LETTER: Branford 'Well Situated' for Attracting 'High-Value Companies'

To the Editor:

In the next few years, Branford will face the challenge of building or renovating a new Senior Center, Public Works garage, and two schools while maintaining the Town’s valuable AAA bond rating and keeping the tax rate affordable. 

A big-box store, or even two will not be sufficient to expand Branford’s commercial tax base, as one of my opponents suggests.

Walmart pays only about $205,000 in property tax.

Data from Milford’s tax office indicates that in fiscal year 2010, the Milford Costco paid less than $280,000 in combined real estate, personal property and sewer taxes (about 0.0035% of Branford's tax levy in FY 2010, or a savings of about $14.25 of the tax bill on a $400,000 house.) 

The next First Selectman, working with the Economic Development Commission, must first maintain support for Branford’s existing businesses; second, continue our success in attracting high value businesses such as Durata Therapeutics and Ancera, LLC, a biotech development company, to existing available commercial space in town; and third, work with the State, the Regional Council of Governments and local developers to redevelop brownfield sites near the center of town such as the Exit 53/Commercial Parkway area and the MIF and Atlantic Wire sites. 

Branford is well situated for attracting biotech and other high-value companies to the existing business parks and other developable land near Exit 56.

Durata Therapeutics cited the presence of up-to-date water and sewer infrastructure and the well-trained and well-equipped emergency responders, especially the new fire headquarters, as important factors in their decision to locate in Branford. 

The Exit 53/Commercial Parkway area is ripe for development now.

The completion of the new railroad bridge, on budget and ahead of schedule, will allow construction of commercial buildings on the old JM Field and Sero Shirt sites to begin. These projects were awarded permits more than ten years ago pending completion of the bridge.

In addition, one of my first priorities will be to work with CT Department of Transportation to realign the Exit 53 off-ramp to connect with Commercial Parkway. The realignment will have several very positive effects.

First, it will make more than 20 acres of land, including the connector and land along the railroad tracks available for new development.

Second, eliminating the existing connector and making a minor realignment of the end of Main Street will create a four-way intersection with Rt. 1 and Commercial Parkway, converting the current series of three closely spaced intersections east of the railroad bridge to a single intersection, simplifying the traffic pattern and reducing congestion.

Finally, much of the Exit 53 traffic generated by the commercial expansion along Commercial Parkway will never get to Route 1, as that Exit 53 traffic would peel off before getting down to the realigned Route 1 intersection. 

I also plan to promote the repurposing of old industrial sites near the center of town such as Atlantic Wire and MIF.

I have already met with developers who are interested in investing in these properties and discussed their innovative ideas for improving these sites and enhancing their value.

Redevelopment of these properties will expand the downtown business district from Main Street and the Green down to the river and train station and enhance property values from Montowese Street to Kirkham Street.

This will not merely protect our downtown, but enrich it by bringing new investment dollars, solidifying the core. 

I look forward to working with Branford agencies and residents to begin to implement these improvements. To borrow the motto of the 4H organization, I will work every day “To Make The Best Better.” Please join me! 

Andrew J. Campbell  
Selectman, Town of Branford