Keep Our Kids Safe

Another incidence of school violence in the headlines today. Our children are not supposed to be in harm’s way while attending school. Some would say we live in a different world today, and we do, but the fact of the matter is that school violence is down from what it was ten years ago. Not a comforting fact for those who have lost loved ones to this senseless violence, but a fact none the less. This doesn’t mean we drop our guard and do nothing to protect our children. All reasonable efforts should be made. This is why the Town Councils recent cut of the security upgrades for our schools are so distressing. It is difficult to imagine that this Council, which has continually funded public safety increases would support a motion to cut security in schools. How quickly we forget about the public outcry for safety in schools.

Town Budget Proposal

The Proposed Town Budget is 42,152,839. Cuts have brought the mill increase down to .94 from 1.33. Here are some highlights of the budget.
Click the title

TVES Cafeteria: Food for Thought

Had TVES cafeteria not been packed with supporters of both the library and middle school projects one would have to wonder if the outcome would have been the same. The chairman of every committee, board, and commission sets the agenda for a meeting. In this case the mayor is the chairman for the council but the agenda was clearly not his own. The discussion at meetings is meant to be heard by the public. There were so many side discussions going on from within the council that you couldn’t follow, let alone hear what was going on. Councilor Bigalow came prepared with a copy of local statues that were confirmed by the town attorney. The mayor must certainly have access to the town attorney. So what then was the objective for a special meeting? If as Councilor Doody stated the town is slit 50-50 over the library renovations, where then were the other 50%? They must be as passionate as those who are for two libraries. Unless of course they all were there, all ten of them. I would have more respect for those that sit on the council if they just spoke their minds and not wiggle around behind the scene trying to affect the council vote. The outcome of the special meeting was, if I understand it correctly, that major projects will be put on the ballot during the election cycle. So, now a final decision will wait 2 years to get on the ballot so a new council can overturn it and wait another two years to put that on back on the ballot. One commenter made a good point about the addition to Branford High school. That project was way over budget, but Branford doesn’t have the benefit of a professional Town Manager, their projects are run by their elected officials.

Reminder

Tuesday, April 3rd at TVES the Town Council will hear the town manager's budget request. The BOE will make a presentation to the council as well. Following that will be special meeting to discuss the library and middle school projects. Whatever your thoughts are on these issues, you need to go and make your opinion known. These issues need to be resolved one way or another, no strings attached.

Final Phase is just the Begining

As the Route 80 project begins the last phase of completion, the town is beginning to discuss relocating Wall Field to Totoket Valley Park. The state is providing a $400,000 grant to relocate it due to the Route 80 construction. While the realignment of Route 139 may make Wall Field problematic for the Majors, Little League may still be able to use it for the Pee Wee Leagues. The expansion of Route 80 makes the property a potentially valuable piece of land; therefore, the town may want to sell it. Any proceeds can be used for park development at Totoket Valley. It seems that most residents want some sort of green area for community events, concerts and festivals so people are likely in agreement to develop it at Totoket Valley. What about the community center? Or the senior center? The senior program seems to work well where it is. If the town sells Wall Field, the community center will probably go with it. What are we to do with the existing program space? Do we rebuild it in Totoket Valley Park? At first blush, the answer would seem “yes”. However, before you answer the question, our residents need to answer a fundamental question: What are our needs? North Branford is very sports oriented. We can never have enough baseball and soccer fields. But what do we want in a recreation center? The Recreation Department does a wonderful job with the concerts, festivals, and trips. The town now has a potentially great opportunity to work from a clean slate and provide the town with something its residents would want. So I’m throwing it out there. . . what would you like to see or not see occur?