In Like a Lion: March RTM Meeting Full of Roars

• Town presented a movement to save the town $370,000 in interest costs over the next decade, which is equivalent to $343,000 in today’s numbers. The cost-saving initiative comes about by refunding $6.3 million in outstanding bonds and replacing them at a lower interest rate. After the meeting, Finch said the town’s outstanding debt is somewhere at $47 million so this measure was acted to chip away at that number. “The tax payer needs to know the town looks at these things; we are taking a look at the interest rate market with the best interest of the town in mind.” The motion was passed.

• The of 1111 Main St., the current Board of Education offices, with the property located at 175 N. Main St., owned by Queach Corporation, was re-referred.

• The motion to investigate and if deemed necessary, repeal the Town Ordinance of 88-8 dealing with shellfish beds was re-referred to the April meeting.

• The two citizen petition items on the agenda brought by  resident Wayne Cooke were a topic of controversy. The consideration for investigation of and report on the use of town legal counsel by the was re-referred but the report on the powers and decision-making ability of the was voted down by the democrats (read full story here).

• The consideration to adopt a town ordinance establishing open land component of Connecticut Public Act 490 in accordance with the recommendation of Branford’s 2008 Plan of Conservation and Development was re-referred.

• The adoption of the ordinance that the town authorizes the requirement of any delinquent property taxes, applicable with respect to motor vehicles, be paid only in cash or by cashier’s check or money order when release is requested by the Department of Motor Vehicles was passed.

• The consideration to create an ordinance to define a procedure of notification when there is a substantive increase to taxation imposed on a property was re-referred.

• A transfer of funds for the of $940 from state fees and office supplies to send and employee to a conference and for membership fees was approved.

• Changes were approved to the new Strategic Review Committee Section 93-2 (B) (2).

• was  re-referred to be set up under a commission.*

*Originally, this item was listed as approved by mistake.