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07/19/2017 04:00 PMWith overwhelming approval from the Republican town caucus on July 18, Branford's incumbent First Selectman/Second Selectman team of Jamie Cosgrove and Joe Higgins will top the Republican ticket in the November 7, 2017 municipal election.
Branford's Board of Selectmen consists of three elected officials, with Democrat Jack Ahern currently serving as Third Selectman. Branford's Democrats will caucus on July 20 to produce a November 2017 municipal election slate.
The town's Republican party set its November 2017 municipal election slate during a July 18 caucus at Branford Fire Headquarters.
An energized Cosgrove told Zip06/The Sound he looks forward to the approaching campaign season and the opportunity to win support to serve Branford for a third consecutive term as First Selectman.
"I'm certainly honored to serve the town," said Cosgrove. "I look forward to going out and trying to earn the support and the trust of the residents of Branford."
In 2013, Cosgrove's first attempt to win the First Selectman's seat was successful. He repeated the win to earn a second term in the November, 2015 election. Looking back on his past two terms leading Branford, Cosgrove said, "I feel that the town is moving in a positive direction, and I think that's contributed by a whole team effort."
But, Cosgrove added, "I certainly think there's work to be done and challenges ahead, and I look forward to continuing to go out and face those challenges."
Cosgrove said his leadership will also continue to help Branford weather the impacts of the state's current budget crisis.
"We can't fall into that trap of short-term thinking. We know how that plays out; we know how that story ends," said Cosgrove. "The uncertainty of the state is a challenge, but I feel I have shown we are taking a reasonable approach."
The Cosgrove administration currently leads a Town Hall which includes elected members from the Republican party in the offices of Town Clerk and Town Treasurer as well as a Republican majority of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM). Cosgrove said his administration's policy of fiscal responsibility is carefully balanced with moving Branford forward in a positive direction.
"It's a balance of looking at the current needs but also looking at the burden being placed on the taxpayer." said Cosgrove. "But we also can't lose sight -- we want to ensure that Branford remains a strong town; a town that we want to live in and raise our families in -- and leave it as good, if not a better town, for the next generation. That's something I stay focused on."
On July 17, the Republican party additionally endorsed both incumbents and new candidates to fill the party's 2017 municipal election slate, including RTM seats in Branford's seven districts, Board of Education seats, Board of Assessment Appeals and Constables. In addition, the candidacies of GOP incumbents Town Treasurer Dennis Nardella and Town Clerk Lisa Arpin were endorsed by the party. The Republican caucus also endorsed its new candidate for Tax Collector, Sandy Krause.