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12/31/2019 12:00 PMHere’s a glimpse at some of the stories making news in North Branford in 2019.
January
It’s official: North Branford’s first farm brewery operation and retail patron site will be established at 418 Forest Road, the future home of Stewards of the Land Farm Brewery.
A North Branford police officer absent from duty for nearly a year, Anthony DeLuise, 58, faces a judge Jan. 8 after he was arrested in his hometown of Hamden and charged with first-degree possession of child pornography. Meanwhile, North Branford Police Department (NBPD) has initiated an internal affairs investigation, says NBPD Acting Chief of Police James Lovelace.
Plans to develop a substantial professional medical office park in North Branford on property that falls within 500 of the Branford town line along Route 139, are submitted to the town.
The annual Business Breakfast hosted by the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the town’s Economic Development office is a great success, with approximately 45 attendees.
A newly established Sunflower Project, manned by “projecteers” is formed. The all-volunteer group is assisting the EDC and Economic Development Coordinator Roger Salway with creating a brand identity for North Branford, in the form of a proliferation of sunflowers, of all types and sizes, blooming all around town in summer 2019.
Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker brings the Board of Education (BOE) his proposed budget request calling for an annual spending increase of $1.03 million, or 3.26 percent, over the 2018-’19 schools operating budget.
Totoket TV has built it; now the community is invited to come on in. On Jan. 25, North Branford’s community television station cut the ribbon at its new home at 1675 Foxon Road.
Overwhelming response to an initial survey in late 2018 is already helping the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) steering committee form the first building blocks of a 10-year plan that will help shape the town. That process continues as groups of representatives from area organizations and some business owners and citizens attend the year’s first POCD community forum, at North Branford Intermediate School (NBIS) on Jan. 29.
February
Requesting a total $688,539 annual increase, the BOE votes 4-3 on Feb. 7 to send a recommended $32.33 million 2019-’20 schools operating budget to the Town Council. The BOE’s recommendation represents a 2.18 percentage increase over the 2018-’19 schools’ budget.
Originally, as discussed with the Town Council in late 2018, the BOE had anticipated spending $25,000 for a “renovate as new” NBHS building study. However, in January 2019, the council is updated that the BOE will instead be seeking additional funds to go forward with a feasibility study that could present three options, such as the possibility of constructing new building with a smaller footprint.
Economic Development Coordinator Roger Salway is helping the EDC with a new effort to create a short video, “Destination North Branford” that will share many different aspects of what the town has to offer in terms of commerce, agriculture, community, schools and more.
March
On March 1, a male victim is pulled from a burning mobile home by firefighters during an overnight fire at 224 Foxon Road on March 1, but later succumbs to his injuries at the hospital.
With some state cuts and costs as well as capital projects to consider, North Branford’s starting point for annual Town Budget deliberations begins with $55.22 million bottom line, up 5.66 percent or $2.957 million. With $2.050 million of that increase proposed to be drawn from Town’s General Revenue Fund, taxpayers would see only a 0.50 mill rate increase, up from 33.39 mills to 33.89 mills. The proposed BOE operating budget is adjusted to include a possible contribution to the state Teacher Retirement fund, totaling $32,419,225 for an annual increase of $772,050 or 2.44 percent.
Jackie Thurston is selected as one of 76 national Fulbright Teachers for Global Classroom Program grant winners. The Totoket Valley Elementary School (TVES) 5th-grade special education teacher will teach in India this summer due to the grant, and use tech to take students from TVES along.
North Branford/Northford residents and other community stakeholders are being asked to answer two important questions that will help shape the future of the town over the next 10 years: the potential development of a new town center, and goals for investing in education. Community input to a Town Center survey online will help create the foundation for a possible new municipal center on 45 acres of town land on Route 22.
On March 20, the North Branford Police Commission officially hires Branford’s newly retired police chief, Kevin Halloran, to become North Branford’s next police chief beginning May 1, 2019.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture includes North Branford in a readiness pilot program that involves the Farm River Watershed and will provide assessment and planning assistance for source water protection of public water supplies, including ground water sources.
Following an extensive investigation, NBPD announces a man has been charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, in the fatal April 2018 crash that caused the death of a motorcyclist, Samuel W. DeSenti III, 60, of North Branford.
April
Based on a dazzling lip sync challenge video first released on YouTube by Inspiration in Motion in August 2018, CBS Television notifies NBPD it is one among 30 agencies in the country in the running to be aired on a live TV special in the fall, Lip Sync to the Rescue. NBPD is also the only Connecticut department to be selected among the 30 agencies.
On April 16, The Town Council learns it won’t need to deliberate further on its debate of April 9 on whether to approve a request to increase the town’s new economic development coordinator (EDC) part-time position from 19 hours to 25 hours (full-time). In addition to the proposed $7,830 annual salary increase, taking the position to full-time added costs of more than $18,000 in benefits. At the April 16 meeting, information from EDC Director Roger Salway indicated he did not want to increase his hours and did not need benefits. However, in recognition of Salway’s notable progress on behalf of the town since he began the job last spring, the council voted unanimously on April 16 to increase his pay from $25 to $30 per hour in the 2019-’20 budget, a total increase of $4,959.
The Town Council approves appropriating $25,000 to hire a consulting firm to position the town to begin addressing a potential personnel consolidation that would merge the town and BOE finance departments into one.
With some final changes cutting a proposed 1.56 percent tax hike down to a 0.21 percent increase instead, the Town Council votes unanimously (8-0) to recommend a $53.98 million 2019-’20 Town Budget with a mill rate increase of 0.07 mills. The council also votes unanimously to nearly double an originally proposed general fund balance appropriation. The new appropriation totals $651,975. The council-recommended budget puts the town’s mill rate up slightly next year, from the current rate of 33.39 mills to 33.46 mills.
The town hires a new Potato and Corn (POCO) Festival coordinator, Gayle McMillan. The Milford resident brings years of experience planning events for companies including Disney and ESPN.
North Branford Land Conservation Trust gets two new cedar plank bridges built at the Notch Hill Brook Trail property, thanks to winter projects designed, built, and completed in April by North Branford Boy Scout Troop 453 members Tommy Candelora and Zachary Abbagnaro.
Evergreen Woods, a senior community in North Branford, earns its fifth Nationally recognized Argentum Best of the Best Award for Family and Resident Engagement.
The 10th annual Pizza Wars to benefit the North Branford Senior Center selects Capone’s Pizza Bar as its winner for the second year in a row, for the “Best Cheese Pizza.”
State Representative Vincent Candelora (R-86) joins a panel of Republican lawmakers for a Tolls Informational Forum” at North Haven High School in which panelists and hosts presented the GOP alternative to tolling called “Prioritize Progress that secures $65 billion for transportation projects over the next 30 years without relying on tolls or tax increases.
In a celebratory ceremony at North Branford Auditorium April 29, Kevin Halloran is sworn in as the new North Branford chief of police. Halloran, who grew up in North Branford, served with Branford Police Department for 30 years, including eight years as chief.
May
North Branford Fire Chief William Seward III is honored during national EMS Week in May as one of two inaugural recipients of the Yale-New Haven Hospital Center for EMS Lifetime Achievement Award. Seward has served as North Branford’s fire chief since 2005 and also served 30 years with the New Haven Fire Department.
To help drive economic growth, North Branford joins a new, five-town economic development collaborative, the Central Coast Coalition. The newly created group includes Branford, Durham, Guilford, Madison and North Branford.
With just two percent turning out at the polls for the budget referendum question vote on May 14, the Town Council’s recommended $53.98 million 2019-’20 Town Budget will be adopted. As it stands, the new budget carries a mill increase of 0.07 mills. The budget expenditure side calls for $15,638,570 for town government operations, $32,269,22 for Board of Education, $1,162,300 for capital improvements, $3,891,338 for debt service and $1,022,000 from the general fund balance for capital expenses, for a total bottom line of $53,983,433. Revenue generated from taxes is anticipated to be $41,635,121 next year.
The Town Council, which is also North Branford’s Finance Board, convenes on May 21 to the set the new mill rate at 33.46 mills for fiscal year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, up slightly from the current rate of 33.39 mills.
North Branford’s annual Memorial Day Parade steps off on May 27 in the North Branford section of town.
At the May 28 Recreation Commission meeting, a disagreement breaks out, with Chair Brian Lynch and commissioner Victor Palma disagreeing with commissioners John Onofrio and Steven Torino regarding micro-managing the Recreation Department budget. Lynch and Palma feel strongly the budget is the recreation director’s realm; they resign.
June
On June 4, Recreation Commission Chair Brian Lynch, a commission member of nearly 25 years, goes before the Town Council to talk about the resignations he and commissioner Victor Palma tendered at the May 28 commission meeting. Recreation Director Lauren Munro also speaks to the Town Council about her concerns. Town Manager Mike Paulhus, assisted by Town Attorney Vincent Marino, will begin an investigation based on the concerns.
On June 11, the 131-member of the NBHS Class of 2019 finally threw their caps into the air on a windy graduation day that challenged many a mortarboard during the early evening ceremony on the stadium field.
On June 12 the Town Clerk’s office receives Recreation Director Lauren Munro’s notice of intent to retire, effective July 12.
The Sunflower Project marks National Pollinator Week with a major milestone: successfully distributing 140,000 free sunflower seeds (and counting) to local residents and businesses.
Due to unanticipated cost increases leading to a revision to the contract with the town’s current waste hauler, John’s Refuse and Recycling, North Branford gives up monthly pick-ups of bulky waste from residences, effective July 1.
The Town Council asks Town Manager Mike Paulhus to continue to investigate possible participation the Simple Recycling Program. The program is expected to reduce the amount of residential solid waste disposal by accepting clothing, footwear, bedding, belts, ties, fashion accessories, linens, etc., in a pink bag placed beside the recycling cart. The town will be paid $20 per ton of textiles collected.
On June 18, the Town Council voted 7-3 to reinstate two Parks & Recreation commissioners who resigned May 28 on concerns other commission members were exceeding their area of responsibility and impairing the role of the recreation director. However, it is not certain whether they will accept the reinstatement.
The Town Council discusses concerns and questions regarding a retirement notice, effective July 12, given to the town by Recreation Director Lauren Munro. While some council members, including Mayor Mike Doody, express hope Munro will rescind her retirement notice or extend her stay through critical events including summer camps and the upcoming POCO Festival, the council also acknowledges the process that needs to be followed: North Branford needs to advertise for a new director.
July
A special state ceremony in North Branford becomes the latest in a line of several in Connecticut held this year to honor, recognize, and thank area men and women who served in the military during the Vietnam War era.
With the area’s oppressive heat continuing, the town’s cooling stations are open for those who need an air conditioned place to find respite during the day and on weekends.
Daniel Fleischauer, 33, of North Branford, has been sentenced to 168 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for enticing minors to engage in sexual activity online.
A New Haven Superior Court judge decides in favor of the town in a 2017 lawsuit filed by restaurateur Albert Pacileo III, owner of Pacileo’s Apizza & Pasta Restaurant on Foxon Road, against the Town of North Branford, Mayor Michael J. Doody, Police Commissioner David Palumbo, Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker, Public Works Director Fran Merola, Doody’s Totoket Inn, Inc., and Joann Doody. The three-count suit had claimed involvement of all defendants in “tortious interference with business relations” and “civil conspiracy” to the fiscal detriment of Pacileo’s Apizza.
The Police Commission announces the promotion of James Lovelace to deputy chief.
Big Y Supermarkets, which has a store in North Branford, begins notifying shoppers on July 11 that its 80 locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts will eliminate retail distribution of single use plastic bags as of Aug. 1, 2019, which is when the state begins a new 10 cent surcharge on plastic bags provided at retail.
Upon the retirement of Recreation Director Lauren Munro on July 12, Shawn Keogh is named acting director. On July 23, the Town Council confirms Keogh will serve as interim director as the search for a new director continues.
Based on negligible pension liability, a small debt burden, and a strong wealth and income profile, with a sizable tax base and solid financial position as additional factors, Finance Director Anthony Esposito reports the most recent credit rating by Moody’s Investor Services shows North Branford has a very good credit position; with an Aa2 rating that is slightly higher than the nationwide median of Aa3.
On July 23, the North Branford Democratic Town Committee (DTC) convenes to endorse a full slate of Town Council and BOE candidates for the November 2019 municipal election.
By endorsing four incumbent Town Council members and two new candidates, North Branford’s Republican Town Committee (RTC) has set its November 2019 municipal election slate and will work to keep its current 6-3 Town Council majority, the maximum allowed by Town Charter.
North Branford Police Chief Kevin Halloran credits officers who took control of a situation that could have gone “terribly wrong” on July 26, after encountering a man with what appeared to be a handgun in his waistband, holding a sign threatening drivers to slow down or have their windows shot out. Police arrested the man without incident.
August
Local business representatives and leaders of the town are treated to the world premiere of Destination: North Branford, a five-minute video designed to take viewers on a quick, informational and image-rich trip highlighting this welcoming and vibrant shoreline community.
Also on Aug. 1, on behalf of the EDC and the Town of North Branford, Town Manager Mike Paulhus presented longevity certificates to the following local businesses for operating in town for 50 years or more: Barrett Electric, Bobby’s Apizza, DC Hall Rental Service, DeFrancesco & Sons, Fidelity Underwriters, Knightsbridge Supply, Midway Services, Nova Remodeling, Ochencowksi Family, Rose Orchards, and Trioano & Sons.
The North Branford site of Pacileo’s Apizza & Pasta Restaurant on Foxon Road closes, but the owner, Albert Pacileo III, will continue to operate his Branford-based Pacileo’s Apizza restaurant.
With upgrades including a new amusement company bringing in more midway thrills for ‘tweens, the first-ever addition of circus acts, a new pyrotechnics group sparking the Saturday night fireworks, and more community tent programming in the mix, North Branford Parks & Recreation’s 18th annual POCO Festival draws thousands to Augur’s Field for food, fun and entertainment Aug. 2 to 4.
North Branford’s 2019-’20 Teacher of the Year is named: Jackie Thurston of TVES. Thurston’s efforts on behalf of TVES and the district include her work, starting in early 2019 and extending into 2020, as a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program grant winner. The district also names its 2019-20 Building Teachers of the Year. They include Thurston, TVES; Amber Lake, Jerome Harrison Elementary School (JHS); Kaitlyn Pierce, NBIS, and Christopher Reynolds, NBHS.
On Aug. 21, Joe DeFrancesco III leads an interested cadre of supporters, including area legislators, into rows of pungent, mature hemp plants growing on the family’s North Branford farm. The family also operates the DeFrancesco farm stand at 349 Forest Road. The farm and greenhouse visit was followed by Alex DeFrancesco providing a sneak peek at the farm’s new Stewards of the Land brewery at 418 Forest Road.
Students arriving at North Branford Public Schools’ (NBPS) four buildings for the first day of school on Aug. 28 were greeted by administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and some friendly faces representing NBPD.
September
During a public viewing event at North Branford auditorium on Sept. 9, supporters cheered as NBPD’s viral video popped up on TV screens across America, placing ninth in the nation during a live Lip Sync to the Rescue special aired by CBS. With 23 officers, NBPD was also the smallest force to make it into the nation’s top 10.
North Branford’s Police Commission promotes two new sergeants, Sgt. Pasquale Marino and Sgt. Steven Redente. On Sept. 24, the North Branford Board of Police Commissioners, along with Chief Halloran, hold a swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed Deputy Chief James Lovelace.
Melissa Meole, 34, of North Branford was arrested Sept. 17 on a federal criminal complaint charging her with multiple embezzlement, fraud and identity theft offenses. Over several months in 2018, Meole allegedly embezzled approximately $150,000 from Bridgeport Health Care Center Inc. and Bridgeport Manor resident trust accounts.
North Branford educators gather to honor their late friend and retired colleague, Barbara Hutchinson, on the one-year anniversary of her passing following a battle with cancer. Hutchinson’s entire 35-year career with NBPS was spent educating 2nd-grade students.
Acting in its capacity as the Water Pollution Control Authority, the Town Council votes unanimously to raise the annual sewer use fee from $435 per dwelling unit to $475 for the 2019-’20 fiscal year.
October
Outgoing Town Council members Al Rose, Anthony Candelora, and George Miller, all who are not seeking another term in the November election, are recognized by the town and congratulated by the Town Council and Mayor Mike Doody for years of dedicated service and leadership.
Just ahead of opening to the public on Oct. 5, several generations of North Branford’s Rose family gather with friends, state, and local officials and many well-wishers for a ribbon cutting celebration on Oct. 3 at the new Rose Vineyards and Winery, located at 2 Valley Road.
North Branford’s Facility and Town Center Advisory Committee votes to approve the town-owned land at 305 Forest Road as the most suitable site for the development of a new Police Department facility. As a next step, the Town Council votes to allocate $12,000 for a topographical survey of the site.
On Oct. 3, the PZC unanimously adopts North Branford’s new POCD, which becomes effective Oct. 18. It will act as a guide and vision for growth and conservation in North Branford and Northford over the next 10 years.
A proposed Blight Ordinance goes to public hearing at the Oct. 15 Town Council meeting. Several members of the public speak in favor of the ordinance, but others raise concerns. The council closes the public hearing with no vote taken on the matter at this time.
NBPS once again facilitates the annual Community Food Drive to stock the shelves of local food pantries. The 30th drive on Oct. 26 is once again supported by NBIS and NBHS student teams collecting food left at mailboxes throughout town.
Town Council candidates from both parties discuss their positions on North Branford issues during the 2019 Town Council Candidates’ Forum at the Stanley T. Williams Community Center in Northford.
November
North Branford’s first farm brewery, Stewards of the Land Brewery, cuts the ribbon to open on Nov. 1. The new business is the latest addition to the DeFrancesco Family Farm, which has been operating for five generations.
The East Haven High School/NBHS Co-op Marching Band claims the Class IIA USBands National Championship Nov. 2 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The title is a first for the co-op band under the nine-year leadership of Band Director Matt Laudano, who also took the band to its third consecutive New England state championship win this year.
North Branford voters carry the Republican’s full slate of six Town Council candidates into office, while also electing three of six Democratic candidates on the ballot to complete nine-person board, which is the town’s top decision-making body. The GOP also retains the majority on the BOE. More than 30 percent of the town’s registered voters turned out to vote in the municipal election on Nov. 5. Based on the number of votes tallied on election night, the GOP’s Bob Viglione is elected as North Branford’s new mayor and Republican Tom Zampano will serve as North Branford’s new deputy mayor. Both Viglione and Zampano will return to serve their second consecutive terms with the Town Council, joined by re-elected Republican council members Michael Doody and Rose Marie Angeloni (who served a mayor and deputy mayor, respectively, on the 2017-’19 Town Council), together with first-time GOP council members Walter Goad and Ron Pelliccia, re-elected Democratic council members Joe Faughnan and Marie Diamond, and first-time Democratic councilman Lou Paternoster. North Branford also supported retaining a GOP majority on the seven-member BOE, with the three open BOE seats in the 2019 race filled returning members including Republican Cynthia Rice, Democrat Vincent Mase, Sr., and Democrat Jana Balsamo.
At an organizational meeting of the BOE following the November municipal election, the election of officers includes the re-election of Republican Shawna Papa Holzer as BOE chair in an uncontested vote and the new election of Republican Cynthia Candelora as vice chair. Candelora is elected with four votes, unseating former vice chair and Democrat Marcey Onofrio, who receives three votes.
In celebration of Veterans Day, NBIS students host activities and a veterans’ luncheon Nov. 8. To welcome the veterans, students from Tia DePalm’s 6th grade class arrange a display of 1,200 American flags outside the school. Veterans of several branches of the armed services speak to students to share their military service experiences.
The organizational meeting of the newly seated 2019-’21 Town Council takes place Nov. 12, with Town Clerk Lisa Valenti swearing in Mayor Bob Viglione and Deputy Mayor Tom Zampano, followed by the newly formed group of seven council members. The council unanimously approves re-appointing Vincent Marino as town attorney for the new term.
NBFD responds to a call of a house fire at 398 Village Street on Nov. 30, locating and removing an unconscious victim. Without a hose line, Deputy Chief of Training Bob Colangelo entered the basement via rear window, located the female victim, and passed her out to awaiting NBFD EMS paramedics who transported her to the Yale New Haven ED. There was significant damage to the occupancy.
The results of the 16th Liberty Bank-Rotary Thanksgiving Food Drive are announced, with the North Branford Rotary Club raising a remarkable $27,924 and receiving a Liberty Bank Foundation match of $6,981, bringing the total to $34,906. Funds raised will support the Food Pantry of North Branford.
December
On Dec. 6, North Branford gathers for the annual Town Tree Lighting and holiday activities at the town-owned Augur property. The event is organized by North Branford Parks & Recreation and co-sponsored by North Branford Rotary Club.
On Dec. 13, NBHS once again hosts the annual Shoreline Heads of English Departments (SHED) Writers Workshop. The event, which drew 120 student participants from ten Shoreline Conference schools, was organized by NBHS English teacher Chelsea Dodds and included local writers leading students in writing exercises.
Police seek assistance in identifying a suspect involved in an afternoon bank robbery at Key Bank, 1715 Foxon Road, on Dec. 13.
State Representative Vincent Candelora (R-86) and State Senator Christine Cohen (D-12) applauded a State Bond Commission decision to award $54,000 to North Branford for body-worn cameras used by police, capping the state lawmakers’ bipartisan work to have the state reimburse the town for equipment purchased in 2018.
With much of the school building looking as it did when it first opened in 1964, cold hallways and other facility problems arising at aging NBHS are being addressed to keep the school up and running, even as estimated costs are on their way for scenarios provided by an architectural review for options ranging from renovating the school to “as-new” condition to tearing it down and building a new facility.
On Dec. 29, NBIS science teacher Kathleen Granfield is honored at Gillette Stadium by the New England Patriots, as a 2019 Patriots Foundation Difference Maker of the Week for her work to found, foster, and grow all-volunteer, non-profit Veteran Angler (VA) Charters, Inc. Founded in 2009 in West Haven, VA Charters, Inc. offers free charter fishing trips to veterans, especially those with severe and life-changing injuries.