Board of Selectmen Meeting: Girl Scouts Honored and Town Legal Matters Change

This week’s Board of Selectman meeting included the re-referral of appointment of Tara Bartlett to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), the approval of Girl Scout Week and a last minute addition to the agenda, which included the town’s retainer of R. Bartley Halloran Law Offices under contingency.

Meeting in a Minute

• presented an announcement that the town will retain the law offices of R. Bartley Halloran to represent the town verses David S. Doyle and the Marcus Law Firm on a contingency basis (pdf attached), which the BOS approved. If the town wins the lawsuit against Doyle regarding negligence in handling the Tabor case lawsuit, they will pay Halloran 33 1/3 percent of total recovered money before deductions of liens, costs and expenses. If no recovery is made, Branford will not owe Halloran any attorney’s fees. Last week the court threw out one count against Marcus law firm, which the town will now be counter-sued on. The agreement with Halloran does not reflect fees on the counter-suit, which will be handled by the town’s insurance. The confidence of the law firm to work on a contingency basis shows the town has confidence in wining the suit according to BOS members. DaRos also mentioned the “Halloran report,” which has been said to exist and not exist, will be used during the trial and therefore information on the report will not be released.

• Monday, March 12 marks the 99th anniversary of Girl Scouts of America and the Board of Selectman declared March 6 to 12 as “Girl Scout Week.”

• A five-year shellfish bed lease granted for bed 540; resident’s lease of bed 547 was expiring and desire for new lease of bed 540 was approved. The annual fee is $965 per year for the bed lease.

• Abatement of property taxes at 628 Main St. (property acquired by the Soundview Family YMCA) approved.

• Pawnbroker’s license approved for Anthony Lomartra from Feb. 11, 2011- Feb. 10, 2012.

• Appointment of Tara Bartlett to town RTM re-referred on the basis that her appointment did not follow the town charter. The RTM moderator must notify the Town Clerk who will notify RTM members before an appointment can be brought up. The BOS asked to review the appointment at the next meeting.
• Branford new Solid Waster Director Laura Panciera was appointed to serve as the alternate for the Bristol Resource Recovery Facility Operating Committee. She will sit on the committee when DaRos, the committe's new secretary, can not.

• Public Works Director appointed to replace Ed Masotta on the Branford Public Works Building Committee.
• The following reappointments were made:
  William O'Brien to the the Academy on the Green (Jan. 30, 2016)
  Eliza Cleveland to the Board of Ethics (Jan. 30, 2016)
  Madeline Clem and Al Carfora to Board of Fire Commissioners (Jan. 31, 2014)
  Colleen McDonald and Eunice Lasala to Daniel Cosgrove Animal Shelter (Sept. 30, 2014)