Grand List.
Construction begins to completely replace Memorial Park’s popular lighted tennis courts with a new type of surface that better resists the cracks which covered the old surfaces. The majority of the cost of the $370,000 project was covered by a Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant.
After three horribly neglected horses arrive at the non-profit All the Kings Horses Equine Rescue (ATKHER) of North Branford, founder Mary Santagata ratchets up fundraising efforts to help. Among them is “hero pony,” Tucker, who, after he escaped his neglected pen in Lyme on April 12, alerted neighbors to 18 other suffering members of his herd.
Due to rising numbers of requests to increase the size of current accessory dwellings, the PZC will amend regulations to allow for increased space and cut away the current three-year prior occupancy requirement.
On April 21, business owner Albert Pacileo clinches the town’s first special zoning permit to serve beer and wine within 500 feet of a school at his newly constructed restaurant at 285 Foxon Road. The PZC votes 5-0 to approve.
A crowd of residents turn out to see a six-ton tater, hauled by the Big Idaho Potato truck, make a pit stop at NBHS April 29 to kick off the Potato & Corn Festival’s (POCO) 15th anniversary year.
May
With only 4.6 percent of voters turning out at the polls, the Town Council’s proposed $50.99 million budget with a 0.90 mill rate increase is cleared to head back to the council for final adoption without changes. The Town Charter requires a 15 percent minimum voter turnout. Later in the month, the Town Council adopts a 2016-17 town budget of $50,998,927. The new mill rate is set at 31.98 mills.
The community comes together to assist the Herassme family of Northford after the devastating loss of Donna Herassme, a beloved wife and loving mother of three young children, on May 5. Friends institute a fundraising effort and hope to gather $10,000 to help the family move forward.
More than 50 students participating in the North Branford High School (NBHS) “Big Give” distribute a total of $13,950 to 15 local charitable groups. In total, more than $53,500 has been raised and given to charity, during four Big Give events organized at NBHS since 2010.
When Lynn Riordan established Matt’s Mission Foundation in honor of her son seven years ago, she couldn’t conceive the huge impact the non-profit would have on North Branford. On May 22, at the seventh annual Matt’s Mission 5K Road Race, Riordan, who also co-founded Food Pantry of North Branford, completes her final year directing Matt’s Mission. Next year, Matt’s Mission 5K will be led by a NBHS/community based committee, with proceeds to benefit NBHS athletics. In addition, Matthew Picciuto scholarships will continue to assist graduating NBHS seniors through 2023 and Riordan will keep her connection with Matt’s Mission as a board member and treasurer.
North Branford’s annual Memorial Day Parade steps off in the Northford section of town on May 30.
June
With two speakers reminding them, “Once a T-Bird, always a T-Bird,” 135 members of the North Branford High School (NBHS) Class of 2016, clad in Thunderbird purple caps and gowns, receive their diplomas during commencement exercises on the school field June 10.
A collaboration between Northford and North Branford Women’s Clubs and local veterans brings local dignitaries and representatives of veterans groups, emergency services, Boy Scouts and residents for a moving “Remember Our Veterans” Flag Ceremony outside Town Hall on June 14, National Flag Day.
On June 27, Shoreline Chamber of Commerce (SCC) announces it now represents North Branford in addition to the towns of Branford and Guilford, creating a tri-town chamber.
July
A deadly early morning crash on July 18 at 630 Foxon Road claims the lives of a 51 year-old North Branford resident and a 67 year-old Killingworth resident.
On July 11, North Branford Police are given a show of support organized by residents, following the tragic shooting deaths of five Dallas, Texas, police officers (with another 12 officers injured) by a lone sniper ambushing a peaceful protest on July 7. Residents held messages of encouragement and thanks as traffic passed Town Hall and Jerome Harrison Elementary School.
After some three months spent removing, resurfacing, repainting and re-striping, North Branford’s Memorial Park tennis and basketball courts open for play in mid-July.
August
The 15th annual Potato and Corn Festival is held Aug. 5 to 7; bringing thousands to Augurs field for food and fun.
To help offset $67,000 in costs, North Branford student athletes will need to kick in a new activity fee for the first time. North Branford Intermediate School (NBIS) athletes will pay $50; NBHS athletes, $75.
North Branford’s first Dog Park is leaping. Work to add fences takes place. Grassroots group North Branford (NB) Unleashed! is partnering with the town, raising nearly $12,000 for needed fencing and more. The town has provided land beside the former Augur Farm pole barn on Forest Road, at the edge of the town’s Swajchuk recreational land.
Saying he looks forward to the “challenges that await,” Superintendent Schoonmaker feels North Branford Public Schools are poised to succeed during the 2016-17 school year. The district has seven new teachers and a new building substitute. A rising number of residents continue to rely on Food Pantry of North Branford (FPNB) for supplemental groceries on a weekly basis. During the month of August 2016, FPNB reported providing a total of 4752 meals for the month to assist 94 adults, 60 children, and 39 senior citizens living in town.
On Aug. 23, state road resurfacing of the entire 4.11 mile stretch of Route 22 begins. Traffic is delayed and backed up as paving continues through Sept. 2.
September
On Sept. 8, about 150 concerned citizens come out to hear their neighbors make a case against the state’s tentative approval of a wetlands application for a controversial 60,000 gallon bulk propane storage/retail facility at 40 Ciro Road. The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) public hearing will be followed by an evidentiary hearing in Hartford on Sept. 15 to hear from applicant J.J. Sullivan and any intervening opponents.
Branford Rotary honors North Branford first responders among its third annual Shoreline Heroes. The 2016 Shoreline Heroes are North Branford Fire Department Assistant Chief Mark D. Amatrudo and North Branford Police Detective-Sergeant Sean Anderson.
October
The Town Council adopts an Assessment Deferral Program that begins Oct. 1. The program enables a property’s assessment to be unchanged during the period of construction or rehabilitation and until the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or two years after the application approval, whichever comes sooner.
On Oct. 11 the Town of North Branford earns an Energy Star Achievement award. Since joining Clean Energy Communities in 2012, municipal buildings see an annual reduction equaling the energy consumed by 54 homes and greenhouse gas emission equal removing about 55 cars from the road for one year. North Branford’s annual estimated energy cost savings is $119,000.
“Honest Conversations with Muslim Neighbors” draws some 65 people to Zion Episcopal Church in North Branford on Oct. 18. The program is offered to groups around the state to promote public awareness and understanding about and respect for religious pluralism.
The 27th annual North Branford Community Food Drive is held on Oct. 22 to benefit Food Pantry of North Branford. Major manpower for the drive, organized annually by NBIS, comes from the students of NBIS and NBHS, with help from North Branford Public Works.
November
The 2017 Connecticut Teacher of Year is North Branford High School Science teacher Lauren Danner, who is also a resident of North Branford and an alumna of the school.
As of Nov. 5, 150 North Branford families are signed up to receive supplemental groceries from non-profit Food Pantry of North Branford.
North Branford takes its Republican roots to the bank on Election Day, Nov. 8, with the town’s tradition of supporting the GOP showing with high numbers for Republican President-elect Donald J. Trump. Voters choose Trump nearly two-to-one over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. North Branford voters also show overwhelming support for incumbent State Representative Vincent Candelora (R-86), who is returned for a sixth term over first-time challenger Vincent Mase, who ran as unaffiliated.
The North Branford Economic Development Commission (EDC) sends out a Business Retention and Expansion Survey to all the businesses in North Branford and Northford. Results will be available soon.
Military veterans from several eras received a warm welcome from students at NBHS on Nov. 11, Veterans Day. Members of the NBHS Wounded Warriors Club hosted the annual event.
North Branford Fire Department (NBFD) dedicates its new training facility on Nov. 19. The department also displays three new apparatus recently approved by Board of Fire Commissioners and Town Council; Rescue 1, Rescue 2, and Tanker 3.
North Branford citizen and attorney Peter C. White seeks a ruling from the Commissioner of DEEP on whether DEEP has jurisdiction to review and decide an inland wetlands watercourses application site plan filed by J.J. Sullivan Fuel Co. (Guilford) for a 60,000 gallon bulk propane storage/retail facility proposed for 40 Ciro Road.
In a first for NBHS, junior Sarah Criscuolo is accepted into the 2017 All-Eastern Music Festival Band.
December
On Dec. 2., North Branford residents gather at a new, central site set for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Augur’s Field, home of POCO.
On Dec. 6, North Branford Public Schools hosts a forum on opioid and heroin abuse and what’s being done to combat it. A panel shares sobering statistics—including the fact, shared by North Branford Police, that six overdose deaths have occurred in North Branford since 2014.
North Branford stands to gain an estimated $200,000 in annual property taxes if PZC approves an application for a new, age 55-and-over housing development at 50 Clintonville Road in Northford. A zoning amendment and special permit is required. A public hearing is set for Jan. 5.
NBHS has once again been named to the College Board AP Honor Roll, one of 433 schools nationwide. NBHS was also recognized in 2015 and 2011.