The Sound

BHS Class of 2009

2009-07-02T18:59:14Z

Two-hundred and sixty proud students crossed the stage in front of Branford town Hall on June 22, making their own sunshine on a cloudy evening as they opened the next chapter on their lives. Congratulations, Class of 2009!

Class Officers
President-Joseph A. Bishop
Vice President-Christopher Tarducci
Secretary-Nina Rabin
Treasurer-Daniella Curcio
Social Chairs-Charles DiLella and Jordan Lapre

Student Speaker: Joseph Bishop, Class President
Valedictorian: Stephanie Altrui
Salutatorian: Natschja Ratanaprayul
Guest Speaker: Mr. Kevin McDonough, Dean of Students
Advisor: Mr. Thomas Webster

The Branford High School Class of 2009
Gianina Acampora
Madison Altermatt
Stephanie Altrui
Ryan Anderson
Christopher Andreadis
Michael Andres
Michael Annunziata
Trevor Arjeski
Katharine Bacote
Darren Barker
Emma Barnes
Samantha Barrett
William Barron
Justin Battista
Robert Behan
Scott Berges
Dillon Bernard
Richard Beski
Shukadev Bhandari
Whitney Biancur
Joseph Bimonte
Joseph Bishop
Merissa Blitz
Sara Bly
Samantha Borrelli
Melissa Bortolan
Danielle Bourne
Robert Brockett
Benjamin Bruce
Emily Burdett
Lochlainn Burke
RachaelLynne Bush
Jason Canosa
Christian Carfora
Michael Carrano
Michelle Carrera
Gabriel Casanova
David Chadwick
Rebekah Chamberlain
Dominic Cholewinski
Hunter Church
Joseph Cipriani
Eliza Coan
Beau Cole
Blake Conlin
Alicia Connell
Louis Crotta
Nicolas Cuartas
Andrew Cudgma
Daniela Curcio
Mary Dacamara
Casey Dadio
Lucas Danker
Elizabeth Darin
Andrea DeFabio
Julia DeFrances
John Dendas
Olivia DeNegre
Robert Dextradeur
Marissa DiGioia
Charles DiLella
Katharine DiPalma
Angela Disotell
Alyssa Dolishny
George Dummar
Eleanor Durso
Shane Emery
Zachary Fair
Katherine Farnsworth
Margaret Fitter
Michael Fowler
Cole Freeman
Alyssa Gagliardi
Jaimie Gagliardi
Olivia Gall
Alexis Gallipoli
Peter Gallo
Erica Garguilo
Jamie Germaine
George Gerosa
Justin Giddings
Alyssa Giordano
Anthony Giordano
James Goglia
Isabel Goodkind
Jennifer Grillo
Rachael Gullans
Lauren Hackett
Krystle Haffke
Lindsay Hammell
Gregory Harrington
Jaclynne Hawley
Steven Hawley
Carlos Hernandez
Ralph Hernandez
Andrew Herring
Alexandria Hershman
Kyle Hodgkins
Shelby Hollingsworth
Kelsey Horrigan
Stephanie Hughes
Kristoffer Hunnicutt
Susan Hwang
James Iannotti
Jacquilyn Ingraham
Marissa Irwin
William Jakubiak
Kristin Jones
Zachary Keck
Sade Keiffer
Anthony Kelemen
Dillon Kemble
Jessica Kinney
Kyle Kmietek
Jasmine Kraszewski
Morgan Krause
Brittney Kreske
Matthew Kuhn
Jason Kwok
Elizabeth Lalor
Jordan Lapre
Christopher Lemieux
Alexis Liguori
Brittany Lindgren
Christian Lohman
Naa-Lomoley Lomotey
Zoe Lowe
Kristina Lubeski
Brandon Lucibello
Sara Mahoney
John Malavasi
Peter Maldonado
Ryan Malonis
Michael Manemeit
Michelle Manley
Melissa Mansi
Tao Markovich
Myranda May
Giuseppe Mazzella
Matthew Mazzucco
William McCauley
Meaghan McCurry
Daniel McDonnell
David McKay
Carleen McLaughlin
Jaimie McNally
Vanessa Medinger
Eden Meinsen
Michael Merrill
Patrick Michael
Valerie Milici
Alexander Miniter
Taryn Mockus
Clayton Moquet
Samantha Morgillo
Brianna Morris
Nicholas Motta
Jonathan Moughty
Anna Munafo
Gabrielle Muniz
Christopher Munson
Megan Murphy
Daniel Murray
Birtena Napoleon
Justin Narciso
Hayley Ninteau
Teddy Norman
Dylan Northrop
Christopher Norwood
Kelly OBrien
Chelsea OConnor
Mark OLoughlin
Samantha ONeill
Laura Orsene
Dallas Ortiz
Matthew Pacileo
Genna Panaroni
Ryan Parmelee
Matthew Pastore
Avani Patel
Alexa Pepe
Nicole Peruso
Dana Petersen
Ashley Pfeiffer
Garrett Pierpont
Elizabeth Pirrone
Matthew Piscatelli
Kyle Planeta
Michael Porrello
Lina Posada
Tabitha Prusski
Alexander Puchalski
Marc Purchio
Nina Rabin
Eric Raccio
Matthew Ragonese
Allison Rasile
Luke Rasile
Natschja Ratanaprayul
Lindsey Raynor
Brendan Reardon
John Records
Victoria Redding
Samita Regmi
Hadley Rentas
Melissa Riccitelli
Michael Richards
Brett Richetelli
Daniel Rimm
Dominick Rosa
Devona Royal
Dominique Ruddy
Justin Rusconi
Lindsey Russo
Paul Sadowski
Maria Salatto
Harpreet Sandhu
Austin Savastano
Matthew Schell
Todd Schroeder
Sonia Shah
James Sharretto
Joseph Sierejko
Rebekah Simmons
Pasquale Simone
Anastasia Smith
Victoria Smith
John Spignesi
Mark Spinello
Shari Stelzer
Jessica Styles
Timothy Suitor
Nicole Swirsky
Alexandre Tala
Emily Tan
Christian Tarducci
Matthew Tarducci
Elizabeth Tate
Nicholas Teodoro
Nicole Then
Stephanie Thompson
Megan Tobin
Phi Tran
Katherine Trofatter
Tyler Trojanoski
Michelle Tybus
Garrett Valentino
Melissa Villano
Fressy Villegas
John Vincent
Jessica Watsky
Rachel White
Austin Wierzel
Madison Wierzel
Billy Williams
Tevin Williams
Nicole Woods
Bradley Young
Kelsey Zielinski
Jenna Zullo

Graduation Plans

2009-07-02T18:58:22Z

The Branford High School Class of 2009 has been accepted into the following post-secondary schools:

American International College
Arcadia University
Assumption College
Bentley College
Berklee College of Music
Boston College
Branford Hall Career Institute
Bryant University
Bucknell University
Central Connecticut State University
Clark University
College of Charleston
Cornell University
Davidson College
Eastern Connecticut State University
Elon University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Emmanuel College
Flagler College
Florida State University
Fordham University
Franklin Pierce University
Gateway Community College
Georgia Institute of Technology
High Point University
Hood College
Indiana University at Bloomington
Ithaca College
Johnson & Wales University
Keene State College
Lasell College
Lesley University
Lyndon State College
Merrimack College
Middlesex Community Technical College
Mitchell College
Montserrat College of Art
New England Institute of Technology
New York University
Northeastern University
Pace University
Paul Mitchell School
Philadelphia University
Princeton University
Providence College
Quinnipiac University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rhode Island College
Roberts Wesleyan College
Sacred Heart University
Saint Joseph College
Saint Michael’s College
Salve Regina University
Sarah Lawrence College
Southeastern University
Southern Connecticut State University
Springfield College
St. Francis College
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Stonehill College
Suffolk University
Syracuse University
The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University
The Catholic University of America
The George Washington University
University of Bridgeport
University of California at Berkeley
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Hartford
University of Maine
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Miami
University of New England
University of New Hampshire
University New Haven
University of Rhode Island
University of Rochester
University of Vermont
Virginia Commonwealth University
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wesleyan University
Western Connecticut State University
Western New England College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

North Branford High School Class of 2009

2009-07-02T18:33:12Z

If the weather on June 24 offered the first test of how the North Branford High School Class of 2009 would handle post-graduation adversity, the former students proved their mettle. United by the loss of one of their own, Matthew Picciuto, in late May, the class kept their heads held high throughout a rainy ceremony and, exhorted by new Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker to “be the best version of yourself,” the 171 graduates received their diplomas and the admiration of their equally sodden friends and family.

The Class of 2009
Valedictorian Emma Missett

Salutatorian Robert Mercier

Essayist Ariana Acquarulo

Class President Joseph Lasko

Lisa Abbagnaro
Emily Abelson
Ariana Acquarulo
Alicia Adinolfi
Louis Aldrich
Christopher Amato
Stacy Andrikis
Walter Arroyo
Chelsea Astorino
Christopher Balzano
Henry Behr
Robert Benco
Brian Berlepsch
Laura Bernstein
Nicole Bouchard
Michael Boyers
Amanda Bozzuto
Bryan Canning
Danielle Cappello
Stephanie Caravedo
Kimberly Caron
Robert Caruso
Michael Cassidy
Alyssa Clarino
Michael Clark
Rachel Clark-Spear
Benjamin Clark-Spear
David Clough
Thomas Coane
Kelley Connolly
Robert Cotter
Andrew Cottiero
Salvatore Curcio
Meghan Curran
Stephanie D’Adamo
Brittni D’Urso
Bryan Davie
Loren DeAngelo
Amanda DeDomenico
Albert DeLucia
Deanna DeMatteo
Destiny DeSenti
Marie Despotakis
Nicole Desruisseaux
Elena Ding
Aryn Doyle
Michael Esposito
Gary Esposito
James Esposito
Heather Falanga
Meredith Falvey
Madelaine Fargeorge
Candice Ferraro
Jeanette Ferraro
Justin Florio
Sarah Flynn
Joseph Folz
Vincent Fragola
Christopher Frank
Melissa Fusco
Kailey Gallagher
Jared Gallogly
John Galus
Michael Gangi
George Garofano
Erica Gaudio
Christopher Gennett
Roxanne Giannotti
Gabriel Gil
Joseph Gilhuly
Brittany Giugno
Matthew Granata
Deanna Grande
Samantha Green
Melissa Grime
Corey Hagewood
Edward Harris
Melissa Hauser
Kyle Hausman
Candace Horner
Brittany Hottin
Lindsey Hottin
Alisha Jasudowich
Katrina Jette
Sarah Jones
Charles Jones
Mark Jordan
Dennis Juhasz
Felicia Juliano
John Just
Colleen Kelleher
Patrick Kiraly
Brittany Kowaleski
Jessica Langlan
Joseph Lasko
Andrew Lavoie
Brittany Lawton
George Libby
Joseph Longley
Justina Macinskaite
Cole Manceri
Rebecca Manship
Julianna Marcarelli
Erin Marcucci
Anthony Marriott
Joseph Martin
Amanda Martino
Nico Martone
James Masotta
Jonathon McCarroll
Caitlin McCarthy
Shelby McElrath
Justin McGinley
Craig McHenry
Thomas McNamara
Alyssa McNamara
Robert Mercier
Samantha Migliozzi
Emma Missett
Kailey Mitchell
Rachel Monge
James Mongillo
Katheryne Moody
Katherine Murdock
Andrew Nathman
Shary Navarro
Giexsell Negron
Kylie O’Connor
Morgan Onofrio
Ryan Onofrio
Taylor Orsillo
Nicole Paolini
Robert Parfitt
Nicholas Paternoster
Xinyou Peng
Deseray Peterson
Ashley Phelps
Chelsea Pherson
Matthew Picciuto
Amanda Pierson
Joseph Prunier
Felicia Quido
Michelle Radziunas
Erica Riccitelli
Robert Richetelli
Jeffrey Rivellini
Lucien Rizzo
Emily Robertson
Alexander Robertson
John Savo
Samantha Scavo
Gregory Scheiber
Jake Seaman
Alyssa Selmquist
Liam Shortt
Andrew Shough
Elijah Shuler
Jillian Simmons
Kirsten Smith
Sara Stannard
Katherine Sullivan
Edward Tabor
Kevin Torzillo
Michael Trischitti
John Vamvakas
Brittany Viele
Heather Vollero
Alyssa Vozza
Matthew Vumback
Thomas Walker
Carolyn Young

Atwater’s Goin’ Green: Library Renovation Set to Start

2009-07-02T18:30:50Z

By Ben Rayner, Sound Senior Staff Writer:

NORTH BRANFORD - As the Atwater Library construction project gets set to start, the town has initiated plans to include a geothermal heating and cooling system as part of the design. Lower construction costs, state grants, and the even the economic downturn have contributed to the town’s decision to include the cost saving and no-emission technology in the concept.

According to Town Manager Richard Branigan, estimates for construction costs on the Atwater project came in almost $200,000 under budget, allowing officials to consider a new geothermal heating and air-conditioning system to control Atwater. Overall the estimates for the two projects are expected to be approximately $100,000 less than projected, including the cost of the environmental control system.

Branigan said initially any discussion of such a system would have been cost prohibitive, but a new design and state grant funding could allow the town to recoup its costs in about five years. The current plan will nearly double the Atwater library’s size to 12,500 square feet and include a number of innovative features, according to library director, Robert Hull.

As at the Smith, a community room that can be accessed after hours will enhance the public’s use of the facility. Hull said the complex will be more user friendly to patrons, especially the disabled, whom the Atwater had trouble accommodating at the old facility.

“The extra square footage will be a big help. The children’s and adult’s departments will be improved. Handicap access to all levels of the library will be up to code and offer a substantial improvement over the old building,” said Hull. “We will have dedicated areas, for DVDs, audio, teen and adult areas, and children’s. The grounds itself are a huge plus. There will be a very attractive campus arrangement, which will also be a great feature. The site will mesh with the Roberts-Beers House and the barn, making for a great place to just come and sit on a bench.”

Hull also said the Atwater collection will begin an effort to emphasize history with plans to focus on North Branford history and state history with its new collection.

According to Branigan, the project will go out to bid July 9 and officials hope that work will begin in early August. The total budget for the renovation of both the Atwater and the Edward Smith library, which reopened in February after a year of construction, is $9.5 million; the Atwater project’s cost is approximately $4.5 million.

“We are anticipating a very good response to our bids. The market place is actually highly competitive now and prices are down. The town can afford the opportunity to save money and to do things that might not have been reachable in a different economic climate,” said Branigan. “The challenge now is to sort through the bids and get the lowest and most responsible bid.”

These systems have been popular in parts of Europe for many years and, though they do require geological and logistical preparations, they have a quick return on investment and have no emissions. The process works by using the ground’s constant 55 degree temperature to cool in the summer and, with the use of a heat exchange mechanism, to heat a building in the cold winter months.

The total cost of the geothermal system is estimated at $550,000, Branigan said, $150,000 more than electric heating and cooling. However, the turnaround time on the investment, after which taxpayers won’t need to pay for any environmental costs at the library, make the additional expenditure fiscally prudent, said Branigan.

The Town Council has also been made aware that a state energy efficiency grant of $66,000 could cut the payback time to one or two years. Though Hartford has not currently released further details on application criteria the state Block Grant is available to any municipality.

Meet the Commish

2009-07-02T18:28:25Z

By Ben Rayner, Sound Senior Staff Writer:

BRANFORD - Like many of the town’s tireless voluteers, Jill Marcus has served on numerous committees, boards, and positions, but now she has topped it all by making history as the first female president of the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut (PCACT).
Jill says her passion for service is longstanding and began before her arrival in Branford. According to Jill, her career in the banking industry forged a determination to affect positive change for communities.

“I worked my career in bulk at Bank of Boston and I was in charge of community affairs and public relations during that time. That’s something these big banks don’t do anymore, but back then it was a vital aspect of what we did. That was where I became involved with public service and the community,” says Jill. “I just continued to be involved in things.”

Jill has a long record of service to the Branford community, she has been: the director of the Willoughby Wallace Library, heavily involved in Democratic Town Committee affairs, part of The Branford Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking, and a candidate for the RTM (losing by only one vote!). Most recently, she served on the Board of Police Commissioners. And that’s just in Branford.

Jill has also served on numerous committees and boards statewide, including director of the South Central VNA, the board of directors for MADD, and as president of Literacy Volunteers in Waterbury. But her election as president to the PCACT is brings a new feeling of accomplishment, Jill says.

“Being on the board now is incredible. I love being a part of this process. It certainly takes time to absorb it all, but being a part of educating police boards and officers is really thrilling,” Jill says. “We also recognize officers and chiefs who make a difference. We like to foster a feeling of community with departments and the residents they protect. That’s why I am so honored to be elected to this position.”

Traditionally police commissions and the association have been boys’ clubs, but Jill says she has had great support from members and from the law enforcement community as a whole—and any talk that the election is a token office given to her as a woman is something Jill easily counters.

“I think there may have been some hesitation from some people at first, but everyone has been incredibly supportive. They didn’t elect me because the clock was running and they needed to find a woman to fill the role. I honestly believe they elected me because I was the best person for the job. The level of acceptance has been overwhelming. They are a great group of people,” says Jill. “They didn’t elect me as a face. They are a great group of guys who want to make a real difference and I am proud to lead that effort. I like to think I can bring something to the organization that they haven’t had before.”

The goal of the PCACT, according to Jill, is to keep public safety a number one priority and to lobby for law enforcement and police issues, with an emphasis on crafting policies that make a positive difference for both residents and police.

“It’s a lot of legislative issues and lobbying, sometimes with the support of chiefs, sometimes not, but basically we are a community outreach organization. We have a real influence in communities and we feel very connected, both in Branford and at the state level,” says Jill. “This is a tremendous honor and also responsibility. Everybody seems really energized and I can’t wait to get started.”

Jill will continue to serve on the Branford Board of Police commissioners while also in her duties as president of the PCACT.

“The board is one of the most apolitical commissions in town and I’ve always been proud to serve on it,” says Jill. “I am looking forward to serving on both.”

Pictured: Jill Marcus has a long record of public service in the Branford community. Jill has also just become the first female president of the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut.
Photo by Ben Rayner

Women’s Clubs Do Their Part

2009-07-02T18:25:05Z

By Ben Rayner, Sound Senior Staff Writer:

NORTH BRANFORD - The joint effort fundraiser of the Northford and North Branford Women’s clubs has helped raise more than $1,400 for local veterans in dire need of a handicapped bus to support their care. Mary Ellen Collett of the Northford club contacted Maggie Delaney of the North Branford club with the idea to help a local veteran raise funds for his brothers-in-arms, and as the result last month the groups, in cooperation with the town, organized the Honor Them with a Flag program, when.

The groups held the event on the Town Hall Green for Memorial Day and received an overwhelming response from the community, according to North Branford Women’s Club (NBWC) member Terri White. A total of 217 personalized flags were displayed in front of the North Branford Town Hall during the month of May to honor both veterans and other loved ones who have passed.

According to White, the event also forged closer ties between the two clubs.

“This was absolutely a joint effort between the two clubs,” said White. “We are planning to do future projects with the Northford club. This went very, very well and it was an enriching experience for all the members and for the community.”

These funds will go toward the purchase of a handicapped bus that can accommodate several motorized wheelchairs for veterans at the West Haven VA facility. According to White, disabled veteran Bert Francoeur’s idea proposed the idea of donating toward the bus. Francoeur decided something had to be done after speaking with a paralyzed vet who had not been out of the West Haven facility in more than two years.

The clubs raised more than $1,900 in total during this drive. They donated another $400 to the Vet’s Oasis Project, an organization that, in cooperation with community colleges, helps veterans transition back into civilian life from the military.

“That’s our special project in all this. The Vet’s Oasis does great work and for the next two years we will support the Connecticut chapter,” said White. “I think every bit helps. It may not be much money, but the veterans are very appreciative and thankful for any help at all.”

The project still needs support. Another $10,000 needs to be raised in addition to what has already been donated to place the order for the handicapped bus. Anyone wishing to make a donation may do so by mailing checks to: Columbian Charities of Connecticut, Inc., c/o Robert Goossens, Chairman of the Board, 38 Ives Street, #313, Hamden, CT 06518. Donations by check should be made out to Columbian Charities of Connecticut, Inc.; Vans for Vets should appear on the memo line.

Pictured: The six-woman committee that oversaw the fundraising effort includes (from left to right) Terri White, Carla Dextraze, Mary Ellen Collett, Gary Thomas (VA Volunteer Services state representative for the Knights of Columbus), Maggie Delaney, Eileen Lavoie, and Carmel Genera. Seated is Bert Francoeur, an amputee vet from West Haven. The committee presented him with a check for $1,400, collected during its fundraiser.
Photo courtesy of the NBWC

Police Incident Report June 17 to 23

2009-07-02T18:23:45Z

On a Whac-A-Mole Roll

2009-07-01T14:40:44Z

Intermittent rains didn’t keep the crowds away from the 25th annual Branford Festival last weekend. Three-year-old Teaghan Ramos was among those enjoying a game of Whac-A-Mole. The very active kids’ area was just one of the ways Branford families came together again at the Festival.

Photo by Adam Coppola

A Green to Envy?

2009-07-01T14:39:44Z

By Ben Rayner, Sound Senior Staff Writer:

BRANFORD - Although they don’t necessarily agree on every issue, if there’s one thing on which residents can find common ground, it’s their love for their Green. Emotions ran high discussion ranged far beyond landscaping and paving into religion and conservation at a public hearing last week that sought input into the town’s long-term plans for its historic Green.

There has been opposition and endorsement from the various entities that have a say in what occurs on the Green—among them three churches, the town, the Town Center Revitalization Review Board (TCRRB), the Green Committee, and the Town Center Merchants Association. The merchants and churches agree in principal to the plan with minor changes, but many citizens—some of whom are members of the various boards and committees—are dead-set against any changes to the Green.

The current concept focuses on realignment of the entrance and exit to Town Hall and the church complex and a change in direction of Blackstone Avenue and Taintor Street.
Those endorsing a change claim one is needed to deal with current and future use of downtown. Change supporters point to merchants’ and residents’ complaints about the confusing and potentially accident prone area.

Opponents say if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. They cite the town’s own figures that eight parking spaces will be lost in the current design and a small loss of actual green space will occur.

First Selectman Unk DaRos has been the sounding board for the opinions by moving the project along this March with a public meeting on the proposed plan. He said a plan is needed and, with one in place, accessing funding for any renovation will be far easier.

“There are a lot of ways to look at this. What we did was solicit ideas from everybody we could find, from anybody who wanted to have a say,” said DaRos. “If you have a family, you plan for the future—that’s what this is. “Remember, for right now this is probably decades off. I probably won’t live long enough to see it, but we still need a plan and that’s the reason for this exercise,” he continued. “If we have plans, we can hang onto them. That’s the reason for this. This is a plan for the future.”

DaRos said he isn’t married to one idea or design and encouraged residents to speak their mind.

“You can go ahead and take this apart. You’re not hurting anyone’s feelings, you’re not hurting my feelings,” DaRos said. “That’s what tonight is for—taking a look at this and picking it apart.”

And they did.

Town Historian and Green Committee member Jane Bouley, who spoke as a private citizen, said the aspects that the plan is proposing to change are the very ones that make the Green a unique and historic part of Branford.

“I like the entrance to Town Hall the way it is now. I love seeing the majesty of the columns,” Bouley said. “The idea of moving parking closer to the Civil War monument will take away from the grandeur of that hill. Adding retaining walls is not satisfactory to the people of Branford. Why spend all this money and not get more Green? This should be voted on by the people. This is an issue that should be decided in the voting booth by the people of Branford.”

Bouley and others have also been upset by how town officials conducted the process, claiming public input wasn’t sought quickly enough.

TCRRB Chair Otty Norwood reiterated DaRos’s call for a consensus and asked the public not to reject the concept of a long-range plan if this particular idea wasn’t acceptable.

“We strongly support the idea of a long-range plan for the Green. One way or another it desperately needs a long-range plan. This is why we in general support this idea as presented,” Norwood said. “The issue here is to protect and retain the integrity of the Green. But the idea shouldn’t be lost, because something needs to be done. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater if you disagree with his plan. Don’t disagree yet. We need your help. Don’t let this plan die.”

Consultants presented their current concept for the long-range plan, which incorporated comments from March’s meeting.

Touching on issues from separation of church and state to representation by elected leaders, residents let their views be known. A Congregational Church member made claims that unsettled land issues with the town going back hundreds of years and the religious tenets embodied in the original planning for the Green may entitle the church to certain rights above the town’s. Others shouted down any idea of the church’s rights to use of the Green and bristled at any notion of taxpayer dollars going to improve religious institutions.

First Congregational Church Pastor Earl Lind said his church is in general agreement with the latest concept and stated the development of the Green has traditionally had religious roots and those needed to be respected.

“The primary reason for the Green was religious,” said Lint. “Since 1644 we have been a key part in the development of Branford and the Green. For 200 years we have been part of this.”
Resident Joseph Gianotto said, like it or not, the separation of church and government means no tax dollars for faith institutions.

“This is going to be for the churches and nothing else,” said Gianotto. “I have a problem spending taxpayer dollars on a house of worship, no matter the denomination; whether it’s a temple or a mosque, no matter what, there’s a separation of church and state in this country.”

Down on the Farm

2009-07-01T14:38:22Z

By Ben Rayner, Sound Senior Staff Writer:

NORTH BRANFORD - Not long ago the Connecticut shoreline was still peppered with cows, farms, and the healthy vestige of a once-all encompassing dairy industry, but the small family dairy farm is now almost non-existent. The last two dairy farms in New Haven County are in North Branford and, despite recent passage by the legislature and a signature by Gov. M. Jodi Rell of a grant program designed to keep farmers afloat, the aid won’t be forthcoming anytime soon and may arrive too late to save many Connecticut dairy farmers.

Under government mandated wholesale milk prices, Connecticut dairy farmers are losing nearly $1 for every gallon of milk that they sell, according to statistics supplied by both federal and state sources. Government records estimate the state has lost 15 dairy farms in the last year alone and those still in business struggle to pay their costs while they continue losing money on milk sales.

Connecticut has somewhere between 135-151 dairy farms (with dairy farms closing at an ever-increasing rate, an exact count is difficult). According to a recent study by the University of Connecticut, the dairy industry contributes nearly $1.1 billion to the state’s economy and employs more than 4,000 people. State records show as recently as 1990, there were 500 working dairy farms and as many as 210 in 2007.

Bob and Stephanie Page, owners of Maple Tree Farm in North Branford, are fourth generation farmers, but admit the end of Connecticut dairy farming seems to be near. Bob said he has witnessed tough times for farms in the past, but the current situation is the worst in memory on his 126 acre, 65-head farm.

“Both us and the other farms are really teetering on the edge. This was coming for a long time, but the current situation has definitely made it more difficult,” said Bob Page. “These are the lowest milk prices I have seen since I started 40 years ago. Grain, labor, utilities… Energy is our single biggest cost just like everyone else. We just don’t know what to do; we are in a stupor right now. We don’t know how to do anything else. This is what we do. We’re afraid to quit, we don’t know how else to support ourselves.”

According to Page and others in the dairy industry, the complicated, complex, and sometimes random nature of milk prices, which are tied to price indexes that seemingly have no bearing on this state’s milk prices, compound the a tough market for their product. Currently dairy farmers such as the Pages get $1.10 a gallon for milk that costs them $1.90 to produce. Even with subsidies and grants it’s easy to see the business is not sustainable.

Several weeks ago the General Assembly approved a grant program for dairy farms struggling to cover their production costs and Rell signed the bill last week. According to state documents, the grant program will be created by a $10 increase in the current $30 filing fee for local land records.

The projected revenue will create a $20 million fund, $10 million this year and $10 million in 2010-11, giving 40 percent of that money to the state Department of Agriculture for emergency grants to dairy farms.

“This issue is about saving an important part of Connecticut’s economy and cultural heritage,” Rell said in a press release. “We have lost far too many dairy farms in recent years to high production costs and development pressure.”

The federal government controls the price of milk, but uses data such the cost of cheese in Chicago as determining factors in setting the value. Page said those comparisons and ties to other mid-west indexes have little to do with the price of milk in New England.

Dairy farmers across the state including the Pages are thankful for the recent legislation, but worry that until the budget passes no relief will materialize and that even with the grant program no amount of help can change the current trend. The Pages stated their ability to get Hartford to listen to concerns is hampered by the incredible hours they have to work and the fact that farmers just don’t seem to add up to a significant enough constituency for politicians to support.

“It’s hard it sounds like gloom and doom and I don’t want it to. But times are tough,” Bob Page said. “Farmers are only one percent of America, but make the food for the other 99 percent. We just don’t have a heck of a lot of clout. I have to thank the farmers in this state who did the work hard to pass this bill. I am optimistic about this bill, but in the end we just don’t have the votes to make politicians notice us. If it wasn’t for a few people who took this Hartford, it never would’ve happened.”

The Pages have tried to diversify into hay, straw, vegetables, topsoil, and cow manure, but even with a new business plan, the cost of running the farm is becoming more prohibitive.

Mural, Mural on the Wall

2009-07-01T14:35:25Z

By Ben Rayner, Sound Senior Staff Writer:

NORTH BRANFORD - You may not even notice them, but they’re everywhere and despite their sometimes temporary nature, murals not only define a space, they can define a community. Just ask Helene Zichichi of Northford, who donated her talents as a muralist on numerous projects and public buildings in town, including the children’s area of the newly renovated Edward Smith Library.

Helene says she simply liked to go big from the start of her art career and never questioned her medium. Helene’s murals can be found in a number of public and private buildings, including the high school, the Recreation Department, and, now, the Smith Library.

“I like to work big,” Helene laughs. “When my kids were young and attended pre-school, I started there with a mural and it just developed from there. I have always wanted to do murals.”

Helene says her community spirit was influenced by the goodwill of her parents. Their sense of volunteerism led her to donate numerous murals around town.

“My parents did so much volunteer work. They probably wouldn’t admit to it, but they really did so much,” says Helene. “I donated the mural in honor of them and for the influence they had on me.”

Helene says the sometimes fleeting nature of murals doesn’t deter her as an artist. According to Helene, there have been a few murals she was sad to see go or painted over, but the changing tastes, age, and owner of a mural makes it a target for evolution.

“That doesn’t seem to bother me too much. I take pictures, so I have that. I guess that’s good enough,” says Helene. “There have been a few I have gotten upset about when they went, but I don’t do murals for me, I do them for the person who asks. For me it’s a lot of fun and that’s why I do it. I get to help define a room with a mural and that is fun to be a part of. People who want a mural, especially in a home, want to express themselves in some way, so that again is very fun to develop. When the customer is happy, I’m happy.”

Helene says she jumped at the chance to donate her talents to the library, especially since she could honor both her parents with this project. Although applied-for grant money never materialized for the library murals, Helene wanted to do her part anyway.

“Debbie [Verillo, child program coordinator at Smith] and I brainstormed some ideas and we just went from there,” Helene says. “Even though the grant money didn’t come through, I can’t say no. This was something I really wanted to do, that I had to do. It’s an honor to do this. This is for my parents and for the town, so I am truly honored. I hope I can add more to the library as the years go by. Their example inspired me and it’s important to give back.”

According to Helene, she does see a distinction between “fine art” and murals. Though she does create what she describes as non-mural work, she loves doing both equally.

“I do both. The murals are what I do for other people. It’s fun to collaborate and to help someone else fulfill their ideas, but I also paint for myself,” says Helene. “I guess it’s debatable to call a mural ‘fine art,’ but some of them honestly are. I really do get excited by them, but I also do art for myself and that is an opportunity to do what I want and paint what I see, so I like both avenues.”

You can view a number of Helen’s murals in buildings around town, including Park & Recreation Department, the high school, and the Edward Smith Library. For more information about the Edward Smith Library, visit www.leaplibraries.org/nbranford; for more info on Helene and her work, visit www.muralsbyhelen.com.

Pictured: Helene Zichichi honored her parents with her images that she donated to the Edward Smith Library.
Photo by Ben Rayner

What’s the Story with…the YMCA?

2009-07-01T14:31:12Z

By Ben Rayner, Sound Senior Staff Writer:

It was stated by almost every speaker at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Soundview YMCA last week: The 40-year wait is over. This much anticipated community project galvanized volunteers and a dedicated staff to raise more than $8 million for what will be a 37,000 square foot, two-pool facility.
It’s no exaggeration to label this project as a 40 year endurance test. Civic leaders and town governments have been debating and discussing various options and sites for this YMCA, but it took the dogged efforts of an army of volunteers and donors to make the groundbreaking a reality.
Two of the biggest supporters of the project, and those whom most involved credit as the primary forces behind the it, are Y Director Doug Shaw and Capital Campaign Chair Charlie Andriole.
Shaw has been a tireless and dedicated director of the project and, according to many, never wavered in his determination to see the project through.
“Doug Shaw has truly changed my life since I came on board. Not a day has passed in the four years we’ve worked together that he hasn’t been eternally optimistic. He is incredibly enthusiastic,” said Andriole at the groundbreaking. “His enthusiasm is infectious and he deserves a lot of credit for keeping this project a success.”
Shaw said he is quite excited personally, but said the real victory is for families on the shoreline who wanted and needed this facility.
“The 40 year wait really is over,” said Shaw. “Everybody on the shoreline has been waiting for this facility and I am proud to be part of the group that brought this about. This is a celebration of the donors who rallied around this idea, the volunteers who raised more than $8.2 million for the project, and for the community, you, who really wanted this YMCA built.”
The new Soundview YMCA is located on 24 acres near the Guilford-Branford town line at 628 East Main Street (Rte. 1) and is expected to open in June 2010. For more info and a look at the designs and future plans, visit www.soundviewymca.org.

Pictured: There weren’t enough shovels to go around at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Soundview YMCA. Pictured (from left to right) are state representatives Lonnie Reed and Pat Widlitz, Jennifer Lamb from Rosa DeLauro’s office, State Representative Deb Heinrich, Guilford Selectman Veronica Wallace, Guilford First Selectman Carl Balestracci, State Senator Ed Meyer, Branford First Selectman Unk DaRos, Guilford selectmen Sal Catardi and Joe Mazza, and North Branford Deputy Mayor Joanne Wentworth.

Photo by Ben Rayner

All That Jazz Comes to the Green

2009-07-01T14:27:53Z

By Ben Rayner, Sound Senior Staff Writer:

BRANFORD - Don’t snicker, but Branford has quietly become the epicenter of jazz on the East Coast—thanks to Ed Tankus and the folks behind the Branford Jazz Festival. This jazz and music devotee started broadcasting jazz on the net last year and he has organized a free concert series on the Green that has merchants anticipating crowds and the crowds getting wooed by some super and diverse local talent.

In sponsorship with the Town of Branford, the Branford Festival, the Park & Recreation Department, and Tankus’s online jazz station, Blue Plate Radio, the Green will host a unique jazz event every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. from July 9 through Aug. 20.

Tankus said his love for music was piqued as a kid when he was inspired by the Ramsey Lewis Trio classic The In Crowd. It eventually propelled him to launch his online jazz station. According to Tankus, the market was underserved and jazz fans were desperate to find outlets and avenues for their jazz passion.

“A constant complaint I heard in the jazz circles was there were simply no 24 hour jazz stations on the East Coast. I was wondering if that could be true and sure enough they were right. There are programs—jazz programs on college radio—but nothing that serves jazz fans 24/7,” said Tankus. “I started doing some research as to the best way to serve this fan base. I didn’t want to start a magazine—that’s too much work—but after asking around and doing some work, the idea of an online station made sense.”

Tankus said the festival on the Green grew out of the response from listeners of the station who wanted access to events. Merchants and town officials were also quick to get on board with the idea of a family event that brings shoppers downtown.

“The people I’ve met in the jazz world are very approachable and very inspiring. Unlike rock, where you never have a chance to meet your musical heroes, in jazz you can. They are wonderful, real, accessible people,” Tankus said. “That’s what the Branford Jazz series is all about. We have this big Green, a great spot to hear great music.”

Branfordjazz.com has posted everything a jazz lover will require to have fun at the concerts, including detailed parking maps, schedules, and links to merchants. According to Tankus, any jazz or music fan will enjoy the spectrum of talent scheduled for the festival.
“We want to make Branford a destination for arts and music and the town, everyone involved, has been behind it and fully supportive, right from the start. This is a great way to showcase the artists, Branford, and downtown,” Tankus said.

He’s as jazzed up about the individual artists as he is about the event, as well.

“We are so excited about the artists. They are all from Connecticut and some have national followings. Air Born has six CD releases and they have hit the national top 20 with their music. There will be all different flavors of jazz: smooth, fusion, Latin, new jazz, and straight-ahead jazz. Take a look at our website to find out more about the music.”

On The Green Series, sponsored by branfordjazz.com, is every Thursday night from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Green from July 9 to Aug. 20. This is a free event. For more info, email info@branfordjazz.com or visit www.branfordjazz.com or www.blueplateradio.com.

Pictured: Ed Tankus, organizer of the Branford Jazz Festival and founder of the online jazz source Blue Plate Radio, hangs out with his friend Al Jareau. Tankus is helping to make Branford the epicenter of East Coast jazz by bringing a host of great local talent to the Branford Jazz fest, free on the Green every Thursday night from July 9 to Aug. 20.

Photo by Ben Rayner

Police Incident Report June 10 to 17

2009-07-01T14:26:19Z

The Sound publishes a Police Incident Report to inform residents of incidents, criminal activities, and police responses occurring in Branford and North Branford. As those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the report does not include names. It may be edited for length and content.

Branford

Wednesday, June 10
• A 27-year-old New Haven man was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and operating a motor vehicle without a license.
• A 28-year-old man of Cedar Street was charged with disorderly conduct. In the same incident a 20-year-old woman was charged with assault in the third degree.
• A 27-year-old Milford woman was charged with criminal damage of landlord’s property in the first degree.
• A 49-year-old Northford man was charged with cruelty to animals and failure to vaccinate a pet.
• A 27-year-old woman of Monticello Drive was charged with risk of injury to a minor and disorderly conduct.

Thursday, June 11
• A 38-year-old North Branford man was charged with criminal damage of landlord’s property in the first degree.
• A 38-year-old man of Hill Street was charged with disorderly conduct.

Friday, June 12
• A 24-year-old man of Leetes Island Road was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, traveling too fast for conditions, and failure to obey a control signal.
• A 27-year-old man of Stone Ridge Lane was charged with breach of peace, threatening, reckless driving, and operating a motor vehicle while under license suspension.
• A 32-year-old woman of Northford Road was charged with disorderly conduct.

Saturday, June 13
No arrests were made.

Sunday, June 14
• A 25-year-old man of Montowese Street was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Monday, June 15
• A 44-year-old man of Brushy Plain Road was charged with disorderly conduct and threatening. He was processed and released on a $5,000 bond.
• Two 19-year-old Guilford women were charged with larceny in the sixth degree following a shoplifting incident.
• An 18-year-old man of Averill Place was charged with larceny in the fifth degree.

Tuesday, June 16
No arrests were made.

North Branford

Wednesday, June 10
• An 18-year-old North Haven man was charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and use and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• A 32-year-old Guilford man was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to drive in the proper lane of a multiple-lane highway, and failure to carry driver’s license.

Thursday, June 11
• A 23-year-old Guilford man was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, use and possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to drive in the proper lane of a multiple-lane highway.
• A 20-year-old Guilford man was charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and use and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• A 55-year-old man of Arthur Road was issued a misdemeanor for evading responsibility in the operation of a motor vehicle following an accident in which there was property damage or bodily injury (fleeing the scene).

Friday, June 12
• A 20-year-old East Haven man was charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and use and possession of drug paraphernalia after he was stopped and issued a citation for failure to have two headlamps illuminated. In the same incident a 20-year-old Branford woman, a 19-year-old woman of Hillside Road, a 22-year-old East Haven man, and a 21-year-old East Haven man were charged with possession of less than four ounces of marijuana and use and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Saturday, June 13
• A 49-year-old North Haven woman was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, and failure to keep prescription drug in original container.
• An 18-year-old Hamden woman was issued a misdemeanor for speeding at over 60 miles per hour on a road.
• A 52-year-old New Haven woman was issued a misdemeanor for misuse of plate, failure to have insurance, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license.
• A 28-year-old woman of Forest road was issued a misdemeanor for failure to have insurance and operating a motor vehicle while under license suspension.
• An 18-year-old man of Coach Drive, an 18-year-old man of Rose Lane, a 19-year-old man of Lake Road, an 18-year-old man of Holly Mar Hill Road, a 19-year-old man of Rivaldi Drive, and a 19-year-old man of Village Street were all cited for possession of alcohol by an underage person.
• An 18-year-old man of Woodland Drive in Northford was cited for failure to display plate/sticker and possession of alcohol by an underage person on a public street or highway.
• An 18-year-old New Haven man was cited for possession of alcohol by an underage person on a public street or highway.

Sunday, June 14
• A 38-year-old man of Branford Road was issued a misdemeanor for failure to have insurance, failure to display plate/sticker, and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

Monday, June 15
• A 44-year-old Guilford man was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of narcotics, use and possession or drug paraphernalia, speeding, and failure to drive right.
• A 40-year-old man of Twin Lakes Road was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and failure to drive in the proper lane of a multiple-lane highway.

Tuesday, June 16
• A 53-year-old man of Lillian Street was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal violation of a protective order.
• An 18-year-old Madison man was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and operating a motor vehicle without a license.
• An 18-year-old Branford man was cited for simple trespass.

Police correspondent Jason J. Marchi compiles the Police Incident Report.

Prota Rounded the Bases and Wound Up at Home

2009-06-30T19:46:59Z

By Chris Piccirillo, Sound Senior Sports Writer:

For the past three years, Stephen Prota has been the bench coach for Branford baseball, and though he doesn’t get paid money as a volunteer assistant, the fulfillment Stephen gets from teaching athletes how to succeed both on and off the field is undoubtedly the best kind of payback.

Stephen, a 1977 graduate of Branford where he pitched and captained the football team, coaches both sports in town, something he started due to values imparted by his parents, who wanted their children to “find something we liked and give back to the community.”

Stephen thus embarked on a career that’s seen him serve as an assistant for the town’s American Legion squad as well as a handful of youth teams, most recently the Branford Sting 14-under club, for which he’s the head coach.

His coaching career came full circle a few years ago when Branford skipper George Dummar Jr., who actually had played against Stephen in American Legion, asked him if he wanted to join the team. Stephen accepted and what’s ensued has been an all-around positive experience as he enjoys offering guidance to his athletes while the program has continued its winning ways.

“I feel so thankful to coach baseball in Branford and take great pride in putting on the uniform I wore as a player,” says Stephen, 50, who lives in town with his wife, Rita, with whom he has two children, Christine and Stephanie. “I try to pass along my enthusiasm for baseball to the kids because I want them to have as much playing as I did and I get so much satisfaction when I hear that one of them did something good for their college team. That shows me they’re still having fun while staying actively involved.”

As far as his duties with the Hornets, Stephen has responsibilities that range from making sure the team’s defense is properly aligned to trying to pick up signals used by the opposition. But just as important is that Stephen is a pipeline of communication to Branford’s athletes and uses that role to teach them things which will benefit them far beyond the diamond.

“I emphasize to the kids that there’s no substitute for hard work and that goes beyond baseball because in life you have work hard in other areas, like college and at your job,” Stephen says. “That’s why if I ever feel one of our kids isn’t working hard enough, I’ll push them to work harder. I want our kids to take responsibility for their actions right now; I don’t want them to wait. When I see a kid make a mistake but take responsibility for it, that shows me they’re maturing and I love to see that.”

Another person who loves seeing that is Dummar.

“Stephen is a staple of our program and I can’t say enough about what he’s done to help us, from his knowledge of the game to the way he communicates,” Dummar says. “One of Stephen’s greatest assets is his demeanor for where some coaches tend to either fly off the handle or are too soft, Stephen delivers his points directly but without going overboard so the kids always listen to him and respect him.”

Recent graduate Casey Dadio is a prime example of that and much like Dummar, the captain has nothing but positive things to say about Stephen.

“Coach Prota is a great guy with positive energy who’s always there if you want to take extra ground balls or batting practice,” Dadio says. “One of the best things about Coach Prota is how he picks up on the little details of the game. I always used to drop my hands while batting and Coach would remind me about that after every pitch in practice and then come over and show me how to do it right. He wasn’t satisfied until he saw the improvement and eventually he saw it.”

Another thing Stephen recently saw was the Hornets win the Class L championship. And to make the full-circle aspect of his life even more complete, standing beside Stephen was fellow assistant Kevin McDonough, who coached him when he played freshman ball at Branford.

“This was a special group of kids who worked hard and worked well together,” Stephen says. “After we won, I looked over at Coach McDonough and saw the gleam in his eye and it was such an amazing feeling to think that both of us wound up here after 30 years.”

Pictured: Stephen Prota, bench coach for the Branford baseball team, stands beside senior Pat Simone before a recent game.
Photo courtesy of Gail Dadio