Jamie Cosgrove Will Propose Public Building Commission Ordinance

Jamie Cosgrove Will Propose Public Building Commission Ordinance

New Senior Center and Public Works Building Will Be First Items on Agenda

October 8, 2013

Branford, CT – Jamie Cosgrove announced today that his first proposed ordinance as First Selectman will be the creation of a Public Building Commission, a permanent single public agency whose purpose will be to consolidate the design and construction of all public buildings under one agency in order to assure that our public buildings will meet the needs of residents and assure the lowest possible cost to the taxpayers.

“I think we learned over the last two years that the process of site selection and construction of public buildings has become way too political,” Cosgrove stated. “Even the committees and review mechanisms that are in place have been ignored or manipulated or both; that’s something that has got to change. People have lost faith in our decision-making process and we must restore their confidence.”    

The proposed ordinance will be modeled on similar Commissions in Connecticut and will be bi-partisan.  In addition to a set number of permanent members who will serve set terms of three years, Cosgrove intends to provide for the appointment of at least two (2) temporary members to represent the interests of those who will be using the building.  These members will serve for the duration of the project under consideration and will have full voting rights on items related to that project.  He also added that no more than one temporary member can be of the same party to prevent either party from “stacking the political deck.” 

Cosgrove stated that the temporary member provision would allow him to appoint individuals who will use and/or who are familiar with the needs of our seniors to the Commission to assist in developing alternatives for a new Senior Center. “It’s time our senior citizens had a better facility that meets the needs of our growing elderly population,” Cosgrove said.  “Residents who will use the facility deserve a seat at the table with an effective voice. This proposal assures that will happen.”

Cosgrove noted that his proposed Commission would select its own Chairman and develop its own rules and regulations for conducting Commission business.  The Commission would have specific duties and responsibilities with respect to all public building initiatives that include: feasibility studies, surveys, and program development.  Once a project has been approved, the Commission will be responsible for the design and construction of the project, including recommendations on project management.  “This kind of independent agency is the only way to prevent another costly fiasco like the one we witnessed on the Tabor Drive property,” Cosgrove said. “The Tabor mess cost the taxpayers multi-millions of dollars and at the end of the day, the citizens still have no building or ball fields.”

Cosgrove, who has consistently opposed the Tabor site as an acceptable place for a new Public Works Building, pointed to the frustration of many citizens involved in the STOP TABOR movement as one important reason for his proposal.   “The Commission is a good first step in assuring that something like the Tabor debacle never happens again in Branford.”   Cosgrove also noted that he has recently met with a group of seniors who also expressed support for the idea of a clear process for assuring that Senior Center needs are addressed.