The Year in Review: Branford 2011

January

Newly elected Branford-North Branford Judge of Probate Frank Forgione is sworn in as the first judge of probate serving the newly combined Branford-North Branford district (with offices in Branford Town Hall). Forgione has served as North Branford probate judge for 20 years.

The Board of Education (BOE) unveils a "Community Budget Input" initiative, inviting public input to help set priorities for the 2011-2012 schools budget.

The Stony Creek Museum gets a $75,000 state grant. The non-profit, member-based museum hopes to open in the former St. Therese Church (86 Thimble Island Road) and will use the grant for window, heating, and insulation replacement. The town-owned building has been earmarked for the museum since 2009.

At a Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting, First Selectman Anthony "Unk" DaRos clarifies he "misspoke" in December when describing that a physical document exists of a report, for which $38,000 was expensed, explaining the actions of legal firms in the Tabor Drive case.

The former Atlantic Wire Company property on Meadow Street is sold to a Branford-based real estate holding company One Church Street, LLC, for approximately $850,000.

State Representative Patricia Widlitz (D-Branford, Guilford) is appointed house chair of the Connecticut General Assembly's Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee.

St. Mary's Parish Hall becomes the area's first satellite location for Abraham's Tent, a special overflow placement program of Columbus House for New Haven homeless men.

Storm Benedict hits

Jan. 11, dumping some two feet of snow over two days and putting new Public Works Director Art Baker to the test, as well as the temporary Public Works facility at 137 North Branford Road. Baker reports the department responded well.

The state Department of Transportation announces plans for a project across Branford-North Branford town lines at Route 139. The project will reconfigure a significant section of hilly, curving Route 139 where it intersects with Valley Road and School Ground Road. The $3.3 million plan will begin in spring 2013.

Town Engineer Janice Plaziak announces a $75,000 Department of Economic and Community Development grant is offered to Branford for a makeover of a municipal parking lot on Montowese Street.

The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) unanimously approves Branford's part in purchasing development rights to two Queach Road properties known as Johnson's Farm. Branford will bond $580,000 and provide $200,000 from its Open Space Acquisition Fund to join Branford Land Trust (contributing $50,000) and the Connecticut Farmland Trust (contributing $508,200) to purchase the rights. The 37-acre property will remain in private hands, but be restricted from future commercial development; 3.9 acres is purchased as town land for public access along hiking trails.

Meetings throughout January further discuss a proposed building swap. First Selectman DaRos's proposal is to swap the current BOE central office building at 1111 Main Street (the former post office) with commercial property at 175 North Main Street, owned by Queach Corp. of Branford. The BOE, already in need of more room, would move to Canoe Brook Senior Center. The North Main Street facility would become the new Senior Center. On Jan. 14, an agreement is signed, but requires RTM approval.

On Jan. 24, a letter from First Selectman DaRos asks the RTM Administrative Services Committee (ASC) to put off consideration of the swap proposal until he makes a presentation to the Board of Finance (BOF) in February. Town Historian Jane Bouley attends the Jan. 24 meeting and makes a pitch to retain the historic post office building.

On Jan. 25, the full RTM votes to re-refer the swap. BOE chair Frank Carrano once again voices his concern the BOE isn't always included in plans for 1111 Main Street.

A daytime burglary takes place at a Branford home during a family funeral service on Jan. 25.

February

An onslaught of unprecedented winter storms keeps Branford's Public Works highway employees on the road.

First Selectman DaRos updates a statement he made in December regarding a $38,000 report explaining the actions of legal firms in the Tabor Drive case, explaining the report is available as a document, but cannot be viewed until pending legal matters involving a firm discussed in the report are at end.

Excessive snow-load on the vast, flat roofs of Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) create san emergency call to shut down school Feb. 3 and 4, while Branford's other schools resume after being closed on Feb. 1 and 2.

Police arrest a man they later tie to recent "funeral burglaries" in Branford and North Branford.

The BOE approves a re-worked schools budget presented by Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez. Hernandez's revisions carve away about $200,000 for a 2011-'12 proposed schools budget of $49.4 million.

The Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) conducts a public hearing on the final draft of its revised town regulations. Comments include technical questions, clarification of the use of the I-95 Exit 56 overlay, and policy-related concerns on regulations for bed and breakfasts and doggie daycare facilities.

Owners of a 135-acre parcel on East Main Street (incorporating the former Bittersweet Farms) give Inlands Wetlands Commission members an informal overview of plans to develop a mixed-use property. It includes a "big box" store believed to be Costco. The development also includes a cluster of single family homes, a multi-story residential village, office park campuses, and a lifestyle center and retail restaurant.

The Branford Compassion Club, a non-profit, volunteer-run feline rescue organization, officially opens its first facility at 2037 Foxon Road in North Branford.

On Feb. 28, the BOF learns an overall expense of $4.8 million is tied to the proposed building swap. Second Selectman Fran Walsh, with comments from Senior Center Director Dagmar Ridgway, Planning & Zoning Director Shirley Rasmussen and town attorney William Clendenen, Jr., make a presentation on behalf of First Selectman DaRos. Questions still remain, however.

March

Demolition and abatement are underway at the former Public Works building on North Main Street, to make way for phase one construction of Branford's new, $12.5 million fire headquarters complex.

Proper conduct of RTM members during public meetings becomes a hot topic after Representative Alice Lambert (D-5th) publicly makes an obscene gesture in response to resident Wayne Cooke during an RTM meeting. Later in the same meeting, Representative Gail Chapman Carbone (D-4th) rips up an unopened letter handed to her by citizen Sue Barnes, with whom she has a dispute.

An RTM Democratic party-line vote squelches a bi-partisan offer of the ASC to respond to a citizens' petition for a report on the powers and decision-making ability of the town assessor.

BHS spring musical co-directors Cathyann Roding and Toni Cartisano mark 25 years of collaboration with a significant milestone by adding BHS to a handful of schools in the nation granted first-rights release to produce The Phantom of the Opera. The production enjoys record-breaking ticket sales, with all six shows selling out in advance.

With one day left before state and federal funding will dry up, the town, Branford Land Trust, and Connecticut Farmland Trust sign off on a $1.3 million purchase of conservation easement rights to Johnson's Farm.

The BOF cuts more than $945,000 from the proposed 2011-'12 town budget. The cuts include a $325,000 reduction in the proposed schools budget. The BOF's $94 million budget represents an increase of 3.32 percent over the current budget. If passed by the RTM, the new town budget will increase the town's tax rate by 3.69 percent.

April

Potential teaching position reductions are a concern for many residents who attend BOE committee meetings in April.

Branford Education Hall of Fame inducts its 10 newest members during its 14th annual induction ceremony on April 28.

As a "for lease" sign goes up at the 175 North Main Street property considered for a proposed building swap with the town, the RTM votes to table a swap agenda item continuously re-referred since it was introduced in the summer of 2010.

The Rotary Clubs of Branford and North Branford are part of an international partnership that lands a $45,000 matching global grant from the Rotary Foundation. The grant funds six borehole fresh water wells, serving 3,745 villagers in Uganda.

The RTM formally censures Representative Alice Lambert, reprimanding her for failure to comport herself with dignity and civility during a March RTM meeting. Representative Chapman-Carbone also submits a letter terming the correspondence she tore up the same March meeting to be "personal" and not RTM related.

Progress continues at the federally funded project to enlarge and improve the Amtrak rail overpass and widen Route 1 (West Main Street) below. The road is closed overnight and into the early morning for one day, allowing bridge beams to be erected over a newly constructed side of the rail bridge.

Police Chief John DeCarlo announces his retirement from the force, effective in July, after serving here since 1997 and as chief since 2007. DeCarlo will become a full-time associate professor at the University of New Haven. He's credited with the police department's success in recent years, including a diminished crime rate and community outreach approach, combined with using the most recent research and methodologies.

First Selectman DaRos highlights many positives during a State of the Town address. Branford's dropping crime rate (down 29 percent in the fiscal year), continuing fiscal health (evidenced by a recently re-affirmed AAA bond rating by Standard and Poors and an administration working to keep expenses flat while maintaining services) are all indications of a sound town. The Grand List's 98.35 percent collection rate and revenue-producing programs including the town's ambulance service are assisting with Branford's fiscal wellbeing. DaRos said Branford will continue to focus on preparing to support its aging community, which will be 40 percent senior citizens by 2030.

Third Selectman John Opie presents a report and recommendation to the BOS, motivating the town to follow the terms of a settlement agreement arrived at in 2010 between the town administration and land owner Wayne Cooke. The settlement addresses a tax increase created when farm land belonging to the Cooke family was reclassified as light industrial.

The town's new zoning regulations are adopted by a vote of 5-0 by the PZC on April 21 and go into effect June 1, 2012.

Under blue skies on April 26, ground is officially broken for the new fire headquarters, allowing phase one construction to get underway. The first phase is expected to be completed in about 15 months' time.

Branford earns a "Tree City USA" designation for its commitment to maintaining the local urban forest and tree canopy cover.

May

Fresh from the legislative vote approving Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's taxing biennial state budget (passed May 4), Branford state representatives Pat Widlitz and Lonnie Reed and State Senator Ed Meyer, all Democrats, speak to a Chamber of Commerce audience about their response. Widlitz and Reed voted in favor of the $40.1 billion budget; Meyer voted against the budget and party lines (the budget passed 19-17 in the senate).

Students, parents, and educators crowd the RTM budget vote meeting and speak in favor of finding ways to reduce a $325,000 cut to the town's new school budget and avoid potential teacher cuts. The BOE budget of $49.17 million represents an increase of $1.4 million, or three percent, over the current school budget. The RTM follows its Education Committee's recommendation to make no additional cuts to the education budget. The RTM ultimately carves the BOF-proposed budget down from $94.1 million to $93.65 million. At about midnight, the RTM votes along party lines (Democratic majority for, Republican minority against) passing the budget. The new budget, effective July 1, increases the mill rate by 3.22 percent.

The RTM changes a policy that has in the past allowed the Branford Festival, Branford Road Race, and town fireworks event to have overtime paid by the town to cover police, fire, and public works personnel, cutting a proposed budget line item of $58,000 to $28,000. The programs are also expected to begin to pay for at least half of the expenses starting in 2012.

On May 18, the BOE heard once again from parents, teachers, and educators emphatically asking no staff cuts be made to make up the reduction in its requested budget.

June

June 4 is proclaimed Chet Blomquist Day in Branford, honoring the town's well-known outdoor enthusiast, retired physical education teacher, and contributor to many town organizations.

The annual Branford Festival on the Green starts off with a bit of stormy weather on opening Friday night, causing some entertainment cancellations, but enjoys clear skies and big crowds over the next two days.

Classmates of BHS junior Ben Backes rally for fundraiser Bucks for Ben. Backes suffered a 35-foot fall from a cliff off Pleasant Point Road in April, resulting in the loss of use of his lower body.

Branford's former landfill off Tabor Drive will fill within a year's time, prompting the BOS to approve a recommendation f to enter into an $89,200 agreement for an Investigation and Closure Plan of the Active Portion of the Land Fill.

Alcoa Howmet, an international business located in Branford, secures a $15,000 donation for local non-profit Read to Grow from the Alcoa Foundation.

At the June 8 BOE Personnel and Finance Committee (PFC) meeting, with a little juggling among finances and a lot of input based on public pleas, school's chief Hernandez fills a $324,000 budget deficit without making further instructional cuts than those already accepted by the BOE in February.

On June 15, the full BOE votes to accept June 8 budget changes and recommendations as approved by the PFC, but BOE Chair Carrano notes educators won't exit the budget process completely unscathed-the budget will require cutting four teachers at the end of the current school year.

The RTM supports transferring BOE funds of some $170,000 to help cover August 2010 emergency repair and recovery work expenses of $250,241 at Murphy School, caused when a routine replacement of an underground oil tank uncovered leaking oil and contaminated soil requiring remediation and removal. Some RTM members question the town administration's process, which caused the RTM to approve reimbursement without prior RTM approval.

Resident Wayne Cooke makes a gentlemen's agreement with a resident bearing a petition at a June RTM meeting asking that Cooke turn down the patriotic music and lessen the number of trips he takes around the Town Green with his trailered sign.

The Community House outdoor basketball court is dedicated to Dom Buonocore, recognizing the Branford icon for 50 years of service to the town, including his terms as first, second, and third selectman as well as state representative.

BHS Class of 2011 graduates on June 22 in the BHS commons, where they've gathered so many times over the past four years.

The town's educational paraprofessionals vote to unionize; a first for the group.

July

On July 1, a new 15-year lease (five years less than the previous 20-year lease) between the town and the Stony Creek Quarry Corporation is expected to improve business and local relationships.

The construction of the new fire headquarters is on schedule and experiencing cost savings, creating the potential to re-introduce some green energy innovations, such as solar photovoltaic roof panels.

The November elections race begins with Republican and Democratic town committees announcing candidates. Democrats endorse incumbent First Selectman DaRos and RTM member Andy Campbell as selectman; current Second Selectman Fran Walsh has decided not to seek re-election and will be DaRos's campaign manager. Republicans endorse business owner and resident Joy McConnell, new to running for Branford political office, for first selectman and RTM member Jamie Cosgrove as selectman.

At caucuses on July 26, the town's political parties wrap up the candidate selection process to fill slates combining incumbents and newcomers for various town positions in the Nov. 2011 municipal elections. In addition to selectmen candidates named earlier in the month, both parties endorse candidates to run for 30 RTM seats as well as candidates for town clerk, tax collector, town treasurer, and openings on the Board of Education, Board of Assessors, and Board of Assessment Appeals.

Branford-based Community Dining Room is in the midst of celebrating 25 years of service in the community, providing meal services to assist shoreline families and individuals in need.

August

On Aug. 2, the Police Union unanimously approves a new 10-year pension deal with the town. The new deal will increase the officer contribution rate from six percent to eight percent, do away with the cost of living adjustment, and provide a deferred retirement option, among other changes.

On Aug. 10, without ceremony or notification, the "tank" is taken away from its familiar corner on Montowese Street, where it has sat in front of the Armory building for more than 30 years as part of the town's Korean War Monument. Members of the town's Korean War veterans are outraged and contact The Sound as well as the National Guard, which owns the Armory property. A spokesman for the National Guard said the vehicle, actually a military personnel carrier, has been removed to Camp Niantic where it will become part of a permanent display. The National Guard is moving its Branford contingent out of the Armory building and into a newly constructed compound in Middletown. On Aug. 12, a representative for the National Guard contacts The Sound and members of the town's Korean War Veterans to notify of a major general's decision to return the tank to its former site at outside the town armory. The major general felt the vehicle was removed without realizing the value it meant to the town. The carrier will be refurbished and return sometime after Sept. 10.

The RTM votes to approve Branford's participation for another 10 years as part of the 18-town emergency medical communication system, a service required by state statute with an operating budget that relies on revenue paid each participating town. Branford's fee for 2011-'12 will be $52,639.

Police Captain Kevin Halloran is hired as the town's new police chief by the Board of Police Commissioners on Aug. 16 and will officially begin on Sept. 1, 2011. Halloran tells The Sound he looks forward to continuing to work as a team with the department's leadership, including Deputy Chief Thomas Fowler and Captain Geoffrey Morgan, also strong candidates for the chief's spot.

Members of the town's newly formed paraprofessionals union make their first demand of the BOE. Represented by a vice president of the United Electrical Workers of New England, they suggest the BOE avoid a trip to the labor board by re-hiring four former employees to fill openings now posted on the BOE website. Superintendent Hernandez strongly recommends the members apply for the open positions.

On Aug. 28, Branford is one of several shoreline communities that takes a heavy hit from Tropical Storm Irene. The storm is downgraded from a hurricane just before reaching this area, but packs a wallop along the shoreline, arriving with crashing winds at peak high tide and causing extensive erosion to area shoreline residential neighborhoods from Stony Creek to Short Beach. Water and wind wipe out seawall defenses, scoop up and redeposit sand and earth, tear away docks, and ravage shoreline roads and homes with extensive flooding. Along the shore and inland, downed trees and tangled wires leave much of the town without power for days-for many, up to eight days. In Branford, 155 roads are closed by Irene-related problems, such as fallen trees. Two homes were knocked off foundations and have to be condemned. An additional 18 homes were substantially damaged.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials tour town on Aug. 31, surveying property damage in shoreline areas to determine the need for public assistance. Town Engineer Janice Plaziak leads FEMA officials past massive gaps of eroded embankment sloping under one lane of Linden Avenue, a two-lane public road along Long Island Sound. The town intends to seek FEMA assistance for repairs. Barriers are placed to block the crumbling roadway over the beachfront and residential property is temporarily taken by the town along a stretch of Linden Avenue to allow for two-lane traffic.

Stores and area businesses begin to reopen in the week after Irene hits, giving area residents better access to gas, food, ice, water, and even chainsaws and coffee. Gas-powered generators, when they can be found, are a hot selling item.

Bones are spotted sticking out of recently eroded earth on a slope beneath Linden Avenue. The bones are removed and medical examiners determine them to belong to one to two individuals who roamed the area between 400 and 1,000 years ago.

September

Originally set to open for the new school year on Sept. 1, Branford Public Schools ultimately delays the first day of school for students until Sept. 7. The restoration of power to all town school buildings is a main factor in delaying the start of the year.

New Haven County is declared a Presidential Disaster Area on Sept. 2, and Branford residents with homes and businesses affected by Irene are encouraged to register with FEMA for assistance. On Sept. 8, two FEMA centers open in North Haven and Orange and are the closest to serve Branford residents, but they're not close enough for First Selectman DaRos. He works with other area shoreline leaders to convince FEMA to open additional centers in Guilford and East Haven on Sept. 15.

The 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 arrives in Branford with a special event, Let Freedom Soar, on the Town Green, sponsored by Branford Rotary in cooperation with the town. The town's church bells ring in unison and names of all Connecticut Sept. 11 victims are read aloud, as dozens of painted lady butterflies are released.

At a special BOS meeting on Sept. 12, a motion carries to waive bids for work to stabilize Linden Avenue and make repairs to the seawall. The majority of funding will be provided by FEMA. The work carries an approximate cost of $300,000 and is awarded to Branford-based Blasklee Arpaia Chapman. Stony Creek granite boulders will fill in the bank and metal barrier seawalls will be installed.

The M114 Armored Personnel Carrier, unofficially known as the tank, is returned to its concrete pad in front of the Branford Armory to continue serving as part of Branford's Korean War monument.

On Sept. 22, members of the Native American Heritage Advisory council credit representatives of Branford for acting with sensitivity and respect regarding unearthed Native American remains found beneath Linden Avenue in August. The remains are re-buried at an undisclosed point in the area.

The RTM turns down, by one vote, a proposal requiring the first selectman to seek further approval before initiating lawsuits.

October

The first-ever Scarecrows on the Green, a Branford Garden Club fundraiser to replace plantings damaged by Irene and add to Branford's Tree City USA designation, is a big hit. Hundreds come out to enjoy a week-long display of dozens of scarecrows on the Green, each representing aspects of sponsoring organizations.

Branford's election activity hits a high, with BOS candidates participating in a variety of debates televised on BCTV and sitting for in-depth profiles for The Sound..

The Occupy Wall Street movement comes to Branford, when digital messaging brings 70 to 100 people out to the Town Green on a Monday afternoon. The rally is followed by the group, known as Shoreline Occupy Wall Street, holding a planning meeting at the Community Center on Oct. 18 attended by about 30 interested individuals. The group organizes a second Occupy event for the following Saturday on the Branford Green, with about 15 people attending. The group will hold events in other shoreline towns over the next three Saturdays in Guilford, Madison and Clinton.

The entire population of Tisko Elementary School participates in Let's Jump, a nationwide event conducted to break the Guinness World Record of more than 20,000 people doing jumping jacks at once.

Red and white "DaRos Dishonest" signs, funded and posted by resident Wayne Cooke, begin cropping up on lawns and public property around town, mixing in with regular campaigns signs distributed by the Democratic and Republican Town committees. Many of the signs just as quickly disappear. Cooke questions the legality of removing signs on public property.

On Oct. 25, the annual Zagat survey distinguishes Branford's Le Petit Café as one of the top 30 restaurants in America for food, w ith a near-perfect score of 29 out of 30 possible points. Roy Ip, owner-chef since 1997, told The Sound he's delighted with this latest honor for Le Petit Café and Branford.

November

Branford Food Pantry puts out a call for frozen turkeys, food, and funds, noting turkey donations were down for last year's Thanksgiving holiday meal baskets, meaning 50 of the 240 Branford families requesting help didn't get a turkey for their Thanksgiving meal. In addition, more donations of food and funds are needed to bolster the non-profit, all volunteer program, which provides up to 60 pounds of weekly groceries to an average of 150 Branford families and individuals each month.

Major repairs are completed in time to restore Linden Avenue to its original two-way traffic path before winter weather sets in.

Resident Wayne Cooke apologizes for smearing a substance known as Bird Gel on about 20 of his lawn sign in an effort to curb sign thefts. Police order the Public Works Department to remove all "DaRos Dishonest" signs on display as a matter of public safety.

On Nov. 8, Branford's seven polling places field a healthy turnout of 39 percent of the town's voters, who return Democratic incumbent Anthony "Unk" DaRos to the first selectman's seat for a sixth term with 3,930 votes. Andy Campbell (D) is elected second selectman (3,579 votes) and Jamie Cosgrove (R) is voted in as third selectman (3,331 votes). Although she will not serve in an elected office, Republican candidate Joy McConnell takes 3,005 votes in her first bid for a town office as Republican candidate for first selectman. Democrats were also the town's choice for town clerk, town treasurer, and tax collector and drew the highest votes for spots in the BOE, Board of Assessors, and Board of Assessment Appeals. Republicans did make gains, especially within the 30-member RTM, where they picked up two seats.

Police charge Wayne Cooke with reckless endangerment in the Bird Gel sign incident. Two weeks later, the charge is nolled in New Haven court.

Led by director Cathyann Roding, BHS Concert Choirs deliver a check for $13,000 to Branford Counseling Center's Basic Needs Program. Roding and the students worked to raise the money by putting on a Rock n' Roll Over Beethoven concert at Yale's Woolsey Hall.

The Stony Creek Puppet House Theater is put up for sale after non-profit Stony Creek Puppet House Foundation announces events have led to the termination of the foundation's lease at the 128 Thimble Islands Road building. Despite an original intent to raise money to restore the building and install a community-based arts center with educational components, inflated building costs and numerous building code violations proved the renovations would be cost prohibitive, said Foundation President and Co-founder Greg Nobile. The foundation will directly fund shoreline culture and arts programs and continue to bring initiatives and arts programming to the area, such as Puppet House on Tour.

The BOE is looking to move its central office into WIS, following Superintendent Hernandez's survey of BOE properties with viable space. The BOE votes to approve a recommendation to focus on repurposing the former WIS industrial arts area for the offices. Next, Hernandez will come back to the BOE with a figure for an architectural design plan and the BOE will bring a funding request to the BOF. Hernandez said moving the central office to WIS would give the town "multiple options" for what could be done with the current BOE space at 1111 Main Street.

Overwhelming community response help frozen turkeys "fly" into Branford Food Pantry, exceeding an appeal for assistance. More than 700 birds are ready to be given away in Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meal baskets.

Branford adds a new community sing to its holiday parade and tree lighting, encouraging residents to gather on the Green after the big parade and tree-lighting on Nov. 26 to sing Christmas carols with the BHS Concert Choir. The sing is a program of the Puppet House on Tour initiative.

The Connecticut Hospice includes a Palliative Care Hospital that is this month named the first facility in the nation to receive the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for programs providing relief and prevention of suffering in patients.

December

On Dec. 6, the Branford Educators Association and BOE agreed on a new, three-year teachers contract that includes a first-year salary freeze and approximate one percent raises in years two and three, for an increase of 5.73 percent in total contract costs. The overall contract delivers a total cost reduction of some nine percent when compared to the current contract, which delivered three percent raises and irked many in the community when it was completed three years ago. The new contract, which also introduces optional health savings account plans, begins July 1, 2012.

At the Dec. 14 RTM meeting, BOE chairman Carrano receives both praise and questions on the new teachers' contract, which does not need RTM approval due to being a "stipulated agreement" reached during arbitration. Carrano said he felt the teachers and BOE should be praised for delivering an agreement that is the lowest cost to the town in his memory.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy arrives at the steps of Town Hall to announce Branford will receive two Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants totaling $180,000 to improve perimeter walkways and lighting around the Town Green and to fund a housing assessment needs study for the town.