January

Green schools equaled saving green as the schools' Director of Facilities Mark Deming announced green initiatives at town schools had saved $124,293 in 2009.

Three men were lucky to be alive after an accidental electric shock incident at their rooftop worksite on Meadow Street. On Jan. 7, Branford brothers Rory and Travis Moody were working for Billy Twyford of All Aspects Carpentry, North Branford, when their ladder-lift touched a power line. All three men were shocked and seriously injured; two suffered heart attacks at the scene. Branford Fire Chief Jack Ahern reported fire and emergency personnel arrived within two minutes of the 911 emergency call, delivered CPR on the scene, and had the three removed by ambulance within four minutes' time.

The Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) was deciding on the merits of installing a 125-foot tall monopole cell tower on commercial property in an otherwise residential neighborhood, at 123 Pine Orchard Road. A December hearing drew more than 100 community members who spoke out against the idea. The CSC accepted more comments through Jan. 14 and is expected to ultimately render a decision by

March 15.

A Comcast supervisor was in serious condition after a near-fatal stabbing at the Comcast building, 44 North Branford Road. Douglas Magee of Guilford endured stab wounds to the neck. Magee was found unconscious by a co-worker. Emergency responders believed his fall into a snow bank may have slowed Magee's metabolism enough to help save his life. February

A "Sunday Jam" fundraiser sold all 350 tickets and raised money to help defray medical bills and other expenses piling up for January electric shock victims Rory Moody, Travis Moody, and Billy Twyford. All three men were able to attend the event.

Six Chinese students, their vice principal, and a teacher visited Branford High School (BHS) and stayed with host families between Feb. 2 to 10, part of an academic exchange between BHS and Weifang

No. 1 Middle School in Shandong, China.

The Connecticut Supreme Court, by unanimous decision, reversed a lower court jury verdict against Branford in the Tabor property eminent domain dispute, saving the town the possibility of paying out in excess of $12 million awarded to developer New England Estates in 2004. The Supreme Court upheld two related cases against Branford, delivering a $4.6 million court award to two former property owners.

At the Feb. 17 Board of Selectmen's (BOS) meeting, more than 100 residents turned out to either show support or rancor for the recent Tabor court reversal decision. Many questioned Supreme Court language in the ruling that the town had acted "dishonestly" in the eminent domain taking of the 77-acre parcel.

March

Four years later, police still haven't brought to justice the murderer of Short Beach resident Kathy Hardy, a mother of three who died in an arson fire at her rented home on

March 7, 2006. Police have conducted thousands of hours of interviews with more than 100 people and will continue to investigate leads.

The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) approved a request to add $5.35 million to an original appropriation of $5.55 million for costs related to the acquisition of the Tabor property.

Branford was rated AAA again by Standard & Poor's Rating Services. The rating was first achieved in 2009.

The town moved forward with plans for a new firehouse, hiring Connecticut-based Turner Construction Company to finalize construction documents for a $10,000 flat fee. If the project were approved, Turner was to be named construction manager, earning 2.5 percent of the estimated

$10 million-plus project cost.

The CSC conditionally approved a 125-foot tall monopole cell tower at 123 Pine Orchard Road. Meanwhile, legislators Lonnie Reed (D-Branford), Deb Heinrich (D-Madison), and Pat Widlitz (D-Branford, Guilford) push for legislation restricting the siting of new telecommunications towers.

Resident Jane Miller received a Congressional Gold Medal for her role as a World War II civilian test pilot with the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). Miller was among five Connecticut women and approximately 300 surviving WASPs nationwide to receive the honor.

April

The Board of Finance (BOF) recommended a proposed

$91 million budget for 2010-2011, with a year-to-year expenditure increase of 2.97 percent. The 2009-2010 mill rate of 23.58 would stay the same. The BOF's largest cut whittled $600,000 from the proposed education budget to

$48.2 million. The town budget headed to the RTM for final approval.

After 20 years, Branford Townhouse Diner & Restaurant closed, moving out of a shopping plaza on North Main Street undergoing extensive renovation.

Democrat Patricia Widlitz announced she'd seek her ninth term as state representative for Branford-Guilford's 98th District in the fall 2010 elections.

A "State of the Town" meeting hosted by First Selectman Anthony "Unk" DaRos showed Branford faring especially well in emergency response services, public safety/policing, finance, and land use while demand was up for social, senior, and library services.

Republican David Goclowski made his first foray into the political arena, challenging incumbent Lonnie Reed (D) as state representative for Branford's

102nd District seat.

Margaret "Peg" Hall, a Branford recycling legend, retired as solid waste/recycling manager after 22 years. Hall picked a fitting retirement date, April 22, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

A blaze at Branford Hills Apartments gutted one apartment, sent one civilian to a hospital burn unit, and injured two firefighters. The cause was to be investigated, but likely was accidental, according to Branford Assistant Fire Chief Shaun Heffernan.

The RTM moderator called on the RTM Administrative Services Committee to meet and finalize all at-large agenda items time for the next full RTM meeting. The committee had not met since

Jan. 25. Four consecutive cancellations were blamed on weather and scheduling conflicts.

Republican Cindy Cartier announced she would run for the 98th Assembly District Seat to represent Branford and Guilford. Cartier, a Guilford selectwoman, would challenge incumbent Democrat Pat Widlitz in the November election.

After taking top prizes at the Verona International Music Festival, more than 100 members of BHS Concert Choir remained in Italy for up to eight additional days, as ash spewing from an Icelandic volcano closed all flight paths over Europe. The group safely returned home in small groups as flights finally resume.

A shocking murder took place outside the Meadows condominium. Victim Vajinder Toor was shot on the morning of April 26. The first-year fellow at Yale School of Medicine was gunned down by Lishan Wang, a former associate. Wang shot Toor five times and also shot at Toor's pregnant wife, who ducked behind a car and was not wounded. Neighbors called 911 as Wang fled in a van, which Branford police quickly apprehended slightly more than a mile away. Police found 1,000 rounds of ammunition and the names of two other former associates among Wang's possessions.

May

An independent consultant hired by the BOE said her community outreach effort to gather input on hiring Branford's next superintendent of schools showed a "palpable loss of public trust" with those in charge of Branford Public Schools.

Commercial shellfishing prepared to come to Short Beach as the town's Shellfish Commission announced it would open four "relay beds" there.

After making $100,000 in cuts, the RTM approved a $91 million town budget for 2010-2011. The mill rate stayed flat at 23.58, but the October 2009 property revaluations would cause some property owners to still see an increase to their property tax rate.

The BOS backed a proposal to join with Branford Land Trust and Connecticut Farmland Trust in purchasing conservation easement rights to more than 30 acres of property known as Johnson's Farm off Queach Road. The proposed $1.3 million purchase included Branford's buying 3.9 acres outright to link public hiking trails from Supply Pond to Pigsah Brook Preserve. The proposal was to be considered by the RTM.

June

Guilford-based VNA Community Health Care, originally the Visiting Nurse Association of Branford, celebrated its 100th anniversary with a birthday party in Branford.

The Branford Festival returned for three days of entertainment and family fun on the Branford green. The town tradition celebrated its 26th year.

Citizens were given petition power as the RTM voted to allow another way for residents to introduce items for RTM voting consideration. Petitions must be supported by signatures of at least 50 registered voters.

The BHS Class of 2010 graduated on the Town Green, with 296 students' receiving diplomas.

First Selectman DaRos brought the idea of a property swap to the BOS and the BOE. The proposed swap would trade the town's former post office (now home to the BOE) at 1111 Main Street for a large commercial building owned by Queach Corporation of Branford, at 175 North Main Street. DaRos proposed moving the BOE into the larger Canoe Brook Senior Center and renovating 175 North Main Street as the town's new senior center.

The Planning & Zoning Commission invited public input on a new draft-in-progress that revised and updated some Branford Zoning Regulations.

Branford Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking marks its 10th anniversary June 23.

Branford Judge of Probate John Donegan, (D) announced he would retire at the end of his 2010 term. Democrat Keith Sittnick, a probate attorney and Branford resident, announced he would run as the Democratic candidate in November for the newly formed Branford-North Branford District Judge of Probate. Sittnick was endorsed by Branford and North Branford Democratic Town committees.

Democratic incumbent Ed Meyer received the endorsement of the Democratic Town Committee in his bid for re-election as state senator in the 12th District in November.

Republican Lisa Davenport received the endorsement of the Republican Town Committee in her first state political race, running for the State Senate seat in the 12th District in November.

July

Attorneys for New England Estates announced they'd petition the U.S. Supreme Court for a review of the State Supreme Court's February decision reversing a judgment against Branford in the Tabor eminent domain dispute.

Branford's named Hamlet Hernandez as the new superintendent of schools. The North Branford resident was assistant superintendent with Hamden Public Schools before he was hired by an official vote of the BOE.

At a packed RTM Administrative Services Committee meeting, several senior citizens and others spoke out about a proposed senior center. Some liked the idea of renovating 175 North Main Street; others wanted to see other choices considered.

The Blackstone Library asked for and received an additional $70,000 to put a protective liquid encapsulation finish on the dome of the 1896 library building. The library would kick in $95,000 not spent on a less-desirable roof fix when the building was

refurbished several years back.

The RTM adopted a resolution strongly disapproving of the Shellfish Commission's decision to open Short Beach waters for commercial shellfishing and urged the town to determine the limit of the commission's authority. Later in July, Town Attorney William Clendenen, Jr., provided an assessment describing the RTM as having final authorization in approving shellfish leasing contracts in Short Beach.

August

Voters in the state election primaries gave Branford's new seven-district polling places a test drive on Aug. 10. Branford's increase from five to seven voting districts, the first in 50 years, was approved in 2009. The district change became effective in March 2010.

The BOF approved a

$12.5 million plan for a new fire headquarters, moving the issue forward for an RTM final vote. The new facility would require moving the current Public Works Department to a new location in order for the two-phase construction work to begin at the North Main Street site. In a meeting later in August, the RTM Administrative Services committee failed to make a recommendation on the fire headquarters after questions were raised regarding a proposed temporary building lease for the Public Works Department. The firehouse proposal headed to the RTM for a final vote in September.

After years of fundraising, the brand-new Soundview YMCA facility cut the ribbon on its new facility on East Main Street. A membership drive that began in March was on pace to meets its goal. The 38,000-square-foot facility would include two swimming pools, exercise and community rooms, and outdoor day camp facilities. Planning and fundraising for the next phase of the project, including an indoor running track, gymnasium, sports courts, and a daycare wing, were underway. The facility would serve the shoreline including Branford, North Branford, East Haven, and Guilford residents.

The RTM Administrative Services Committee voted to recommend Branford partner with Branford Land Trust and Connecticut Farmland Trust to make a proposed $1.13 million purchase of a conservation easement to land known as Johnson's Farm on two parcels on Queach Road. Branford would contribute $780,000 to help keep the lands development restricted, preserving it for use primarily as farmland. Branford would buy outright (for $170,000) a 3.9-acre parcel of the land for public use, linking Supply Pond and Pigsah Brook hiking trails. The full RTM still needed to approve the deal.

The Shellfish Commission voted to table, indefinitely, the proposed leasing of shellfish beds in Short Beach, but also stated it wouldn't end its pursuit of the matter, based on a state mandate the commission felt supersedes a town ordinance giving the RTM final say in leasing beds in Short Beach.

Senior citizens filled an

Aug. 27 meeting designed to give more information from the town about the proposed new senior center at 175 North Main Street. The town shared plans and drawings showing proposed additions and renovations to the building.

September

During the annual "Parade of Flags," the BHS student center was named the Edmund C. Higgins Student Center in honor of the man who served as BHS principal for 19 years before retiring in 2008. Higgins attended the event with local leaders and educators.

The Republican members of the RTM issued a press release outlining alternatives to moving Public Works, instead of taking a temporary lease at a North Branford Road facility. The options sought to save the town money and find a permanent home for Public Works before the firehouse was approved, according to the Republican RTM members.

On Sept. 15, the RTM, by unanimous vote, approved the $12.5 million plan for the new fire headquarters. The RTM also voted to transfer $600,000 to allow Public Works to make temporary move to garage space on North Branford Road.

A flap erupted at a BOS meeting after Democrats Anthony "Unk" DaRos and Fran Walsh refused to second a nomination by Republican John Opie for a new BOF member, Jennifer Aniskovich. At a later meeting, Aniskovich was appointed to the BOF by a vote of two (Walsh, Opie) with one abstention (DaRos).

October

The town cut a deal with attorneys for New England Estates (NEE) to avoid the possibility of heading to U.S. Supreme Court. NEE was petitioning for a review of a state Supreme Court reversal of a decision against Branford in the Tabor eminent domain property dispute. Branford was to pay $3.4 million to avoid the risk of costs which could have exceeded $19 million if the appeal reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Two cases against the town involving NEE and one other case against Branford involving Thomas Santa Barbara Jr. et al would be settled. The settlement closed a long chapter in the town's history during a dispute stretched over nearly eight years' time.

The Town Engineer's office was fielding calls from residents confused by offers to increase their flood zone insurance as news of new Flood Insurance Rate Maps's (FIRM) going live Dec. 17 was announced.

After Costco announced it would no longer seek a new home on "The Rockpile" in neighboring Guilford, talk around town turned to the possibility of wooing the retail giant to Branford. Branford Economic Development Chairman Joe Gordon confirmed Branford would stand to gain about $500,000 a year in tax revenue from a Costco store in town.

Queach Corporation of Branford gained approval from Planning & Zoning for a proposed building use change at 1111 Main Street. The corporation, which owns 175 North Main Street and still didn't have a deal with the town in the proposed "building swap" that would gives the company ownership of 1111 North Main Street, wanted to explore the possibility of developing the site. The PZC ruled that the former post office building could be converted from office space to office/retail space.

"Water Wonders" an all-day, all-things water community event, took place on and around the Branford Green.

Dr. Thomas Steitz, a 2009 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, choose to visit with students at BHS for a day in response to an invitation from the town to celebrate the Branford resident's achievement.

America's top Federal Highway Administration official, Victor Mendez, made a whistle stop in Branford during a tour of state projects funded by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). A $70 million, five-year ARRA project was underway to widen the Amtrak bridge at its U.S. Route 1 underpass (West Main Street).

November

Branford voters carried Democrats back to Hartford, bucking a national trend largely supporting Republicans in other state's election races in November. Sixty percent of registered Branford voters, a record number, came out to vote. Branford's elected state officials are State Senator Ed Meyer (D), State Representative Lonnie Reed (D) and State Representative Pat Widlitz (D). The town supported Republican Frank Forgione, who won the election to become the first Branford-North Branford District probate judge beginning January 2011.

The Civil War Monument on the Green was recognized on its 125th anniversary with a ceremony at town hall.

The RTM recommended the town form a committee to address the "building swap" issue, to include members of all parties involved and community representatives, during a meeting in whcih Queach Corporation family member Vincent Giordano, Jr., said his company would have to call the building swap deal off if a decision can't be reached by the end of 2010. BOE Chair Frank Forgione also attended the meeting to describe what he characterized as a lack of information's being supplied to the BOE with regard to the swap. The town later asked the BOE to look into at the feasibility of moving from 1111 North Main Street to 175 North Main Street.

December

Residents were encouraged to register for a new emergency notification system, "B-Informed' that would allow the town's police and fire departments to send notices of emergencies, public safety messages, and crime activity to any resident's phone, text, and/or email.

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced the Stony Creek Museum would receive a $75,000 state grant. The money was to be used to upgrade a furnace, supply new windows, and otherwise refurbish the former St. Theresa's Church building, owned by the town, and designated the new home of the yet-to-be opened museum in 2009.

Branford rail station's expansion wass on schedule to be completed by spring 2011, according to Rell, who toured the site in December.

The BOE voted to support a feasibility study showing it could relocate to 175 North Main Street with about $100,000 in renovation and technology infrastructure upgrades. First Selectman DaRos reiterated at an RTM Administrative Services committee meeting that he did not want seniors left out of the equation, stressing that a home for the senior center, at 175 North Main Street or elsewhere, needed to be a part of the building swap equation. The BOE agreed to look into moving a program out of the former Indian Neck School to allow for the potential of having that site become the town's new senior center.

The RTM would review contracts signed on Dec. 15 between buyers including the town, Branford Land Trust, and Connecticut Farmland Trust and sellers Stephanie Paige and William Johnson III for a conservation easement on two Queach Road parcels known as Johnson's Farm. Branford's share of the $1.15 million investment would require spending $200,000 from the town's open-space fund and bonding an additional $580,000.

CTriad, a three-pronged safety program teaming up Branford seniors, Branford emergency services and community businesses, celebrated its third successful year of programs and events with a gathering of supporters and seniors at the Canoe Brook Senior Center.